Spine Doctor?

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a1abob

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I have a simple question and please pardon my ignorance. Is a spine doctor the same as a nuerosurgeon? If there is a difference if someone can shed some light and let me know the difference I would surely appreciate it. And where does an orthopedic surgeon fit into the equation when it comes to lower back problems stemming from a degenerating disc between L4 and L5.

As I stated in a previous post, I have had lower back pain for 3 months and the orthopedic sureon took x rays and told me the disc was disinegrating and it showed arthritis and had me do some physical threrapy and not much more. He never ordered an MRI for potential other problems such as nerve damage. Do I need to see more of a specialist than the orthopedic surgeon.

Thanks for any advice,
Bob
 
No problem... Spinal Ortho Surgeon usualy a dr who does all the "work": like fusions, instrumentations and a lot more.
NS DR is responsible for the Nerve system in your spine. Usually both of them can give you a priceless advices, it will not hurt you to see both of them especally if you have any symptoms of nerve damage or nerve pain.
Good luck to you.
 
Hi Bob,
You can either see an ortho (skeletal) or a neuro (central nervous system) just make sure they treat spine patients and have a fellowship in the spine. You can find this out if you ask when you call to make an appt. Just tell them your a new patient and your looking for a dr. that did a fellowship for the spine. It's not insulting to do this, you should be informed about your dr.'s knowledge in your problem. If they have done a fellowship in the spine they have, I believe, 4 years of study in the spine, above & beyond their normal schooling. So you see why it is more beneficial to have the fellowship. You also want a dr. that treats only spine patients instead of one that does shoulders, elbows and so on. Treating only the spine guarantees you that they do this on a daily basis and has more "practice", for lack of a better word, in every aspect of spine treatment available. It certainly wouldn't hurt to get an ortho & a neuro's opinion since most spine problems do involve both bone & nerve issues. Most times you will end up with only one or the other as your dr. but they may consult one another on your treatment.

I hope this info helped make things less confusing, it is very confusing when you first get into this mess. Please dont' hesitate to ask questions on here, that why we are all here to help one another.

Good Luck

God BLess

crol
 
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