Choosing a spine surgeon

@annie1 Medicare does publish success rate information for certain procedures (not all) for surgeons who accept Medicare and also similar rates for medical centers and hospitals. You also can check if a doctor has been disciplined by looking up the licensing board for the state. When I asked my surgeon his success rate for the procedure he recommended, he told me. They do know their statistics. Insurance companies also know this information or at least they know who the better surgeons are. You should look for medical publications they have authored. Ask your personal physician how they would look for a good surgeon.

@jenniferhunter
Ok, so I can call Medicare and tell them the surgeon's name and they can look up their success rate ? I met with a surgeon today from HSS who told me he has had No cases with complications. Someone else on here didn't think that was quite believable, but I will call Medicare and ask if they have any info on him.

@annie1 I was referring to published lists from Medicare cases that are online. You’ll have to search for it because I don’t know how to copy a link since I am writing from my phone.

Hi Jennifer,

Thanks so much, the only thing is how would I go about getting a list ? Just calling Medicare and telling them the name of the procedure and the Surgeon ? I always ask surgeons what percent of patients get successful results and/or what percent of relief do they think I will get and I have Never gotten a clear answer ! I've gotten everything from "I can't guarantee anything, but since you had temporary relief from the decompression, you should get good relief, " to I can't tell you a percentage. It's very frustrating. So you are saying that your surgeon told you his numbers ? I will have to push harder then.

@annie1 my surgeon was Dr. McClendon at the Phoenix Mayo Clinic. I cannot say enough good about what he did to “fix” my back. He is amazing and all of my pre-surgery pain is gone. He is meticulous and takes such pride in helping us regain our lives and lessen the pain. He really cares.

Thanks. I have osteoporosis which is a complicating factor for fusion. What did you have and what were your symptoms?

@sherrym25 Hi Sherry. Just to be certain, you went to Dr. Jamal McClendon at Phoenix Mayo Clinic?

@ccchang
Hello everyone on this thread. So I have read that having osteoporosis can be a complicating factor with fusions. And I have osteoporosis. I've interviewed many surgeons and most of them say they can do it anyway but one guy was very cautious and he said to me I might have a bigger pain if I did fusion. Have anyone on this thread have osteoporosis and still have fusion including the person who saw Dr McClellan? I'm on osteoporosis medication but it's unclear how long I would have to be on it for my bones to be strong enough to hold any hardware. Thanks for any help

@ccchang Hi Cori, yes that is correct. My surgeon was Dr. Jamal McClendon at the Phoenix Mayo Clinic.
Best, Sherry

@annie1 I had a T11 to L4 fusion to correct my scoliosis curve. I did not have osteoporosis.
My symptoms were extreme back pain on the right side because my muscles were trying to keep my back straight and sciatica pain. I remember sitting in my surgeon’s office and he told me the surgery would fix my pain….and it did.
Best, Sherry