Spinal FAQs

A spine surgeon is a sub-specialty trained physician whose practice is devoted solely to spine surgery. A spine surgeon receives the required training for all orthopedic surgeons as well as having the honor of being selected for fellowship training in spine surgery.

Fellowships are prestigious positions which allow physicians to have intensive training in a specific field by some of the world’s leading experts.

Not all neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons are a qualified to be considered spine surgeons.

The surgical training for spinal surgery is highly specialized. The techniques used in spinal surgery must be accurate and precise—there is no room for error. Spinal surgeons are required to complete a 5- to 6-year residency, as well as an additional full year of fellowship training. This timeframe is an intensive period of study, much more difficult to complete than residency alone, where specialized skills are acquired and perfected.

At Progressive Spine & Orthopaedics, our doctors is not only fellowship-trained but his practice focuses and specializes exclusively in spinal surgery.

It is best to see a spine surgeon if neck or back pain is affecting your quality of life and not improving with conservative treatment. Preventative care can help alleviate pain and restore function before more serious treatment is required.

At Progressive Spine & Orthopaedics, we manage all aspects of non-operative spinal care, making sure that spinal surgery is the last resort. We see a variety of patients, assisting them in all areas of spinal care. Whether you’ve already been treated by another doctor with medication, therapy, or injections, or you’re in our care as a post-operative patient, we’re happy to assist you with all your spinal care needs and help you coordinate a plan to be back to a fully-functioning status.

Getting a full range of motion, strength and flexibility back after surgery usually takes time. That’s where pre-operative exercise and education and post-operative physical therapy programs come in – to ensure you’re physically and emotionally prepared for surgery and to maximize your recovery after surgery.

Postoperative physical therapy is used as needed on a case-by-case basis.

Before visiting Progressive Spine & Orthopaedics, please have the following information available to bring with you:

• Current insurance information
• Driver’s license or State ID
• Copies of operation records, medical records, X-rays, MRIs, CT scans and so on from prior doctor visits
• Any relevant reports
• List of medications
• If you have had surgery elsewhere, please bring a copy of your operative report

Please also download and fill out the New Patient Registration forms, which you can find on our Patient Information page under Patient Forms. Having this information available and completed will speed up processing time during your first visit.

One of the most common work-related injuries to occur is a spinal injury. The physicians at Progressive Spine & Orthopaedics have extensive experience dealing with patients who have injured their spine or neck area in work-related cases. We are dedicated to providing care that helps you get back to your pre-injury condition and aids in the transition you of returning back to work, so you’re able to regain the same quality of life as before.

At Progressive Spine & Orthopaedics, we’re happy to see you no matter which insurance plan you have. While we may not participate in your plan, many insurance plans provide for out-of-network benefits and we will make every effort to keep the out-of-pocket costs of your visits to a minimum.

Progressive Spine & Orthopaedics is dedicated to relieving your pain and restoring your spinal health so that you can function normally again. To meet with our fellowship-trained, board-certified spine surgeon, please call our office at 201-227-1299 to request a consultation.

Minimally invasive surgery, is done thorough smaller incisions and uses tubular dilators to accomplish the same results as traditional surgery with much less tissue damage. When used for the appropriate reasons and in the right patients this causes much less postoperative pain and disability.