Tips for Choosing a Spine Surgeon

Choosing a spine surgeon is an important step, especially since there are multiple types of surgery and techniques for performing it. When interviewing surgeons, it is important to know what questions to ask, how to evaluate the pros and cons and how to learn more about the spine surgeon and their practice. We encourage anyone considering surgery to visit our office and to ask the questions below.

Questions to ask a spine surgeon

Here are a few background questions that should be asked of any spine surgeon:

• How long has the surgeon been performing surgery?
• Do they specialize in the spine exclusively?
• Do they have other specialties?
• Will they be performing the surgery, or do they work as a team?

Ask questions about the actual procedure as well:

• Is there more than one type of spine surgery that could help me? If so, what are the pros and cons to both?
• How long will the surgery take?
• Where will the surgery be conducted?
• Will I be hospitalized, and what is the recovery process going to be?
• What can I expect from this procedure? What are the anticipated results?
• What do they think about the specific case?

Any questions that a person can think of should be asked during this first appointment in order to make an informed decision regarding how to move forward.

Tips for choosing a spine surgeon

First, get answers to the questions above so a basic pros and cons analysis of the actual surgery can be completed. We only recommend surgery for patients who we feel are healthy enough for surgery and who will receive clear benefits by undergoing it. For example, if someone should try physical therapy first, we will make that recommendation. With that in mind, it is important for patients to choose the best surgeon to handle their case. That decision should be based on the following:

• Availability of the surgeon
• Their approach to surgery and if it is aligned with what a patient wants
• Reputation
• If they are in-network with a patient’s insurance

Why is choosing a surgeon important?

If surgery is needed, it is wise to choose a surgeon right away. Not doing so can lead to unnecessary suffering caused by back pain that could be relieved. Keep in mind that surgery must be planned in advance, making it important to schedule the initial consultation and get the process started.

Call us to schedule a consultation

Spine surgery can help correct back issues while reducing any discomfort that a patient might feel on a daily basis. Learn more about this option and how it can help you by scheduling an appointment with our office today.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with Randall Porter, M.D., request an appointment in our Phoenix surgeon's office here: https://arizonaneurosurgeon.com. Or call us at (602) 603-8951.

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