FAQ
Choosing a Neurosurgeon or Orthopedic Specialist?
It is important for patients to understand that spinal surgery is performed by both neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons. Neurosurgeons and orthopedists each hold different qualifications, issued by the Belgian Ministry of Public Health. Patients must ensure that their surgeon is well-specialized in one of the specialties in question. Neurosurgeons and orthopedists trained in the European Union have thus acquired expertise in the diagnosis and treatment – surgical or non-surgical – of spinal diseases by completing a 6-year training program after their medical studies. Upon obtaining their diploma, they have generally already performed several hundred spinal procedures.
Although some patients believe that neurosurgeons are exclusively 'brain surgeons,' it is worth noting that the majority of procedures performed in the country by neurosurgeons are spinal surgeries. In large departments and university hospitals, some neurosurgeons highly specialized in brain surgery perform little spinal surgery, but they are generally supported by a colleague who has made spinal care their primary activity.
All orthopedic surgeons perform spinal surgery during their training. In some teaching centers, there are orthopedic surgeons who are more specialized in spinal surgery and treat a significant number of patients, comparable to neurosurgery departments. In other orthopedic departments, the focus will be more on sports or joint surgery and less on the spine.
Nowadays, a large number of orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons specialize in spinal surgery, thus creating a new concept: the spinal surgeon. Whether they are neurosurgeons or orthopedic surgeons, all are capable of treating disc herniations, spinal stenosis, spinal fractures, spondylolisthesis, and bone tumors of the spine. However, differences remain in certain areas. Indeed, only neurosurgeons are authorized to operate inside the dura mater and thus treat spinal cord tumors, arachnoid cysts, syringomyelia, spinal vascular malformations, diastematomyelia, tethered cord syndrome, spina bifida, myelomeningocele, cranio-cervical junction tumors or upper cervical spine tumors, neuromas, and some other conditions. Conversely, scoliosis in both children and adults is primarily treated by orthopedists. In any case, orthopedists and neurosurgeons no longer consider themselves competitors, but rather colleagues sharing the same field of interest.
Nowadays, a patient should not settle for a neurosurgeon who performs 'a lot of brain surgery and a little spinal surgery' nor an orthopedist who performs 'a lot of hip replacements and a little spinal surgery.' They should seek a surgeon, whether orthopedic or neurosurgeon, trained in spinal surgery and who primarily focuses on it. Do not hesitate to ask your surgeon about their training, their professional interests, and whether they have presented all therapeutic options (even those they do not practice themselves). Speak up; it's your back we're talking about. Spinal surgeons place great importance on patient information so that patients can make informed treatment decisions.
Although some patients believe that neurosurgeons are exclusively 'brain surgeons,' it is worth noting that the majority of procedures performed in the country by neurosurgeons are spinal surgeries. In large departments and university hospitals, some neurosurgeons highly specialized in brain surgery perform little spinal surgery, but they are generally supported by a colleague who has made spinal care their primary activity.
All orthopedic surgeons perform spinal surgery during their training. In some teaching centers, there are orthopedic surgeons who are more specialized in spinal surgery and treat a significant number of patients, comparable to neurosurgery departments. In other orthopedic departments, the focus will be more on sports or joint surgery and less on the spine.
Nowadays, a large number of orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons specialize in spinal surgery, thus creating a new concept: the spinal surgeon. Whether they are neurosurgeons or orthopedic surgeons, all are capable of treating disc herniations, spinal stenosis, spinal fractures, spondylolisthesis, and bone tumors of the spine. However, differences remain in certain areas. Indeed, only neurosurgeons are authorized to operate inside the dura mater and thus treat spinal cord tumors, arachnoid cysts, syringomyelia, spinal vascular malformations, diastematomyelia, tethered cord syndrome, spina bifida, myelomeningocele, cranio-cervical junction tumors or upper cervical spine tumors, neuromas, and some other conditions. Conversely, scoliosis in both children and adults is primarily treated by orthopedists. In any case, orthopedists and neurosurgeons no longer consider themselves competitors, but rather colleagues sharing the same field of interest.
Nowadays, a patient should not settle for a neurosurgeon who performs 'a lot of brain surgery and a little spinal surgery' nor an orthopedist who performs 'a lot of hip replacements and a little spinal surgery.' They should seek a surgeon, whether orthopedic or neurosurgeon, trained in spinal surgery and who primarily focuses on it. Do not hesitate to ask your surgeon about their training, their professional interests, and whether they have presented all therapeutic options (even those they do not practice themselves). Speak up; it's your back we're talking about. Spinal surgeons place great importance on patient information so that patients can make informed treatment decisions.
