How To FInd The Spine Specialist That's Right For You

If you have a spine problem, there is no reason to live with pain and other symptoms. Living with pain can decrease your quality of life, cause your work productivity to plummet, and impact your overall health. A skilled spine specialist can help you on the road to healing. Below, we'll explore how to find the spine specialist that's right for you.

When to See a Doctor 

It's common to feel some transient back pain every once in a while, typically due to muscle strain or sleeping wrong. However, it's not normal to feel pain on a regular basis, severe pain, or pain accompanied by symptoms like muscle weakness or numbness. You should visit a doctor if you have any of those symptoms.

Advances in the Treatment of Spine Conditions 

The treatment of spine conditions has improved dramatically in recent years thanks to several advances. First, the field of pain management is growing, and some excellent research has been done in recent years. This research allows doctors to address spine pain in a more comprehensive manner, resulting in treatments that deal with your entire condition. 

Next, a number of minimally invasive procedures are now available for the treatment of spine conditions. Procedures like epidural steroid injections, laser spine surgery, stem cell therapy, and nerve stimulation can be used for diverse spine problems ranging from herniated discs to spondylolisthesis and much more. Only certain severe and extensive problems typically need to be treated with traditional open spine surgery.

Key Features in a Spine Specialist

The quality of your doctor can make a big difference in your outcomes. Your doctor is responsible for identifying the right course of treatment, administering treatment with skill and precision, and monitoring the effects of treatment. 

Some of the key features to look for in a spine specialist include: 

• Board certification - Look for a board certified doctor who was certified in a field such as pain management, anesthesiology, or spine health. In addition, be sure that the physician has a clean disciplinary record.
• Experience - How long has the doctor been working in the field? Most patients prefer a doctor who has been working for at least a few years, as that gives them time to build up their skills and judgment. In addition to years in the field, look for other professional accomplishments, such as teaching positions, publications, and awards.
• Pain management expertise - With all the advances in pain management in recent years, it's important to find a doctor with the knowledge to put those advances to use. Going to a pain management specialist can help ensure you get the best treatment possible.
• Use of minimally invasive procedures - Cutting-edge, minimally invasive procedures are improving outcomes for patients with a wide variety of spine conditions. Be sure to choose a doctor who uses minimally invasive methods whenever they are appropriate.
• Conservative approach to treatment - Even minimally invasive surgery shouldn't be used as the first line of treatment. Your doctor should use surgery conservatively, instead preferring to use non-invasive methods whenever possible.
• Good bedside manner - You should feel comfortable with your doctor on a basic level. You need to be able to raise concerns, ask questions, and get answers. If you feel uncomfortable with your physician, it may be a sign that they are not a good fit.

Finding a Physician

A number of methods can help you find a skilled physician in your area. First, you can ask your primary care physician to recommend a spine specialist. Your primary care doctor is familiar with colleagues in the area, and may be able to recommend a doctor who past patients have had good experiences with. 

Next, consider asking friends and family to recommend a doctor they have worked with in the past. Asking friends and family for recommendations has several advantages. Since you know the person personally, you have an idea of whether or not you trust their judgment. You're also aware of their initial condition and the ultimate outcome of treatment. 

Finally, online research can be very valuable when searching for a spine specialist. Many doctors have websites where you can find information about their experience, certifications, approach to care, and testimonials. In addition, many patients take the time to review doctors on third-party websites like ZocDoc. Reviews and ratings can help you learn about what past patients have experienced with a particular physician. As you read reviews, it's especially useful to look out for what reviewers say about those features which are most important to you, such as bedside manner and the overall outcome of treatment.

Your Consultation 

At your consultation with your spine specialist, your doctor's goal is to get an idea of your symptoms, your concerns, and the potential causes of your condition. Your physician will start out by asking you questions about your medical history, your family's medical history, and your current symptoms. Next, the doctor will perform a physical examination of your spine and any related parts of the body. 

Based on those results, the doctor will most likely order some diagnostic tests to confirm the exact cause of your condition. Possible diagnostic tests include CT scan, MRI, and x-ray. Medical imaging is often necessary because the symptoms of multiple spine conditions can mirror one another. 

Top NYC Doctors

You can find the top spine specialist in New York City at the Datta Endoscopic Back Surgery and Pain Center. Dr. Sukdeb Datta is an experienced, board certified spine specialist and pain specialist. Dr. Datta has a background in pain management, and has participated in numerous pain research studies throughout his career. 

Dr. Datta understands the importance of using minimally invasive and non-invasive treatment methods whenever possible. That's why he takes a comprehensive approach to treatment, and why he offers cutting-edge procedures such as laser spine surgery. Dr. Datta's patients report widespread satisfaction with his approach to treatment and the outcomes of their care. 

To schedule your consultation with NYC's top spine specialist, please click below and enter your information or give us a call at (212) 430-0312.