Looking for Best Orthopedic surgeon in Austin

[Texas Ag 93]

Originally Posted by Trainwreck20

Totally random side note to this - I have a friend that had an 'artificial disc' put in his back going on 15 years or so now. The other option was fusing some of the lower vertebrae. This process was not simple, but apparently much better than the process of fusion and it has made him pain-free for 15+ years.

Yeah, it seems like artificial discs are done a lot in Europe, but far less so here, at least for lumbar spine. Seems like fusions are still more commonly done. For cervical discs, I think replacements are lot more common here.

I don't know exactly why, but I think it might have something to do with the fact that with lumbar spine, they often have to use an anterior approach, which makes it much more complicated, and usually uses a General Surgeon to do the part of the case to get access given the complexity of the abdomen, and then the spine surgeon does his/her part of the procedure and then General will usually close. With cervical, the approach is much easier. Don't quote me on this, though. I just seem to recall it in something I read or my husband may have told me.

[Trainwreck20]

Originally Posted by Texas Ag 93

Yeah, it seems like artificial discs are done a lot in Europe, but far less so here, at least for lumbar spine. Seems like fusions are still more commonly done. For cervical discs, I think replacements are lot more common here.

I don't know exactly why, but I think it might have something to do with the fact that with lumbar spine, they often have to use an anterior approach, which makes it much more complicated, and has to use a General Surgeon to do the part of the case to get access given the complexity of the abdomen, and then the spine surgeon does his/her part of the procedure and then General will usually close. With cervical, the approach is much easier. Don't quote me on this, though. I just seem to recall it in something I read or my husband may have told me.

At that point in time, it was still somewhat 'experimental', iirc, and they did not know whether it would last 1 year or a lifetime. So far, he has had good results, but there may be other complications that are possible? I hope to not have to find out .

[austin_mommy]

We have always had a great experience with UT Health Austin for anything musculoskeletal. Their multidisciplinary approach helps figure out and fix a lot in just one visit. https://uthealthaustin.org/conditions/back-pain. In full disclosure, I have not gone to their back pain clinic but it may be worth checking them out.

[ashbeeigh]

Originally Posted by PRon

Thanks for the reference, So should I see neurosurgeon for my Lowe back pain?

You need to see a doctor. to see what type of specialist you should see. Getting medical advice from a random stranger on the internet is the last thing you'll want to do. Getting recommendations is fine, but asking what type of doctor you should see if like using WebMD to treat cancer. Just don't do it.