When a patient considers having spine surgery, one of the most common questions arises is, “Who is better, an orthopaedic spine surgeon or a neurosurgeon?” It depends on the problem. Nowadays apart from the orthopaedic surgeons, Neurosurgeons are also doing some spine work. Classically neurosurgeons provide treatment for brain problems and orthopaedic surgeons provide treatment for problems associated with the spinal column and the limbs.

Orthopaedic surgeons who specialize in spine surgery are usually known as spine surgeons. They dedicate their entire time towards patients needing spine care. Most of them in the process giving up lucrative limb trauma, arthroscopy and joint replacement surgery. It obviously means that they chose to specialize in spine work out of sheer passion and not economic considerations.

However, it is usually a rarity to find a neurosurgeon who has dedicated himself to spine surgery giving up lucrative brain surgery. As the number of surgeons and the specialities has increased more and more orthopaedic surgeons are sub specializing in the spine. Similar changes are happening in neurosurgical units. Spine Surgeon In Nagpur.

After completion of residencies, orthopedic doctors continue their training by participating in various fellowship programs where they receive additional practice or training in specialized surgeries. Orthopedic surgeons might choose particularly on one of the surgeries, or they choose to split their practice which includes the spine, hip, knees, hands, wrists, shoulders, ankles, feet, elbows etc.

Out of all bony parts, spine is unique with a complicated structure, and it requires precision for performing spinal surgeries, demands a high quality of training and commitment. It is turning out to be a speciality with time and orthopedic doctors specializing in it to be spine surgeons. Dr Vivek Agrawal has made such commitment throughout his career with outstanding surgical experience and became one of the best spine surgeons in Nagpur, Maharashtra, India.

Neurosurgeons were primarily accountable for brain surgery. Over the past, one to two decades the medical field has far developed so that neurosurgeons and are showing interest in spine surgery. Classically their role is for the brain and for handling the spinal cord tumours. Most of the intradural work is usually done by a neurosurgeon. Compared to the volume of all the affections in spine surgery, the aliments of the spinal column (disc, bone etc) are around 95% and the intradural work to less than 5%. Neurosurgeons are more adept at the treatment of the circulatory problems of the cerebrospinal fluid which bathes the brain and the spinal cord. They treat them with shunt operations.

As the vertebral column is a bony structure, an orthopedic spine surgeon may be an ideal choice to deal with the musculoskeletal problems associated with the spine.

Orthopedic spine surgeons are fellowship-trained & board-certified and are qualified. However, the main variation is their specialization. An orthopedic spine surgeon specially trained to treat the various spine disorders which involve placement of screws, rods into the spinal bone. They are especially good at the treatment of any deformity and condition which demands a bony fusion of spine along with spinal decompression. A few neurosurgeons who are trained in spine surgery are also rendering services.

An orthopedic spine surgeon is someone who specialized in treating orthopedic problems are primarily focused on treating all musculoskeletal conditions of lower back, spine, neck etc.

Orthopaedic surgeons treat all the musculoskeletal conditions associated with bones, joints, and muscles and they are specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of bone and joint disorders especially;

• Spinal disorders
• Arthritis
• Sports injuries
• Trauma
• Spinal tumours
• Deformities

Orthopaedic spine surgeons can provide both operative and non-operative treatment for patients of all ages. Some orthopedic spine surgeons mainly deal with spinal problems like scoliosis, kyphosis, degenerative disorders, or problems associated with a particular region of the cervical spine, lumbar spine or lower back etc. Spine Surgeon In Nagpur

A Neurosurgeon is someone who specializes in treating neurological problems associated with the brain and primary spinal cord tumours or syringomyelia. Most neurosurgeons are specialized exclusively on brain surgery whereas some are doing spine work as well.

• Brain
• Spine and spinal cord
• Nerves
• Intracranial and intraspinal vasculature

There is a perception that only neurosurgeons are more concerned with the nerves during spine surgery than orthopedic spine surgeons. Every spine surgeon, irrespective of the specialist weather he is a neuro or ortho spine surgeon performing the surgery, they are concerned with the nerves of the patient.

Any surgery that involves the anatomy of the nerves of the spinal column is quite complicated. Any surgery of this magnitude without considering the nerves related to the spine cannot be successful. During the training, orthopaedic spine surgeons learn the same techniques and procedures to deal with the nerves during surgery.

Both neurosurgeons and orthopedic Spine surgeons might complete their fellowship training to perform of most the spine surgery, but there are some specific spine surgeries where one specialization tends to be more qualified compared to the other, such as:

• There are a few areas that differentiate an orthopedic spine surgeon and a neurosurgeon. Some neurosurgeons mostly get trained during their residency to operate inside the dura membrane, the lining of the spinal canal to remove the Cal sac tumors etc.
• Orthopedic spine surgeons are tended to be better trained to bone work like spinal instrumentation (putting screws and rods in the spine) and fusion (resting and uniting the segments of the spine). They exclusively treat  spinal deformities like scoliosis and kyphosis
• An orthopedic spine surgeon will observe the progress after surgery from beginning to end. They advise you from diagnosis to treatment and helps you throughout the rehabilitation program for faster recovery.

If you are suffering from back pain or having any other spinal problem contact Dr Vivek Agrawal, one of the best orthopedic spine doctors in Nagpur, Maharashtra, India.

Of the many types of specialists who treat spine problems, each has specific skills and plays an important role in patient care. Some spine specialists are physicians and some are non-physicians. The right specialist(s) to treat your condition depends on the type and severity of the problem. Spine problems can arise from soft tissues (muscles, tendons, ligaments), nerves, or bone. If a spine problem is complex or does not improve, you may be referred to one or more of the specialists described below for further consultation, diagnosis, and treatment.

Because many types of specialists are involved in the treatment of back and neck pain, spine centers have developed to provide integrated patient care. The specialists work together in multidisciplinary teams that focus on coordination of care, convenience for the patient, and quality of care standards.

When someone comes to us with extremity symptoms, we almost always suggest they first get an evaluation with their primary care physician. If a person is experiencing low back pain or neck pain, we will usually watch them over time and encourage them to maintain good, stable physical activity to see if the issue resolves. If the issue is not resolving with physical activity, over the counter treatments, or pain management and anti-inflammatory medication, the next step would be to see a doctor for an evaluation.

Many patients with spine problems can be treated non-surgically. Physical therapy, home exercises, medication and often times spinal injections are recommended prior to considering surgery. If the problem still isn’t resolved, then surgery becomes a good option.

For instance, if a patient has significant neurogenic pain in the extremities and non-surgical management has not provided relief, surgical intervention is the best decision. For those with symptoms related to spinal cord or nerve root compression, such as significant weakness in an arm or leg or limb, we may recommend surgical intervention if non-surgical management was unsuccessful.

Consult Spine Surgeon In Nagpur