What Are the Neck Pain Specialist’s Training and Board Certifications?
The very first feature to look for in a neck pain specialist is training. The neck is a complex structure, and procedures are often delicate. You want to feel confident that your physician is fully qualified to perform the treatments they are offering. The following questions will help determine whether a specialist has the training you are looking for:
- Where did they attend medical school?
- Where was their residency and fellowship, and in what specialty?
- What are their board certifications?
- How long have they been in practice?
- Have they won any awards for quality of care?
The best physicians, including Dr. Branko Skovrlj at NU-Spine, will answer these questions openly on their website or biography page.
Does the Neck Pain Specialist Stay Up to Date with Research?
Extensive training and experience are good signs of quality, but they aren’t everything. A well-trained, highly experienced physician may still be using outdated methods. The medical field is constantly advancing with new discoveries that improve treatment efficacy or reduce recovery times.
One way to make sure your specialist is up to date is by checking their professional memberships. Organizations like the North American Spine Society (NASS) and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) are dedicated to improving medical care. They provide continued education and access to medical publications, helping physicians keep their skills sharp and stay updated with the latest innovations.
You can also ask about research contributions. Dr. Skovrlj not only benefits from other physicians’ work; he actively participates in research efforts to improve spine surgery, earning awards from medical organizations around the globe. He is at the forefront of medical advancement.
What Neck Pain Treatment Options Are Available?
Different physicians have different specialties and limitations. Not every neck specialist can provide all forms of treatment; they may lack the experience or equipment for certain complex procedures. Depending on your needs, this may be an obstacle. Even a well-trained, up-to-date neurosurgeon may be a poor fit if they cannot deliver the treatment that best fits your particular case.
When looking for a neck pain specialist, ask the candidates about the procedures and treatments they offer. This includes what is available at their facility, what their expertise is focused on, and what they might recommend for your condition. Favor facilities that take a personalized approach to care. Not only does this indicate flexibility with a variety of treatments, but it also tells you that the facility prioritizes patient-centered care that will be tailored to your unique needs.
At NU-Spine, we take a comprehensive and customized approach to care, ensuring that every patient’s needs are met to the best of our ability.
Do They Use Minimally Invasive Procedures?
Minimally invasive spine surgery refers to an advanced approach to spine surgery. These procedures use highly precise equipment, including:
- Tubular retractors to part muscles without cutting
- Tiny cameras that provide a real-time video feed to guide the surgeon’s instruments
- Endoscopic tools designed to operate in narrow spaces
These tools allow the surgeon to reduce the incision size significantly. Rather than cutting through skin, muscle, and soft tissue to fully expose the spine, minimally invasive procedures are performed through a tiny opening with almost no damage to surrounding tissue. This provides benefits like less post-operative pain, a decreased risk of infection, and a faster recovery.
In addition, many minimally invasive procedures can be performed on an outpatient basis. This means patients can go home the same day as their surgery without spending a night at the hospital. This is just another reason minimally invasive methods are often superior.
At NU-Spine, Dr. Skovrlj performs minimally invasive procedures whenever possible to allow patients to reap the associated benefits.
What Are the Risks?
Though you may not wish to think about them, understanding the risks is important to treatment planning. Every medical procedure, no matter how advanced, comes with some amount of risk. Common complications with neck surgery include:
- Negative reactions to anesthesia
- Nerve irritation that results in continued pain
- Infections at the incision site
- Drug interactions that cause unexpected symptoms
- Hidden factors that affect surgical outcomes
Knowing the risks – and their likelihood of occurring – is preferable to being taken by surprise. Not only will this help you feel more confident about your treatment, but it is also an opportunity to discuss what to look for. With appropriate preparation, surgical complications can be avoided or mitigated.
What Are the Expectations for Recovery?
Finally, ask your surgeon what to expect from recovery. Though minimally invasive procedures allow for a faster and easier healing process, you will still need time to recuperate. Make sure you understand how long this will take and what unique needs and limitations you might face. This enables you to make the appropriate arrangements in advance, such as taking time off from work or setting up your home for a comfortable recovery.
Find a Neck Pain Specialist Near You in New Jersey
If you need a neck pain specialist in New Jersey, look no further than NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute. We specialize in performing cutting-edge, minimally invasive treatments for all types of neck and back conditions. Contact us with any questions you have for our award-winning spine surgeon or schedule an initial consultation at one of our locations near you in New Jersey.