nuroligist verses orthopedic surgon

[Hollyhock]

My husband is having a great deal of back problems, To the point we are now thinking about having surgery. His doctor is an orthopedic doctor and has only treated the symptoms with pain med and therapy, and lots of time off work. He does not like to do surgery and we are begining to think we need another opinion. We were wondering which type of Physician he should or to, orthopedic or neurologist. They both do surgery on the spine. I know he has spinal stenosis, bone spurs,sculiosis as well as other things. Somone out there must work in those areas. What would be the diference in going to a neuroligist compared to an orthopedic? Thanks.

[suzanne4, RN]

A neurologist is a medical doctor and doesn't do surgery. What you want is a neurosurgeon.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

The neuro surgeon would help if he's having pain from things like a herniated disc. Sounds like what your are describing are orthopedic problems you are describing musculoskeletal problems. Neurosurgeons however, do deal with orthopedic problems in the back, particuarly when caused by trauma, so I think it would be appropriate to get a 2nd opinion from a neurosurgeon.

As for what is the difference, I really can't say, as when it comes to that area those both do similar work.

For me, since I've worked in both neuro and ortho trauma, if it were my spouse or myself, I would visit a neuro surgeon for back problems. Primarily that's because I think like the neurosurgeons here better.

Good luck.

[CritterLover, BSN, RN]

while i can't explain what the differences are, neurosurgeons and orthopods treat spinal injuries differently. meaning, if they are both treating the exact same injury, they will often use a different approach to the treatment. i don't know that one way is inherently better than the other. however, i agree with tweety: in the area where i live (and its not the same part of the country), i would see a neurosurgeon.

that being said, my mother, who lives in yet another part of the country, was under the care of a neurosurgeon for years for her back problems. she didn't get any relief until she changed to an orthopod.

no clear answers, but if you are not happy with the care he is receiving, i would definatly seek a second opinion, and probably of the other specialty (neurosurgery).

[Hollyhock]

A neurologist is a medical doctor and doesn't do surgery. What you want is a neurosurgeon.

Thanks. How would a nurosurgen treat differently than an orthopedic surgen? It seems that what they would do would be similar.

[Nurse Ratched, RN]

You might consider a physiatrist. In my area, only physiatrists and neurosurgeons will touch back issues. Orthopods do not.

[CritterLover, BSN, RN]

thanks. how would a nurosurgen treat differently than an orthopedic surgen? it seems that what they would do would be similar.

i'm not really sure of the specifics. i worked in a level 1 trauma center for several years. one thing that still sticks in my mind was the treatment of certain types of c2 fractures. ortho would put them in a halo, while neurosurg would take them to the or. when i asked about the differences, all i was told is that it is due to the different phillosophies and different ways they are trained. the impression i got was that neuro is more likely to operate, while orhto is more likely to brace and watch, but that might not be an accuarate impression. it is, however, a great question to ask your doctors, and one they should be happy to answer.

(by the way, in my mom's case, it was neurosurg that "sat" on her back problems for years; it was an orthopod that finally took her to surgery and fixed it.)

[Hollyhock]

IT is hard to know what to do, and some people seem to think that diferent areas treat the same problem diferently. Thanks