Spine Surgery
Spine surgery is usually considered only after nonsurgical treatments have been tried, or when complications such as severely herniated discs or damaged vertebrae simply will not respond to nonsurgical treatments. The goal of spine treatment is to address the root of the problem, while causing the least amount of disruption to the patient’s lifestyle.
In cases when surgery is the right course of action, it is vital for you to play an active role in selecting the best spine surgeon for you. You should seek out a surgeon who specializes in spine problems who focuses on the spine.
Dr. Radcliff is a highly experienced spine specialist, having performed thousands of spine surgeries.
“I caution patients to do their homework on their choice of physician – ask about your surgeon’s spine fellowship training,” Dr. Radcliff says. ” It takes six to seven years to become trained to do spine surgery, including fusions. If you need a surgical procedure, you owe it to yourself to see a qualified surgeon.”
Choose a physician with your best interests at heart.
Dr. Radcliff helps patients exhaust non-surgical treatment options for back and neck pain in advance of spine surgery.
“Many patients benefit from spine therapy that makes the back and neck stronger, more flexible, and more resistant to future strain,” explains Dr. Radcliff.
“We often see patients who are still in pain after a previous spine surgery. For any patient considering surgery, we recommend a second opinion from a fellowship-trained spine surgeon who is proficient in the latest minimally invasive techniques and instrumentation.”
“For example, of those who come to us for a second opinion where the first surgeon advised them to have spine surgery, many times we can recommend a non-surgical treatment option,” Dr. Radcliff adds. “For those who do need back surgery to address serious problems with herniated discs or facet joint problems, we are often able to recommend a minimally invasive spine surgery option that is less complicated, less risky, and often allows the patient to go home the same day.”
