James Frank Bethea, MD

James Frank Bethea, MD is an orthopedic surgeon in Charleston, SC. He provides general orthopaedic care and non‑operative foot and ankle treatment to patients in the Charleston area and surrounding communities, including the West Ashley and Mount Pleasant locations of MUSC Health Orthopaedics. Dr. Bethea’s practice has earned a rating of 2.40 based on seven online reviews.

Dr. Bethea earned a Bachelor of Science in pre‑medical studies from Davidson College in 1973 and received his M.D. from the Medical University of SC in 1977, completing his residency there in 1982. He spent much of his career in Columbia, SC, where he served as president of the SC Orthopaedic Association, president of the Columbia Medical Society, and chairman of the Department of Orthopaedics at Providence‑Palmetto Richland Hospital. He is a member of the Southern Orthopaedic Association and a former board of councilors with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. His clinical focus is on general orthopaedics and non‑operative treatment of foot and ankle conditions, and he offers services in English.

The office is located at 2060 Sam Rittenberg Blvd in Charleston, directly on Sam Rittenberg Boulevard. It sits about 0.2 miles from Savannah Highway and the NOAA Fisheries police station, and is similarly close to Orleans Road. Within roughly 0.4 miles are the MUSC West Campus clinic and Citadel Mall, providing convenient access for patients traveling in the area.

With decades of orthopedic experience and a dedicated focus on non‑operative foot and ankle care, Dr. Bethea delivers specialized orthopedic services to the Charleston community.

Services:

• Elbow Arthroplasty
• MRI Review Service
• Orthopaedic Surgery
• Post-surgical Rehabilitation Coordination
• Shoulder Arthroscopy
• Spine Surgery
• Sports Injuries
• Total Shoulder Replacement