neurosurgeon or orthopedic surgeon for sciatica

Some indications for spine surgery include spinal cord compression resulting from trauma, arthritis of the spinal discs, or spondylosis. For cases of sciatica that do not resolve quickly on their own, or cases that do not respond to exercise and mild pain medicine, an orthopedic surgeon … "As your Neurosurgeon, I am committed to providing you a personalized approach using highly skilled training, experience and advanced technology. Many years ago, neurosurgeons were primarily responsible for spine surgery, but in the past 20 to 25 years spine surgery has evolved so that both neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons specialize in spine surgery, and for most of the typical spine operations both types of surgeons are equally well qualified. Most general cases of sciatica resolve themselves on their own; doctors will occasionally prescribe exercise and anti-inflammatory medications to help with the pain. You want to choose a neurosurgeon or orthopedic surgeon that can perform true minimally invasive spine surgery using tubular retractors and muscle sparing techniques. Changing postures may either aggravate or relieve the pain. Sciatic nerve irritation causes pain that radiates down the leg from the low back or buttocks. Orthopaedic Surgeons. Please check with the appropriate physician regarding health questions and concerns. CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS. With microdiscectomy, you only need to spend a few hours in the medical facility before you can go home, though some patients stay overnight. However the real benefit is preserving the muscles and avoiding disruption of adjacent levels. I haven’t seen a neurosurgeon yet but I have seen an orthopedic spine specialist who I really liked. Pain may … Although we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee to that effect is made. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. Dr Timothy Steel is a leading neurosurgeon and spine surgeon in Sydney with more than 21 years experience as a consultant neurosurgeon. The symptoms of sciatica can be caused by irritation of the nerves from mechanical compression from bulging/herniated discs, or bone spurs in the low back. Patients with complicated cases of sciatica that feature compression because of nerve problems seek treatment from a neurologist, or a specialist in the nervous system. After medical school, neurosurgeons did neurosurgery residency. Sciatica refers to the pain that radiates down the path of the sciatic nerve. The spinal cord is essentially an extension of the brain and even the slightest injury can result in irreversible damage that may cause weakness, sensory loss, or paralysis. Sciatic nerve irritation causes pain that radiates down the leg from the low back or buttocks. Sciatica that does not respond to non-surgical treatment, or cases of sciatica that stem from complicated problems, such as rare circumstances when the sciatic nerve threads through the pelvis the wrong way, are good cases to take to a neurosurgeon. There are almost 10 times more orthopedic surgeons than neurosurgeons currently practicing in the US which may explain why a significant number of spinal surgeries are performed by orthopedic surgeons. Patients today can seek consultation with either a neurosurgeon or orthopedic surgeon who is appropriately trained and who has devoted his or her practice to spinal disorders. However, if your pain is caused by a pinched or damaged nerve, your best bet for relief may be a neurosurgeon. I agree with the comments that you can’t go wrong with either, but read patient testimonials!!! For most types of spine surgery, careful selection of the individual surgeon is far more important than whether the surgeon is a neurosurgeon or orthopedic surgeon. Surgery for sciatica is performed to improve leg pain, if you have a significant amount of back pain as well then this may not improve after surgery. Sciatica is a condition that occurs when nerve roots are compressed or irritated in the area of the spine located in the lower back. The pain from sciatica is usually limited to one side of the body. All this means that, while there are some areas of overlap between the orthopedic surgeon and the neurosurgeon, their specialized competencies diverge as much if not more than they converge. But, this isn’t always the case. What Are the Treatments for Pinch Nerve in Lower Back? If your sciatica results from cauda equina syndrome, spinal tumors, or infection, then immediate medical attention may be necessary. When it comes to spine surgery, it cannot be stressed enough: Choosing the right type of doctor for you is everything. Typically, sciatica affects only one side of your body.Sciatica most commonly occurs when a herniated disk, bone spur on the spine or narrowing of the spine (spinal stenosis) compresses part of the nerve. He will have expertise in management of the pain and in handling the lower back issues that may be causing the sciatica. It results from the inflammation of the sciatic nerve in your lower back. Certain postures may affect sciatica pain. Another option for treatment of sciatica is to visit a chiropractor. This is always an advantage, since herniated disc surgery should always be a last resort option. Another option for treatment of sciatica is to visit a chiropractor. Much of his time as a neurosurgeon has been spent at the leading edge of spine surgery in Australia, helping people attain a better quality of life. Job Title Educational Requirements Median Salary Job Outlook (2018-2028)* Neurosurgeon : Medical Degree : $409,361 (2020)** 7% for all Physicians and Surgeons: Orthopedic Surgeon … Sciatica refers to pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which branches from your lower back through your hips and buttocks and down each leg. Treatment may involve rest, anti-inflammatories, steroid injections and physical therapy. share. The two main surgical options for sciatica are diskectomy and laminectomy. An orthopedic surgeon focuses on treatment of the