Is "spine surgery" a specialization after orthopaedics or neurosurgery residency that requires additional fellowship training? What is the difference in the scope of work of an orthopedic spine surgeon versus that of a neurologically trained spine surgeon? One neurosurgeon I spoke with over the phone said he trusted a neurosurgeon in a spine surgery operation more than an orthopaedist. When I meet orthopaedic spine surgeons though, they seem really up to date in the literature for new treatment techniques, devices, and patient care. I am kind of moving towards a stereotyping rant here, but it's interesting I have noticed many, not just one or two, neurosurgeons who are ultra compassionate in bed side manor, versus a lot of the orthopaedic guys I meet who have a bit of a tough, abrasive personality. This could all be based on who I meet though, and maybe they had military training that made them that way. Is the career interchangeable much like a foot surgeon with orthopaedic training versus a foot surgeon with podiatric training, or a hand surgeon with a background in orthopaedic versus plastic? The reason I really don't want to google the question, is because I might get a better idea of the careers from somebody first hand in the medical field.
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Spinal surgery does not require a fellowship, but they can be done if you choose to. A neurosurgeon or orthopedic surgeon can limit their practice to spines without a fellowship.
I've seen hundreds of spine surgeries by both neuro and ortho guys, and I'd choose a neurosurgeon every time. They're more careful, IMO. I want someone who is primarily concerned with the nerves as opposed to the bones.
Regarding bedside manner, there are surgeons in each specialty who are a delight to be around, and those who are flaming assholes. If you want to stereotype, the ortho guys are jocks, and the neuro guys are a little bit strange. They all know what they are doing, though. (And I said "guys" because most of them are).
The careers are not interchangeable. Orthopedic spine surgeons still do other ortho surgeries. If they are on call when the ORIF of the femur rolls in, they do it. Neuro guys will do other neuro surgeries. If they're on call when the closed head injury comes in, they put the bolt in the head (yes, that is what it is called). There is overlap, not interchangeability. Yes, it's similar to the overlap in hands with ortho and plastics. (Don't confuse podiatrists with medical doctors, either. I'm not going down that road)
If this is something you are considering for a career, hold off until you are in your clinical rotations in med school, and can see where you fit in. There are a lot of personality issues that go into specialty choice, and you have to see where your type of people are.
I've seen hundreds of spine surgeries by both neuro and ortho guys, and I'd choose a neurosurgeon every time. They're more careful, IMO. I want someone who is primarily concerned with the nerves as opposed to the bones.
Regarding bedside manner, there are surgeons in each specialty who are a delight to be around, and those who are flaming assholes. If you want to stereotype, the ortho guys are jocks, and the neuro guys are a little bit strange. They all know what they are doing, though. (And I said "guys" because most of them are).
The careers are not interchangeable. Orthopedic spine surgeons still do other ortho surgeries. If they are on call when the ORIF of the femur rolls in, they do it. Neuro guys will do other neuro surgeries. If they're on call when the closed head injury comes in, they put the bolt in the head (yes, that is what it is called). There is overlap, not interchangeability. Yes, it's similar to the overlap in hands with ortho and plastics. (Don't confuse podiatrists with medical doctors, either. I'm not going down that road)
If this is something you are considering for a career, hold off until you are in your clinical rotations in med school, and can see where you fit in. There are a lot of personality issues that go into specialty choice, and you have to see where your type of people are.