what orthopaedics?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Brosiah
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Brosiah

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It was recently found that I have a bulging disk in the L5-S1 area (by an mri) my pcp is sending me to what she called a 'spine' doctor. I have exreame sciatic pain and pain in the lower left back. ( It makes walking without a cane very very painful and Im 26!)
Anyway the doctor sent me paperwork to fill out before my appt. and it says Orthopaedics and Sport medicine clinic. What kind if doctor is that?? And if you have ever been to one what can they do for me? I thought since my nerves are affected I would see a dr. that deals with nerve pain.
Anyway any info is appreciated
 
Spine docs come in 2 forms..the orthopedic spine specialist and the neurosurgeon spine specialist. There is no such thing as a "spine doc" and no organization that tests them or follows them. It is being worked on but right now any doc who has been through a residency in orthopedics or neurosurgery can take an additional residency in spine surgery and hang out a shingle whether they do 1 spine surgery a month or like my doc, does nothing but spine surgery 4 days a week.

Your ortho can do a lot to help you including surgery. They are well trained and usually if they must expose the spinal cord, they usually bring in a neurosurgeon to assist. Your pain is from a nerve being pinched somewhere and if it's in danger of dying(the nerve) then they may have to free it up before it dies. Dead nerves equal paralysis. An ortho spine doc is a good start.

Good luck................Jenny
 
Well Brosiah, this is the result of my search:

Orthopaedics is the medical specialty that focuses on injuries and diseases of your body's musculoskeletal system. This complex system includes your bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerves and allows you to move, work, and be active.
 
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