Front Range Spine and Neurosurgery
Call Today: (303) 790-1800

Request an Appointment

Minimally
Invasive Spinal Surgery

The Colorado Artificial Disc Institute

  • Home
  • Meet the Surgeons
  • Conditions and Surgeries
    • Artificial Disc Institute
    • Cranial Conditions & Tumors
    • Minimally Invasive Surgery
    • Spine & Nerve-Related Conditions
  • Treatments
  • Patient Resources
    • Preparing for Surgery
    • New Patient Forms
    • Post-Op Care
    • Surgical Videos
  • Contact & Locations

When to See Neurosurgeons vs. Orthopedic Surgeons

March 15, 2019 By

Traditionally, neurosurgeons were the doctors of choice for spinal surgery. In the last several decades, some orthopedic surgeons have also been treating spinal conditions.

However, while orthopedists handle musculoskeletal conditions and may have special training in spine treatment, the focus of neurosurgeons is to treat the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. And whereas the field of orthopedics is very generalized, neurosurgery is very specialized.

Let’s explore the differences and similarities between these two types of physicians.

How Is Neurosurgery Different from Orthopedics?

Neurosurgeons practice almost exclusively on the spine and the brain. Neurosurgeons specialize in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of disorders of the central and peripheral nervous systems, treating health issues such as:

  • Congenital anomalies
  • Traumatic injury
  • Vascular (blood vessel) disorders
  • Infections of the spine and brain
  • Stroke
  • Degenerative diseases of the spine

A neurosurgeon’s entire scope of study revolves around the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system, and the proper surgical treatment of conditions that affect these systems.

Orthopedists, on the other hand, spend their time divided between shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, hip, knee, foot, ankle, and spine treatment. And most orthopedists perform much less surgery than a neurosurgeon.

In the past, orthopedic surgeons performed more surgeries on spinal deformities like scoliosis and neurosurgeons did more intradural surgery (surgery inside the spinal dura). Only a board-certified neurosurgeon is permitted to operate inside the dura mater of the spinal cord or on the brain.

The field of orthopedics originally focused on treating children born with physical deformities, thus the root word “ped,” which means “child.” Orthopedics has expanded to adults and now largely serves the senior community and athletes – including sports medicine. Orthopedic surgeons are the physicians who typically perform hip and knee replacement surgeries.

How Are Orthopedists and Neurosurgeons Similar?

In the last several decades, many doctors have been trained extensively in spinal surgery – including both neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons. Many orthopedists have sought additional fellowship training in spinal surgery – thus blurring the divide that previously existed with regard to the spine.

Due to the expanding nature of the field of orthopedic medicine, more and more orthopedic surgeons are becoming capable of performing certain (not all) types of spinal surgeries. However, the most important criteria in finding a spine surgeon is whether the surgeon actually specializes in spinal surgery.

Experienced Neurosurgeons in Colorado Springs

While an orthopedic surgeon is a better choice if you need a new hip, knee, shoulder, or have a severely broken bone, anything related to the spine is best treated by a skilled neurosurgeon.

If you have a back issue or severe back pain, seek out a neurosurgeon for their evaluation and diagnosis for proper treatment. The spine allows humans to sense touch and move – don’t risk your health and mobility by allowing anyone other than a surgeon who is certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery to treat it.

The neurosurgeons at Front Range Neurosurgery perform spine surgery on a regular basis, and we have decades of success serving patients. Call us today at (303) 790-1800, or fill out our appointment request form now. We look forward to helping you enjoy a more pain-free, active lifestyle once again.

Related posts:

5 Reasons You May Need a Neurosurgeon5 Reasons You May Need a Neurosurgeon What Does a Neurosurgeon Treat? Preparing for Neurosurgery What is a Neurological Condition?

Filed Under: Neurosurgeon Tagged With: neurosurgeon, neurosurgery, orthopedic

Primary Sidebar

Categories

  • Acupuncture
  • Arachnoid Cysts
  • artificial disc replacement
  • Back Pain
  • Back Surgery
  • Brain Surgery
  • Brain Tumor
  • Chronic Pain
  • Concussion
  • Disc Replacement Surgery
  • General
  • Lower Back Pain
  • Lumbar Spine
  • Minimally Invasive Surgery
  • Neck Pain
  • Nerve Pain
  • Neurological Conditions
  • Neurosurgeon
  • Neurosurgery
  • Spinal Cord
  • Spinal Fusion
  • Spinal Surgery
  • Stereotactic Radiosurgery
  • Stroke
  • Tumor
  • Upper Back Pain
  • Workers Compensation

Calendar

March 2021
S M T W T F S
 123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
28293031  
« Feb    

Tags

Acupuncture artificial disc replacement Artificial Discs artificial spinal disc artificial spinal disc replacement back pain Back Surgery Brain Surgeon Brain Surgeon in Colorado brain surgery Brain Tumor brain tumor symptoms Chronic Pain Concussion Disc degeneration Front Range Spine & Neurosurgery head injury Herniated discs Kyphoplasty Lower Back Pain Lumbar Spine Migraine minimally invasive spinal surgery Neurological Conditions Neurological Disorders neurologist neurosurgeon neurosurgeon colorado neurosurgeon Colorado Springs Neurosurgeon Denver CO neurosurgeon near me neurosurgery Sciatica Scoliosis Seizures spinal discs spinal disorders Spinal Fracture spinal fusion Spinal Surgery spine surgery Stroke traumatic head injury Tumor Vision problems

Footer

  • Home
  • Meet the Surgeons
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Conditions and Surgeries
  • Cranial Conditions & Tumors
  • Spine & Nerve-Related Conditions
  • Artificial Disc Institute
  • Minimally Invasive Surgery
  • Treatments
  • Patient Resources
  • New Patient Forms
  • Preparing for Surgery
  • Post-Op Care

Online Bill Pay

iHealthspot Medical Website Design and Medical Marketing by iHealthSpot.com

Copyright © Front Range Spine and Neurosurgery. All rights reserved

At Front Range Spine and Neurosurgery, Dr. Michael Rauzzino, is a board-certified neurosurgeon and acknowledged expert in both surgical and nonsurgical treatment of intracranial and spinal disorders. Dr. Rauzzino's specialties include Artificial Disc Implants, Cranial Conditions & Tumors, Minimally Invasive Surgery, and Spine & Nerve-Related Conditions. Front Range Spine & Neurosurgery has four locations to serve you in Lone Tree, Parker, Colorado Springs, and Aurora, CO.