In addition to the usual surgical residency requirements, both neurosurgery and orthopedic surgery specialties offer fellowship programs in spine that include an additional year of training specific to spine surgery. At the very least, your surgeon should be board certified or board eligible in orthopedic or neurological surgery.
Image Guidance Technology is also used by your surgeon to create a virtual model of your spine while the surgery takes place. This technology allows the surgeon to place the surgery with greater precision. This technology reduces the risk of non-union and failure to fuse. It is the most safest method for minimally invasive spine surgery.
The surgeon's role in education and assistance is to provide information and explain your options. You should choose a surgeon that is willing to help you make the right decision.
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Doctors who wish to become spine surgeons should complete their medical school. Specialists in Neurological Surgery and orthopedic Surgery can subspecialize in spine surgery. Doctors who have completed their residency must spend one or more years in fellowship training in spine surgery.
Other conditions could also be considered degenerative. They cause the structures that they affect to slowly deteriorate, or even break down. The degenerative spine condition may cause disc disease and arthritis, as well as spinal stenosis and herniated/ruptured discs. Although gradual degeneration of the joints and other structures may be due to aging, gradual wear-and tear or aging can also cause it. It can also be caused genetics, unhealthy lifestyle choices or repetitive motions.
Minimally invasive surgery for the spine achieves the exact same goal as open surgical, but with smaller incisions.
Many patients are curious about which surgeon should perform their spine surgeries: a surgeon who specializes in orthopedic surgery or a neurosurgeon. Although each specialty has different training, both are equally qualified in most aspects of spine surgery. Sometimes, neurosurgeons and orthopedists will work together on a particular case.
Minimally invasive back surgery accomplishes the exact same thing as open surgery, but with fewer incisions.
Sometimes, conditions can be called degenerative. This means that they cause the structures they influence to gradually deteriorate and break down. A degenerative spinal disease could lead to disc disease, arthritis or spinal stenosis. While gradual degeneration can be due just to aging and wear, it can also result from genetics, poor lifestyle choices, repetitive motions, and overuse.
The full spectrum of disorders and conditions that affect the spine are treated by our experts. Some conditions can be present from birth while others are acquired over time, trauma, age, or disease.
The following are some general considerations to consider when choosing a spine surgeon.
Even after a successful surgical procedure, recovery can take time. It can take several months to heal depending on what kind of surgery you have had. Your ability to move around may be permanently reduced.
Conditions may also be degenerative, meaning that they cause the structures they affect to gradually deteriorate or break down over time. Disc disease, arthritis, spinal stenosis, and herniated or ruptured discs are all examples of conditions that may be caused by degenerative spine disease. The gradual degeneration of joints and other structures can occur due to gradual wear-and-tear or aging, but it can also occur due to genetics, unhealthy lifestyle choices, repetitive motions or overuse.
Patients frequently ask which type of surgeon should perform spine surgery. An orthopedic or neurosurgeon? Although each specialty is different in their training, they are both equally qualified to perform most spine surgery. However, there are exceptions: a neurosurgeon can be better suited for surgery on tumors and an orthopedic doctor for deformity. Both neurosurgeons as well as orthopedic surgeons are often able to work together on a case or in the operating area.
Collaborative treatment plans. Our spine experts work together to create the treatment plan that is most appropriate for your goals, lifestyle, and overall health. We help you understand all options and ensure you are comfortable and confident with your treatment plan.
Advanced spine treatment: Our spine specialists provide cutting-edge treatments to treat spine disorders and injuries. Spine Surgery NYC, one of 50 national training centers, teaches surgeons the correct technique for disc replacement (disc arthroplasty). Spine Surgery NYC orthopaedic doctors were the first ones to understand how to harness the body's natural proteins to reduce pain and speed healing after spine fusion surgery.
Spinal Fusion. This is the most common procedure for chronic nonspecific pain in the back with degenerative changes. The doctor will attach the spinal bones together, also known as vertebrae. This restricts their motion and the range of your nerves' movement. This won't necessarily limit your activity. Although it's rare, sometimes the bones don�t fuse fully. Smoking can increase the likelihood of this problem. This may mean that you will need to undergo another operation.
You have reached a point where your pain has become so severe that you are considering spine surgery. Spine Surgery NYC often gets asked the following questions: What are the most important questions to ask a spine surgeon?
You should get a second opinion of a spine specialist before you agree to back operation. Many spine surgeons have differing opinions about when, what type and how much surgery is appropriate. The diagnosis and treatment of leg and back pain can be complex.
Spinal fusion. This is the most commonly performed surgery for chronic, nonspecific back pain that has degenerative changes. The doctor will join vertebrae, or spinal bones, together. This prevents them from moving together and restricts how far you can stretch your nerves. It shouldn't hinder your activities. Although rare, some bones may not fuse fully. Smoking may make this more likely. If this happens, another operation may be necessary to fix it.