Neurosurgeon vs orthopedic surgeon

[badback4me]

I have been trying to find a different doc here for a second opinion. I have had 2 neurosurgeons specializing in spines come highly recommended. Can neurosurgeons do what I need, which is extending my fusion from T-3 up into my cervical spine? I guess I always thought only ortho docs did the instrumentation stuff. Any info or opinions on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[jrnyc]

i think you may find some doctors who bill themselves as both...
for me...i'm consulting with orthopedic surgeon guys (so far, all have been men)...& consulting & consulting...am in no hurry...for now..but i am getting closer to making a decision...

jess

[LindaRacine]

Hi...

Neurosurgeons deal with a lot more than the spine usually, and aren't heavily trained in terms of long spine fusions. So, if you're going to select one, I'd make sure they did a spine fellowship. You can usually find a surgeon's CV or bio online by doing a Google search.

Regards,
Linda

[JulieBW]

Revision?

If it is revision surgery, I don't believe I would trust a neurosurgeon without this specific kind of experience.

[rainbow2010]

I went to a neurosurgeon for my revision and he was only of limited help. I ended up going to an ortho for problems that developed post-op. The neuro wasn't sure what to do other than remove part of my fusion and misdiagnosed protruding discs as a compression fracture. He told me it happened when I fell. I told him I hadn't fallen, so how could it happen. He wanted to operate to fix the vertabrae and that's when I went to an ortho for a second opinion. He looked at all my CT scans, xrays and MRI and showed me the discs bulging.

[loves to skate]

I have been trying to find a different doc here for a second opinion. I have had 2 neurosurgeons specializing in spines come highly recommended. Can neurosurgeons do what I need, which is extending my fusion from T-3 up into my cervical spine? I guess I always thought only ortho docs did the instrumentation stuff. Any info or opinions on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Go with an Orthopedic Surgeon who is SRS. I went to a Neurosurgeon first and he said he wouldn't operate on me unless I was in a wheelchair. The Ortho Surgeon I finally went to told me that the Neurosurgeon I saw doesn't even do scoliosis surgery. I wonder why the Neurosurgeon didn't tell me that? I think he was an arrogant SOB!