How to make an appointment at Mayo with orthopedic or neurosurgeon?

Posted by marybethtruitt @marybethtruitt, 1 day ago

I had a very successful spinal fusion at the age of 22 in 1978 for spondylolythesis. My spine was most of the time perfect until about three years ago when my doctor discovered that I had two additional slippages above the original fusion. My doctor is very hesitant to do surgery on me as he says that although the surgery itself is very successful that the Likelihood of a reoccurrence within seven years is very likely for above the fusion. I would like to get a second opinion and talk to a doctor about options. How hard is it and what is the process to get into see an orthopedic or neurosurgeon at Mayo Clinic?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Spine Health Support Group.

gravity3 | @gravity3 | 21 hours ago

If you scroll down on this page you will see an area that says How to make an appointment.

sherrym25 | @sherrym25 | 10 hours ago

@marybethtruitt Good morning,

Which vertebrate did you have fused in 1978?

I had a T11-L4 fusion last December at the Phoenix Mayo Clinic. Dr McClendon (neurosurgeon) performed the surgery and did an amazing job!!

I was originally scheduled for surgery at UC Davis but decided to get another opinion about which vertebrate to fuse.
I called the Mayo Clinic (480) 342-1735 and they gave me the fax and mailing address to send my medical reports and imaging to.
I IMMEDIATELY sent them everything and then called to check that they had received it. A few days later they called to let me know that Dr McClendon had accepted my case and they scheduled me for an evaluation. Every situation is different and I have heard of it taking quite a bit longer, but I believe that if you communicate with them and don’t sit back and wait for a call, you will do better.

I believe there are 3 major Mayo Hospitals, Minnesota, Florida, and Arizona.
There are other people on this site who have had amazing experiences with surgeons at the other Mayo Clinic’s so it’s important to find the best surgeon for your specific case, while also considering how far of a flight/drive it will be after your surgery.
Best Sherry😊

Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | 7 hours ago

@marybethtruitt Marybeth, welcome! I had spine surgery at Mayo in Rochester with Dr. Jeremy Fogelson who is excellent. He is a spine deformity expert and a neurosurgeon also with orthopedic deformity fellowship training. He does a lot of big scoliosis cases, and he also does simpler procedures like mine which was a fusion of C5/C6 done with only a bone spacer and no hardware. He also does artificial discs, but I don't know if you can have that next to a fused level. He's also very compassionate as a person.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/biographies/fogelson-jeremy-l-m-d/bio-20055624
You can apply for an appointment at any of the Mayo campuses at this link. https://mayocl.in/1mtmR63 That request will go to an intake office and they will call you back to discuss your needs and arrange for you to send in imaging.

You may want to look at the profiles of Mayo surgeons and research their interests to find a surgeon who is a good match for what you need.