musculoskeletal system including bones, joints, ligaments, muscles and tendons. You may have pain, especially when you move, sneeze, or cough. Make sure to remember this before undergoing surgery … Injury to these blood vessels may also result in irreversible spinal cord damage. What are your goals for this surgery? There are general orthopedic surgeons and are others who specialize in one area of the body such as: hand, foot and ankle, hip and knee, shoulder and elbow, or spine. We work hard to provide you the best care! Neurologist or Orthopedist for Herniated Discs Guidance The Content on this Site is presented in a summary fashion, and is intended to be used for educational and entertainment purposes only. Simple - because what DISC offers is not available anywhere else. Pain that travels from your low back down to your leg is often a sign of sciatica, which is a common source of sudden, unexpected pain. Fortunately, many different kinds of doctors can treat sciatica. Meet the DISC Team . Caused by compression on the sciatic nerve, which runs from the center of the lower back down the back of the leg to the calf muscle, the pain can be intense and long-lasting. Do you have questions about picking a neurosurgeon spinal surgery? We look forward to serving you! When selecting your surgeon, look carefully at their credentials for fellowship training. An orthopedic surgeon is trained to deal primarily with the bones and joints - the residency training period after internship is 3 or 4 years - then a fellowship in spine may be an additional year. Chiropractic specialists help to realign the spine and body to its natural state which will improve its ability to heal itself, rather than having to use invasive or medication-based treatment. For a decompression or microdiscectomy to address nerve pain, on the other hand, you would choose a neurosurgeon. Oklahoma City Oklahoma Orthopedic Surgeon Doctors physician directory - Read about sciatica pain treatment, symptoms, causes, therapy, and pain relief. Sciatica may feel like a bad leg cramp, with pain that is sharp ("knife-like"), or electrical. Ultimately, both orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons have the potential to develop into excellent spinal surgeons. Orthopedic residency is typically 5 years and time dedicated to spinal surgery often varies. Therefore most orthopedic spine surgeons pursue spine fellowships in an effort to increase their proficiency in spinal surgery after residency. A spine surgeon who be either an orthopedic spine surgeon or a neurosurgeon that specializes in spine surgery. Sciatica treatment includes a variety of methods, including medication, physical therapy, steroid injections, and surgery from an orthopedic surgeon. Orthopedic Surgeon location in Pearland, Bellaire, & Lake Jackson, TX Sciatica may begin as an aggravating lower backache, but it can rapidly become the kind of debilitating and unrelenting pain that radiates down one of your legs, sometimes reaching as far as your toes. If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately. Only a board-certified neurosurgeon is permitted to operate inside the dura mater of the spinal cord or on the brain. For cases of sciatica that do not resolve quickly on their own, or cases that do not respond to exercise and mild pain medicine, an orthopedic surgeon is a good option 3. What is sciatica? Browning earned a Bachelor of Arts in English language and literature from the University of Virginia. Neurosurgeons come from the tumor/decompression side. I had an L5 discectomy and I went orthopedic. It is not intended to be and should not be interpreted as medical advice or a diagnosis of any health or fitness problem, condition or disease; or a recommendation for a specific test, doctor, care provider, procedure, treatment plan, product, or course of action. Untreated chronic sciatica can result in chronic muscle weakness and foot drop. Spinal surgery is a delicate endeavor, largely due to the potential for the spinal cord to sustain irreversible damage. For more information about sciatica you can contact the Spine … While sciatica typically only affects one side of the body, it is often reported as one of the most painful forms of back pain due, mainly due to the overall size of the nerve. At Steel City Spine and Orthopedic Center, Jocelyn Idema, DO, provides expert nonsurgical and surgical treatments to help manage your sciatica pain and restore your mobility. Orthopedic surgeons are a popular choice for treatment of sciatica, mostly because they regularly treat lower back pain and problems of the spine 3. Neurosurgery of the spine covers the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine. Choosing Between a Neurosurgeon and an Orthopedic Surgeon for Spinal Surgery Spine surgery is often associated with orthopedics due to the familiar concept of the bony spinal column. These two specialties trained in different residencies, and that’s what distinguished them. All this means that, while there are some areas of overlap between the orthopedic surgeon and the neurosurgeon, their specialized competencies diverge as much if not more than they converge. See Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Treatment . Oxygen deprivation is one of the most common alternative explanations behind unresolved back pain. These incisions tend to be much smaller around 1 inch or less. What You Should Know About Post-Operative Back Pain, Minimally-Invasive TLIF (Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion), Minimally-Invasive Lumbar Microdecompression, TLIF: Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion, Intraoperative Monitoring (IOM) of the Nerves. Not only diagnose the sciatica, you may have pain, numbness tingling! Result of a neurosurgeon or an orthopedic spine surgeons pursue spine fellowships in an effort to increase their proficiency spinal. Had an L5 discectomy and I went orthopedic with gait, balance,... The Virginia Press Association is usually limited to one side of the nerve! 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