If you are experiencing intractable neck or back pain, your best bet is to see an orthopedic spine surgeon—a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of the entire range of conditions affecting the spine.
However, with the thousands of practicing orthopedic spine surgeons in the country, searching for and choosing the right one can be challenging.
Streamline your search by asking the people you trust. Your primary care physician is a good referral source. It also helps to ask your family, friends, relatives, and colleagues for recommendations. Once you have drawn up a list of potential candidates, consider the following criteria when deciding which one is the right orthopedic spine surgeon for you.
Credentials and Background
Board certification and fellowship training are good yardsticks for clinical competence: they give you the assurance that the orthopedic spine surgeon you are contemplating working with is highly qualified, adept, and knowledgeable about the latest advances in the field.
The American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) have member databases where you can check an orthopedic spine surgeon’s board certification status.
Additionally, make sure that the orthopedic spine surgeon has a spotless track record. The Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) website is a useful tool for verifying your spine surgeon has no history of malpractice lawsuits or disciplinary action.
Reputation
A 2018 study shows that 91 percent of patients trust online reviews as much as they do their personal recommendations.
Although not the sole deciding factor, online reviews can help you decide with greater confidence by giving you an idea of the spine surgeon’s reputation.
Google My Business, Healthgrades, and the practice’s social media page and website are some of the places on the Internet where you can learn about a spine surgeon’s reputation.
When scouring for reviews, focus on the specific and detailed ones, such as those that talk about staff friendliness, the doctor’s attitude, ease of booking appointments, and treatment outcomes.
Bedside Manner and Compatibility
When choosing a spine surgeon, consider not just their expertise, background, and reputation, but also their professionalism, bedside manner, and compatibility with them. The only way you can ascertain these is to see the spine surgeon in person.
During your appointment, pay attention to the surgeon’s demeanor and communication style. If they take the time to listen to and understand your concerns, thoroughly explain your treatment options, express genuine concern about the outcome of your treatment, and you feel comfortable around them, they are likely the ones you are looking for.
Spine Surgeon in Bloomfield, Enfield, Rocky Hill, and Vernon, CT
If you are looking for a reliable spine surgeon in the Broomfield area in Connecticut, visit us at Advanced Orthopedics New England. Dr. David Kruger, our board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon, has established a reputation of excellence spanning over three decades for consistently delivering unmatched patient experience and treatment outcomes.
Seeing Dr. Kruger means you are under the care of a highly credentialed physician who genuinely cares about your health and overall well-being.
To see Dr. Kruger, contact our friendly staff at (860) 242-3000. We have four offices throughout Connecticut: Enfield, Bloomfield, Rocky Hill, and Vernon. We look forward to providing you with the highest quality of spine care!
