You may be suffering from chronic back pain due to your profession, your favorite hobby, a sports injury, a fall, or an accident. You’re not alone: About 28% of men and 32% of women in the United States struggle with back pain.
If your primary care physician has recommended that you have back surgery, you will want to know how to select the right doctor to perform the procedure. Let’s talk about some of the key factors to consider when looking for a spine surgeon, and where you can go here in Southeast Michigan for world-class spine surgery that can even be performed as an outpatient procedure.
Choosing the Right Spine Surgeon for You
The following are some of the main factors you will want to consider when choosing a spine surgeon to perform your operation:
- Should you consult a neurosurgeon or an orthopedic surgeon? Whereas neurosurgeons perform back surgery to correct issues involving the spinal cord – whose nerves provide all communication between your brain and the rest of your body – orthopedic surgeons can treat the entire musculoskeletal structure of the back. Orthopedists regularly address issues with the spinal discs, fractured vertebrae, and back arthritis.
- Does the spine surgeon consider other treatment options before advising surgery? If so, which ones? In treating any medical condition, the least-invasive (conservative) treatment modalities are always preferred. Your spine surgeon should review your medical history, ask you about previous treatments you’ve had and how you responded to them (if applicable), and explain your options based on the full evaluation of your physical condition.
- How many and what kind of spinal procedures has the surgeon done? Ask the spine surgeon how many times they have performed the procedure you’re considering. An extensive background in performing back surgery is important, as the surgeon should have years of experience in conducting many different kinds of spinal procedures.
Back Pain Relief in Rochester Hills
If you have chronic back pain and are looking for long-term relief, Dr. Bradley Ahlgren is a skilled and experienced orthopedic spine surgeon who can evaluate your condition and give you the least-invasive treatment that would work for you. He delivers a wide array of back treatments, and he and his medical team at Ahlgren Spine achieve excellent patient outcomes for back surgery.
Dr. Ahlgren will provide an in-depth explanation of your surgical and nonsurgical options. He’ll also answer all of your questions about back surgery.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Ahlgren, contact our friendly staff today by calling us at (248) 215-8080 or by filling out our easy-to-use appointment request form online now. We have offices located in Rochester Hills, Royal Oak, and Bad Axe for your convenience, and we look forward to helping you find relief from your back pain once and for all.
