Questions patients actually ask.

Start with SpineSense, my guided intake questionnaire, from the request-appointment page. It structures your symptoms and history before your visit, and the office follows up to schedule a time. If you would rather talk to a person first, you can always call the office.

No referral is needed to request a consultation. Some insurance plans do require one for coverage, though, so it is worth checking your plan before your visit.

Yes. Second opinions are a standing offer here, not an exception. If you have been told you need spine surgery, bring your imaging and reports and I will give you a direct, unhurried read before you decide anything.

Referring providers have a separate path so their patients are scheduled efficiently and reports make it back quickly. If your doctor is sending you here, the details live on the referral page for providers.

Recent MRI or CT images (on disc or through portal access), the radiology report, any prior surgical recommendation, and a list of treatments you have tried so far. If you do not have everything, bring what you have and the office can help track down the rest.

Yes. Outside imaging is welcome. I read the images myself rather than relying on the report alone, and walking through them together is often the most useful part of the visit.

That is common, and it should not stop you from being seen. If imaging is needed, it can be arranged as part of your evaluation.

No. The web forms on this site are not a HIPAA-secure channel, so please do not include detailed health information in them. Keep online messages general, and call the office when you need to share something sensitive.

No. Many of the patients I see are treated without an operation. My job is to tell you what your imaging and exam actually show and whether surgery would genuinely help, not to find you an operation. Every spine is different.

These are techniques for reaching the spine through smaller openings, working between muscles instead of cutting through them. Endoscopic surgery goes a step further, using a thin camera through an opening about the width of a pen. The aim is to treat the problem while disturbing less of the healthy tissue around it. Whether a given technique fits your situation depends on your anatomy and diagnosis.

Instead of fusing two vertebrae together, motion-preserving procedures such as artificial disc replacement treat the problem while keeping the segment mobile. It is not right for every spine, and part of my evaluation is deciding whether preserving motion is a realistic option for yours.

A few symptoms are red flags: new weakness in an arm or leg, loss of bladder or bowel control, or numbness in the saddle area. If any of these appear, seek emergency care immediately. Do not wait for an appointment.