What is the difference between an orthopaedic spine surgeon and a neurosurgeon? Who should do my surgery?
Orthopaedic surgeons complete a postgraduate residency training program of the surgical treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, including the spine. Neurosurgeons complete a postgraduate residency training program of the surgical treatment of neurological disorders, including the spine. Therefore, both specialties receive basic surgical spine training and are theoretically qualified to perform spine surgery. However, because spine surgery has evolved so much and become very specialized, most spine surgeons (ortho and neuro) practicing today typically complete additional training in spine surgery (spine fellowship). This additional training is often what differentiates a spinal surgeon’s capability to perform unique and technically demanding spine operations, more so than whether a surgeon received basic orthopaedic or neurosurgical training. The decision to have a spine surgery performed by one surgeon rather than another surgeon should be based more on a particular surgeon’s training,
