What does an orthopaedic spine surgeon do?

When it comes to symptoms related to your spine, there are many different providers that can offer advice and care.  For most episodes of low back pain, for example, most patients can be adequately evaluated by a primary care physician, physical therapist, or chiropractor.  And fortunately, the vast majority of patients with neck and back symptoms are treated without surgery.

There are some spine-related conditions in which surgery is used to manage severe symptoms.  As an orthopaedic spine surgeon, I routinely surgically treat nerve pain from disc herniations and spinal stenosis with procedures such as a  microdiscectomy, cervical discectomy and fusion, or laminectomy.  Orthopaedic surgeons also have a long history of treating spinal curvatures in children and adults, as well as working with bone and implants throughout the body.  In the spine, these procedures are generally referred to as a spinal fusion and are used to treat instability of the spine due to fractures, tumors, infections, or arthritis.  

Orthopaedic spine surgeons complete a specialized training program called a fellowship.  Fellowships are taught and mentored by thought leaders around the nation and around the world.  Successful completion of this training indicates a level of expertise and dedication beyond general training requirements.  When looking for a spine specialist, I would strongly consider a fellowship-trained, board-certified surgeon.