What Do Spine Surgeons Do In Frisco TX?
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Spine problems are very common. In fact, 84% of Americans have admitted to having lower back pain in the past year. For many, this pain can be debilitating, impeding your ability to work and causing them daily pain. Lots of people experience back pain associated with pulled muscles or strain, but if you have constant back pain even during normal activities (such as lying down, walking, or driving.) You might want to consider seeing a Spine Surgeon. However, there are two different kinds of Spine Surgeons: Neurosurgeons and Orthopedic Surgeons. While both professions perform back surgery and can be considered for back pain treatment, they are not the same. Read on to learn about these spine surgeons in Frisco TX.
Neurosurgeons in Frisco TX
Traditionally, only Neurosurgeons performed spinal surgery. Orthopedic surgeons have started to also do spinal surgery within the past three decades. Neurosurgeons are Medical Doctors or Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine. Neurosurgery has one of the longest training times of any medical specialty. Neurosurgeons must complete a five to six-year residency, during which they study surgical treatment of neurological conditions.
Simply put, neurological conditions are conditions of the nervous system. This can involve all of the nerves of the body, the brain, the spine, spinal cord nerves, and intracranial and intraspinal vasculature. While some Neurosurgeons work on both brain surgery and spine surgery, most choose to specialize in one or the other.
Orthopedic Surgeons
Like Neurosurgeons, Orthopedic surgeons can be Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine or Medical Doctors. Orthopedic surgeons must complete a five-year residency, spending that time learning about the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. Typically, Orthopedic Surgeons use their expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of bone and joint disorders.
Because so much of our movement depends on joints, Orthopedic Surgeons work on a variety of disorders caused by trauma, such as sports injuries and hand injuries. They also work on spinal disorders, arthritis, bone tumors, and hand or spine deformities. Orthopedic surgeons can also perform joint replacement surgeries, such as hip replacement or knee replacement.
Who To Choose For Spinal Surgery
When it comes to choosing a professional to do your spinal surgery, the good news is that both Neurosurgeons and Orthopedic Surgeons are good options. Both surgeons must learn to perform spinal surgeries during their fellowship training, and both have a knowledge of spinal disorders and their treatments.
However, when looking for a spinal surgeon in Frisco TX you have to take specialties into account. While both surgeons may be qualified to do spinal surgery, some Neurosurgeons or Orthopedic Surgeons specialize in spinal surgery or in treating specific conditions. This kind of specialization takes years and years to perfect. For example, Dr. Scott Kutz and his team at Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery Texas specialize in spine surgery. They have performed thousands of minimally invasive surgeries and are a great choice for a variety of spine disorders. It is important to do your research and find the surgeon whose skills best suit your needs.
In the past, there was a divide in spinal surgery. It was believed that Orthopedic Surgeons were better qualified to treat patients with spinal deformities. Generally, these were curvatures of the spine such as scoliosis or kyphosis– aka “hunchback.” Because these types of disorders involved bone, it was believed that Orthopedic Surgeons were better prepared.
However, today many neurosurgeons have been trained in deformity surgery. Neurosurgeons tend to be more qualified to perform intradural surgery (surgery inside of the dura in the spinal cord) and to work on the nerves of the spinal column. These are helpful in a wide variety of common, painful lower back disorders.
Neurosurgeons often work on impinged or damaged nerves in the spine column. Sometimes, either through trauma or just wear and tear, the bones and discs of the spine will impinge on the spinal cord. This impingement, or pinching, can cause intense nagging pain. The pain is not just limited to the spine but can cause tingling discomfort down the back of the legs.
Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery Texas
Are you looking for the best spinal surgeon in Texas? Head over to Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery Texas– or MINT. Dr. Scott Kutz is a board-certified Neurosurgeon who has proudly served Frisco TX, for years. MINT’s cutting-edge technology minimizes the pain and healing time involved in back surgery, so you can get back to doing what you love pain-free! Give us a call or check out our website to set up a teleconference appointment!