If you have a spinal injury or pinched nerve, you might wonder what type of doctor to see for treatment. In particular, it can be confusing to decide whether a neurologist or an orthopedic doctor should treat your injury. This is because neurologists and orthopedic doctors typically evaluate similar conditions with overlap like herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and spinal fractures. Let’s discuss how each differs in their area of specialty, treatment options, and more.
Basics of Each
Before we directly compare the two, it’s important to understand the foundation of each:
What a Neurologist Does
A neurologist is a medical doctor who specializes in diseases and disorders that affect the nervous system (brain, spinal cord, nerves, and muscles). They are primarily associated with treating neurological conditions with symptoms like headaches, tingling sensations, numbness or loss of feeling, and even impaired mental ability. In the event of a spinal injury, a neurologist may look for signs and symptoms of neurological impairment caused by damage to this critical component of the body. Neurologists can also diagnose traumatic brain injuries using tools that monitor brain activity and nerve responses.
What an Orthopedist Does
An orthopedic doctor specializes in injuries to the musculoskeletal system (bones, joints, and muscles in your neck, back, and spine). While there is overlap with neurologists when it comes to spinal injuries, orthopedists are more commonly associated with repairing broken bones, dislocations, and sprains that affect your muscles, tendons, and other connective tissues. Common diseases that orthopedists help treat include arthritis and osteoporosis.
Learn more about orthopedic doctors and what they do here
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Neurologist vs. Orthopedic Doctor: Differences
While both neurologists and orthopedic doctors specialize in spinal disorders and certain muscular injuries, the expanded areas they treat are where the differentiation lies. There is overlap in spinal and muscular treatment, but neurologists tend to focus more on injuries resulting in nerve damage and pain rather than bones, joints, and tendons. Think of an orthopedist as focusing on the body’s frame and structure (bones, joints, tendons) and neurologists as focusing on how the body passes signals from one area to the next (spinal cord, nerves, muscles).
There are further differences in their styles and methods of treatment and care. While an orthopedic doctor may work with immobilization and passive healing for injuries like broken bones, a neurologist is more likely to treat spinal injuries that could require surgery. In fact, only neurologists have the skill and ability to perform surgery in specific areas of the spine like the dura.
Orthopedic Doctor or Neurologist for Pain Management?
If a spinal injury or condition causes you chronic pain, it’s important to determine the root cause and not just cover the symptoms. If it’s primarily due to bones or tendons, an orthopedic doctor might be the better option. They can assess a fracture or tear and develop a treatment plan to manage the pain and avoid chronic discomfort in the future.
For pain involving nerve-related symptoms (burning sensation, tingling/pins and needles, sensitivity to temperature, etc.), a neurologist is the best option for evaluating and diagnosing the cause. Many spinal injuries can affect not only the vertebrae themselves but also the muscles and nerves nearby. Persistent nerve pain that won’t go away and is starting to affect your daily life should be immediately assessed by a neurologist for a proper diagnosis and to determine a treatment plan. These treatment plans can include a combination of therapies depending on your specific condition, such as pain medications, injections, medical devices, and even surgical intervention if necessary.
Back Pain
Back pain can be caused by a number of factors — discomfort due to herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or degenerative disc disease should be checked by an orthopedic doctor. If your back pain is accompanied by symptoms like numbness, weakness, or tingling in your legs, a neurologist might be better suited.
Neck Pain
For neck pain resulting from whiplash, cervical disc herniation, or arthritis, try speaking to an orthopedic doctor first. If your neck hurts after sleeping, this is best treated by a chiropractor. Similar to back pain, if you’re also feeling numbness or tingling in your arms or hands, difficulty with coordination, or headaches, a neurologist may be necessary.
Sciatica
Another common point of overlap between orthopedic doctors and neurologists is sciatica. Some of the most common causes are herniated discs or spinal stenosis, both of which fall under an orthopedic doctor’s expertise. However, any neurological symptoms like severe numbness, leg weakness, or loss of bladder or bowel control might indicate a more complicated cause that should be evaluated by a neurologist.
Get the Care You Need With an Experienced Team of Doctors
At ProCare, you can rest assured that you’ll be taken care of by a team of doctors who have the experience and expertise to create a personalized treatment plan to ease your pain. Our team of medical providers includes neurologists, orthopedic doctors, chiropractors, pain management doctors, and more. Our offices house state-of-the-art equipment so you get the best care from a multidisciplinary team of professionals. Whether you have a neck injury from a car accident or are managing a spinal cord disorder, you can receive quality, comprehensive care immediately. Book an appointment today or visit one of our locations.
