A growing number of patients are being referred for surgical evaluation for increasingly complex and costly spinal problems. There is often a clinical and economic value of second opinions for spine problems.
The medical literature shows that differing opinions among surgeons regarding a particular spinal problem is not uncommon. Diagnostic discordance between specialists is 24.8%, and treatment discordance is 49.2% according to some of the published literature. This can be due to variable training and experience between spine surgeons, the different times elapsed between spine surgical opinions, and the potential changes occurring in the patients’ clinical status between opinions.
Every patient is entitled to a second opinion if they so wish. Most specialists are very open to encouraging patients to seek a second opinion. Discussing a possible second opinion with your referring physician is always a good idea.
A second opinion can lead to a better understanding of your clinical problem, an increased awareness of the expected outcome and possible surgical complications. It can also outline the possibility of options other than surgery to treat your problem.
DR. JOHN M. DUFF – MD FACS
Neurosurgeon and Director of I³Spine
Specialist in spinal and cranio-vertebral junction surgery
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