I recently went to see a Spine Surgeon, and I just realized that this is how his name appears on the website:

XXXXXXXXX, D.O.
Orthopedic Surgeon
Specialization: Spine Surgeon

He is also a doctor. It is Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (sp?). To my understanding they believe in a more Holistic form of treatment. I apologize if I am mistaken.

Travitch is correct. Traditionally, DOs have training that make them especially "tuned in" to spine and joint issues. They also do more "hands-on" treatment (but they are _not_ chiropractors). My favorite doc is a D.O. neurologist. In other ways, their training and expertise are essentially the same as M.Ds.

Spiro

Sbaldwin, if your concern is the level of training this doctor has recieved let me reasure you. If anything this doctor will have more training than an MD. DOs take a more "whole body" approach to healing. If you have more questions, your doctors office should have info on how his training differs from an MD. Never be afraid to ask questions of your doctor.

I had qualms, too. But my orthopedic spine specialist is a D.O. I was impressed that he had a spine fellowship. Now that he has 'fixed' me I have absolutely no more qualms.
fly

I recently went to see a Spine Surgeon, and I just realized that this is how his name appears on the website:

XXXXXXXXX, D.O.
Orthopedic Surgeon
Specialization: Spine Surgeon
Hi~Whomever you go to, I'd make sure he/she is Board Certified in that field and has done a Fellowship in that field also. jmo Barbara