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Back and neck pain
Spinal degenerative disease and related disorders
Who should perform my operation?
Patients are sometimes confused about whether they should see an orthopaedic surgeon or a neurosurgeon. The spine is an area of ‘territorial overlap’ between these two surgical disciplines. Some spinal operations fall entirely in the realm of the orthopaedic surgeon, for example correction of major bony deformities.
Other conditions are solely the responsibility of neurosurgeons, for example cysts or tumours within the spinal cord itself. Occasionally the combined skills of both specialists are needed. There remain a number of conditions which can be dealt with adequately by either specialist and uncomplicated disc herniations form the commonest example. In general, degenerative disease of the neck is more likely to be referred to a neurosurgeon while the more complex disorders of the lumbar spine, particularly those requiring fusions, will probably be dealt with by an orthopaedic surgeon.
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Contents
- Introduction
- What causes spinal pain?
- Why do I experience different types of pain?
- What other symptoms can develop?
- How common are spinal problems?
- Could it be something serious?
- What will happen if the pain is not treated?
- What do the various words used by doctors mean?
- What tests can be performed?
- How is spinal pain treated?
- When is an operation necessary?
- What do you recommend, doctor?
- Who should perform my operation?
- What are the drawbacks of surgery?
- What is the recovery period?
- What is surgery fails?
- What advances are likely in the future?
- Conclusions
- Other organisations that may be able to help
