A spinal cord injury is arguably one of the most dangerous injuries a person could suffer from. The spinal cord houses all the nerves that run across our body and extends from our necks to our buttocks, leaving a significant surface area exposed to damage.
It is responsible for receiving messages from the body to the brain, sending messages from the brain to the body, and controlling stimuli reactions when the body is put in immediate danger. A spinal cord injury can result in complete immobility of the victim’s body below the injury, and can even cause paralysis if the injury is close to the neck.
It is safe to say that a spine injury is capable of destroying a person’s life, so then what type of treatment should you look for if you have incurred a spinal cord injury? We will try to answer this question in today’s blog post as most patients in pain look for the easy way out in grave situations involving a spine injury.
What Does History Say?
Well, historically it was quite uncommon for orthopedists to perform surgery involving the back lining of the spinal cord and most of these procedures were performed by specialized neurosurgeons. But as is the case with everything in the modern world, the situation is quite different now.
In the 21st century’s constantly evolving medical field, orthopedists in their 6 to 7-year resident training often come across injuries revolving around the spinal cord. They also have the option to go for a spinal cord specialization like their neurologist counterparts after they have completed their residency program, an option that wasn’t available to orthopedists in the yesteryears.
So according to the convention, a neurologist is the choice for a spinal cord injury. But that doesn’t negate the fact that many, many orthopedists are quite capably trained for handling spinal cord surgeries.
What’s The Main Difference?
The main difference quite frankly is in the traditional curriculum that medical students have. Only a neurologist is required to treat spinal cord injuries in his/her 6 to 7 residency program and then has the option to go for a spine specialization, whereas an orthopedist might come across cases related to the spine in his/her residency program and then opt for a specialization in the same.
Traditionally, a physical deformity in the spine that revolves around the stacked vertebrae of our backs was treated by an orthopedist seeing to it as it was technically a bone injury, and for performing surgeries on thecal sac tumors that lie in the Dura of the spinal cord, a neurosurgeon was preferred.
Which Is A Safer Bet?
No doctor in the modern medical field is the best choice for an injury according to his/her ‘doctor tag’. Some neurosurgeons specialize in brain surgeries and might have little knowledge when it comes to intradural spinal cord surgeries or some that specialize in back injuries and have little knowledge about brain treatments.
The same goes for orthopedists. Some orthopedists focus specifically on joint pain and sports injuries, while others may specialize in back deformities and how to treat them. The curriculum of the past has evolved in such a manner that an orthopedist is now not restricted towards focusing only on joints and other bone injuries that don’t involve the spine. An orthopedist can freely specialize in spinal injuries after his/her 6 to 7-year residency program.
Since it all depends on the type of training the doctor has had, don’t hesitate to ask your neurologist or orthopedist about his/her background and specialization as all doctors want the best for their patient. There is no hard and fast rule to seek treatment from an orthopedist if you have a back deformity since many neurologists are now trained in scoliosis treatment as well. The same goes for orthopedists, many specialize in spinal cord surgeries too. So it all depends on your choice of doctor and not the entire sub profession.
What Is The Final Advice?
As stated above, in today’s day and age the treatment of your spine injury depends on the doctor you have chosen regardless of whether he/she is a neurosurgeon or an orthopedist. What matters is that the doctor you have chosen has had proper training and experience in treating injuries related to the spinal cord.
An orthopedist that has specialized in back injuries is a better option than a neurosurgeon that specializes in brain surgeries. Similarly, a neurosurgeon that specializes in back surgeries is a better option than an orthopedist experienced in joint deformities, bone tumors, and trauma-related to other body parts rather than the spine.
Make an informed decision that you think is best suited for you. Neurosurgeons and orthopedists don’t see themselves as competitors, but rather as colleagues. One type of doctor is not better for a spine injury as the spine involves both physical deformities involving the vertebrae and trauma involving the nervous system. Consult a trusted doctor before making a decision that has the potential to make or break your life.
About Dr. Shailesh Jain
Dr. Shailesh Jain is the Top Neurosurgeon in Pitampura who has worked in India’s most prestigious hospital: AIIMS. He specializes in spinal cord injuries and is the best doctor for back pain in Pitampura. Dr. Shailesh Jain has an experience of over 15 years in the world-class treatment of the CNS (central nervous system).
Dr. Shailesh Jain, former AIIMS Neurosurgeon has emphasized his medical experience in brain strokes and back injuries, making him the best doctor for brain stroke in Pitampura. As mentioned above, for a spinal cord injury the doctor’s experience and specialization matter the most. Dr. Shailesh Jain has had worlds of experience under his belt and he specifies his treatment in brain strokes and back pain. He is the Best neurologist in Pitampura who has no problem in relieving a patient’s back pain or treating a brain stroke.
He has now left AIIMS and is now working at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Shalimar Bagh branch as a brain stroke and spine specialist.
Book an appointment with Dr. Shailesh Jain at Arihant Neurospine Clinic here.