If you’re searching for a specialist to treat your spine condition, you may hear many people voicing their thoughts on whether you should choose a neurosurgeon or an orthopedic surgeon. While both are highly educated and have extensive experience, it’s important to know who to choose concerning your condition. Take a look at the benefits of choosing a neurosurgeon for your spinal surgery:
Benefit #1: When operated under a neurosurgeon, your length of stay and need for post-op care is decreased.
Recently, researchers analyzed data from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Project Database. This study examined 50,361 patients who were treated by a neurosurgeon (66%) and those who were treated by an orthopedic surgeon (34%). The results concluded that your hospital stay and post-op care time is significantly decreased if you’re operated under a neurosurgeon.
Benefit #2: Neurosurgeons are trained to perform procedures in the dura.
There are certain procedures that must be completed by a neurosurgeon such as issues involving the dura. Your body’s dura is the inside of your spinal canal’s lining. There are multiple health issues that may arise in this area such as tumors, Chiari Malformation, and Syringomyelia. Your neurosurgeon is extensively trained to complete these procedures with ease.
Benefit #3: A neurosurgeon’s specialty complements each other.
Many neurosurgeons are specialized in both brain surgery and spine surgery. Because of this, they complete daily procedures that demand meticulous actions to benefit the patient’s health. Many argue that this is a huge benefit of choosing a neurosurgeon for your spinal condition, as their precise hand-eye coordination is strengthened with every procedure they complete.
When you’re meeting with one of the GNI specialists, don’t hesitate to ask them questions about their experience and education. They would be more than happy to be the person you choose for your spinal condition.