Choosing A Spine Surgeon

At some point in your life, you probably have experienced low back pain. Most cases of low back pain are not serious and can be managed through non-surgical means. However, serious low back pain can disable a person and affect his or her life dramatically. The severity of pain depends from person to person, and many people have to decide whether they need medical attention or not. Low back pain may be a symptom of a serious condition so it should be seen by a doctor. But you don’t usually need to see a spine surgeon at first.

Your doctor would most likely recommend spine surgery as a last resort. If your doctor recommends spine surgery right away, consider getting a second opinion. If the other physician recommends the same thing, make sure you understand why you need the operation, and what can happen if you choose not to.

The spine surgeon should tell you why you need to undergo spine surgery. This can be a risky procedure, so he should explain to you the risks. Because you are the patient, the decision whether or not to undergo the procedure is yours to make. The responsibility of the surgeon is to explain to you your options and the pros and cons of each. If you don’t want to go through surgery, he or she will tell you the alternatives. Surgeons are aware that not all patients are willing due to financial or personal issues. Good surgeons will not hesitate to explain to their patients their options and to provide impartial advice.

Take note that spine surgeons work in a specific area of the vast field of orthopedics. If you are seeing an orthopedist, he or she will probably direct you to an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in spine surgery. Spine surgeons are more trained and skilled in spine surgery than general orthopedists. Another type of surgeon that can handle spine surgery is the neurosurgeon. Spine surgeons and neurosurgeons have important differences in terms of the scope of disorders that can deal with. Spine surgeons are better suited for deformities, while neurosurgeons are the better option for cases of tumors. Both surgeons may be seen working together in the operating room.

Spine surgery is a delicate procedure that should be done only by licensed surgeons. To avoid coming in contact with unlicensed surgeons, who could put your health or life at risk, make sure to ask your GP or orthopedist to recommend a qualified spinal orthopedic surgeon or neurosurgeon in town. You may want to ask the physician for his or her license, although most patients find it awkward to do that.

There are different spine surgeons in the country, and it is important to know who to go to. You could risk your money and life to someone who has just finished sub-specialty in spine surgery. Or you can seek senior spine doctors who have been in the field for decades. Spine surgeons with big names have services that come with a high price tag. Is that okay with you?

Before you go through surgical procedure or whatever medical procedure, make sure you understand the disorder being treated. Any type of doctor, whether an orthopedic surgeon or a neurosurgeon, should give details about your disorder and about its progress if left untreated. Again, you should understand the risks as well as the benefits of the procedure.

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