Orthopedic Surgeon vs Neurosurgeon for Spine Surgery

• Dr Harmesh kapoor

Orthopedic Surgeon vs Neurosurgeon for Spine Surgery

Patients thinking about spine surgery may ask: "Which one is better, a surgeon or an orthopedic surgeon?" For most types of spine surgery, both neurosurgeons and specially trained orthopedic surgeons can be considered. This article discusses the differences and similarities between these specialties and offers additional guidance on choosing a spine surgeon.

Orthopedic Surgeons and Neurosurgeons can specialize in Spine Surgery.

Many years ago, spine surgery was performed primarily by neurosurgeons. However, spine surgery has developed in the last 20-25 years so that both orthopedic and neurosurgeons can perform the most common spine surgeries.

Surgeons can subspecialize in both the pediatrics and lumbar spine specialties. For example, surgeons who specialize or are trained in hand and wrist surgery, plastics surgery, and other procedures.

Neurosurgeons

A neurosurgeon can be a Medical Doctor or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. They complete a residency of five to six years, focusing on the surgical treatment of neurological disorders. The diagnosis and treatment for disorders that involve:

• Brain

• Spine, spinal cord

• Nerves

• Intracranial, intraspinal vasculature

Some neurosurgeons are specialists in brain surgery, while others specialize in spine surgery. Others split their practice among the two.

Orthopedic Surgeons

Orthopedic surgeons can be either Medical Doctors (MD) or Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) who have completed a five-year surgical residency focusing on treating musculoskeletal disorders. Orthopedists are trained in diagnosing and treating almost every bone and joint disorder, including:

• Spinal disorders

• Arthritis

• Sports injuries

• Trauma

• Bone Tumors

• Deformities and injuries to the hands

• Total joint replacement

While some orthopedic surgeons concentrate their practice on spine surgery, others focus on other types of joints (e.g., Some orthopedic surgeons focus exclusively on spine surgery, while others specialize in other types of joints (e.g., hips, knees, and shoulders). Others split their practice between two or more areas.

While both orthopedic and neurosurgeons can complete fellowship training in most types of spine surgeries, there are some types of spine surgery where one specialty is more skilled than the other.

• In the past, orthopedists were more qualified to perform spinal deformity surgery. This included scoliosis and other types of spinal deformity. Many neurosurgeons are trained in deformity surgeries today.

• Intradural surgery is a procedure that involves the removal of dura from the spinal cord. This includes the treatment of sac tumors.

Spine Fellowships

These fellowships offer additional training for neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons who have completed their residency and are eligible to apply for their board certification.

A spine fellowship signifies that a surgeon has chosen to specialize and is willing to invest in additional training.

However, this was not always true. It was rare for neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons to complete a fellowship program in spine surgery before it was recognized as a subspecialty. If a surgeon has been in practice for this long, they may have received additional training in spine surgery.