How to best choose a spine surgeon?

Thanks. I’ve switched to an orthopedic doc who also recommends surgery. I’m in CT so CA is a reach. My post left out a lot of details, however the surgery I mentioned was a terrifying and traumatic experience. I wouldn’t risk it again.
I’m also an artist, but not an optimist.

@mpritch
That's terrible about the traumatic and terrifying experince and I relate. Did you tell me what your symptoms and diagnosis are? I have a "complicated spine" according to a few surgeons and two told me not to have fusion. Where in CT are you and did you find a surgeon you trust? If so I would love to know. I think you have to PM me. Thanks and good luck to both of us!

@mpritch
Now I am reading your post. How absolutely horrible! I hope you are much better. My heart goes out to you.

@annie1 I am outside of New Haven. No, I am no longer interested in surgery.
I just want to hear what other people are thinking about the process and how people are coping with the pain and restrictions of chronic spinal problems

@annie1 I don't think HSS is in florida. You might want a consult at HSS NYC.

@loriesco
Hi. Great to know a good spinal surgeon!!! I would say, from 15 years working with surgeons, in general I've found, also from my person experience, that neurosurgeons tend to be more conservative than orthopedic surgeons. A bad personal experience of course carries great weight for us and I can understand making a judgement based on that. Just want to communicate that general information that neurosurgeons tend to be more conservative.

@painsurvivor dunno if they are "more" conservative. They can't look at the bones only the nerves. They look at two different sources of the problem. Sometimes the Neurologist can read/infer the problem to the bones from the MRI, but the Orthopedic surgeon looks at the bones, the discs, the compression, and other things the neurologist can't infer. It really depends on the person and their problem. The ego-driven neurologist I saw for 20 years, who became the dept. head, threw up his hands, "There is nothing more I can do." I said, "Fine, I'll just go home and take the opioids." Only THEN did he send me to Orthopedics, and I was IN SURGERY immediately!

I worked with surgeons for 7 years as an editor of a surgical publication. As a rule the neurosurgeons were more conservative. They do work with the bones as well, as bones are innervated by nerves. And they have to be fully aware of all the spinal structures such as discs etc. They remove bone spurs on the spine and deal with other "orthopedic" issues affecting the spine. The conservatism doesn't apply to every neurosurgeon or discount every orthopedist. It's a generalization I found true in my work. I also, incidentally, found it as well in my personal health experience. I had an orthopedist, highly placed and considered, who wanted to operate on me in 2 weeks of my first visit and "straighten out" my spine curvature, which is not a recommended thing to do as a rule. So I the generalization I commented on is based on many years of professional experience and also of personal experience. We often base things on our own personal experience, especially it if was traumatic. I'm so sorry for what you went through!!! I hope you continue to get the very best of care!!

@painsurvivor
What do you mean more conservative? Is that good or bad as far as outcomes? I had a laminotomy with a neurosurgeon that only helped me for two and a half months. Also he caused a pars fracture but wouldn't own up to it until I questioned him two years later as to what went wrong in the surgery.

Hi Annie1.
I think you may have misunderstood me. I made a generalization. You are talking about one experience. I can give you several positive ones I have had with neurosurgeons and one very bad one with an orthopedic surgeon. That's not the point. I'm not focusing on my personal experience--making a generalization. I'm sorry you had a bad experience.
The best way to find a good surgeon is to get a recommendation from a physician you trust. When I needed a knee replacement, the very good physiatrist I was seeing recommended one and the surgery and the experience were all positive. That's the best way I know of to be in responsible, caring, and skilled hands. I hope you get the very best care for your current condition!