Why a Spine Surgeon?
While spine procedures have been successfully performed for over 100 years, the
field of spinal surgery has seen a technological explosion over the past twenty years.
The variety of instrumentation systems for spinal fusion, non-fusion technologies
including artificial discs replacements for the cervical and lumbar spine and new
minimally-invasive techniques and technologies make it essential for your surgeon
to dedicate himself to the field of spinal surgery. No longer can the general
orthopaedic surgeon or neurosurgeon stay current with the array of technologies
and techniques to provide patients with optimal outcomes. Below are some basic
questions that you should ask your surgeon prior to consenting to treatment.
1.
Are you a board-certified by your specialty organization?
Orthopaedic Surgeons and Neurosurgeons must complete a two-part
certification exam that tests a broad base of knowledge in their respective
fields. The first part is a written exam usually taken at the end of
residency training. The second part, an oral exam, is taken after the
physician has been “in practice” for two years. These exams assess the
breadth of knowledge in a particular field as well as a physicians
indications (their reason for suggesting surgery) and technical
competence in completing their surgeries. Board Certification
demonstrates that a physician practices with competence and within
basic ethical standard.
2.
Are you fellowship-trained in spinal surgery?
A fellowship is an extra year, or two, of additional sub-specialty training.
This is completed after residency training. A fellowship-trained spine
surgeon has completed additional training in the diagnosis and
treatment, both surgical and non-surgical, of spinal disorders.
3.
What percentage of your practice is dedicated to Spine Surgery?
Both orthopaedic surgeons and neurosurgeons are “board-certified” to
perform an array of procedures. In addition to the Spine, Orthopaedic
Surgeons specialize in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders of the
shoulder, elbow, wrist, hips, knees and ankles as well as all the bones that
connect those joints. Neurosurgeons specialize in the treatment of
disorders of the nervous system including the Brain and Spinal Cord.
It is important to have a surgeon who dedicates his or her practice to
spinal surgery. Numerous studies demonstrate that better surgical
outcomes are directly correlated with the number of those procedures
done per year by your surgeon.
New Jersey Spine Center is dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of
spinal pathology.
4.
Who covers you when you are away?
Because most orthopaedic surgeons and neurosurgeons do not perform
spine surgery, it is important to know that your surgeon has coverage
when he or she is not available. New Jersey Spine Center has three boardcertified spine surgeons and one board-certified non-operative spine
specialist. There is always a spine surgeon available should you have a
question or, worse, an emergency. Most likely, you will know each of us
from your time in the office or in the hospital after surgery.
5.
Do you use a microscope?
While not every spine procedure requires a microscope, it is important
for your surgeon to have expertise in using a microscope. Microsurgical
technique minimizes the size of your incision and amount of tissue that
needs to be dissected or removed to complete your surgery. Less tissue
dissection correlates with less post-operative pain, a quicker recovery
and earlier return to function.