How do I choose a doctor for my spinal problem?
Rule No. 1: My doctor must be a doctor.
Make sure that the doctor you have chosen is a member of a medical association and that the practice is legally operating.
Rule No. 2: My doctor must be able to offer me the treatment I may need.
The treatment you will need is usually non-surgical. In some cases, however, you may need surgical repair of your problem. A doctor or therapist who cannot offer you surgical treatment may delay your referral to a surgeon, which can have permanent negative effects on the final outcome of your treatment.
Rule No. 3: My doctor must be specialized in the treatment of diseases of the Spine.
Would you consult a cardiologist for a problem with your eyes? If your problem concerns the spine, it makes sense to seek out a doctor who specializes in spinal diseases. A few decades ago, the treatment of such diseases was undertaken by either Orthopedics or Neurosurgeons who “dealt” with the spine. In recent years, in the Western world, the subspecialty of spinal surgery has developed to meet the increased demands for the treatment of diseases in this area. Doctors from either the Orthopedics or Neurosurgery specialty are trained in spinal surgery and focus solely on the treatment of spinal diseases. Now, this subspecialty has been proven to offer the best treatment for spinal diseases.
Rule No. 4: My doctor must have received appropriate training in the treatment of spinal diseases.
The training of spine surgeons is done through targeted training in large centers abroad. Make sure that your doctor is a “Fellowship trained Spine Surgeon” in one of the large centers abroad, as there is no equivalent center in Greece that can offer this training.
Rule No. 5: My doctor must have the required experience.
Make sure that your doctor has the required experience to treat your problem. You can ask him directly how many similar cases he has treated in the past and you can also ask to be put in touch with patients who are willing to talk to you about their experience with this doctor.
Rule No. 6: The healthcare facility where I will receive treatment must be properly equipped, ideally with the most modern means and equipment.
It is essential that you receive your treatment in a facility that is properly equipped and has the most modern equipment. At Athens Medical Center we have the most modern in spine surgery including 3D intraoperative imaging and navigation, preoperative planning through simulation and artificial intelligence assistance, and robotic spine surgery.
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