Hello everyone. I am due to have microdiscectomey L3,4,5 due to work injury on May 4th. Have seen 2 nuero and one ortho. All agreed I should have the surgery. I have a consultation with surgeon next week. Are there any questions I should be asking, I am at a lose. Brain out of gear, lol

Find out which one has a spine fellowship.

What is a spine fellowship and how important is it?

Fishinjim,

Fly and I have both been through so much and we are believers in our doc's being spine specialist. One who is, whether neuro or ortho will have done a spine fellowship (you can check your doc's background on your states web site - may be under the health dept if you don't find it as a separate unit). Also, a spine specialist will do almost no surgeries other than spines as they are in demand. Many good ortho and neuro's do work on spines, along with shoulders, hands, etc, but if you suffer with multiple back problems or have had problems in the past, you want to try to have this best, a spine specialist and not a general surgeon in the neuro or ortho field.

You may wish to ask questions about use of a gel to reduce scaring (internally) if you have had scar tissue problems in the past. I do and it means a big difference in my recovery. You may also want to know what limits you will have for what period of time, such as driving, not bending the back, when to goto PT - those types of things. You won't feel like asking a lot of questions when you are being released from the hospital.