Spinal FAQs

Not all neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons are a qualified to be considered spine surgeons.

The surgical training for spinal surgery is highly specialized. The techniques used in spinal surgery must be accurate and precise—there is no room for error. Becoming a spine surgeon is an extremely competitive and demanding process. It requires excellent test scores during four years of medical school, five years of orthopaedic surgery residency, and an additional year of in a spine surgery fellowship.

It is best to see a spine surgeon if neck or back pain is negatively affecting your quality of life and not improved by conservative treatments such as oral pain medications.

Spinal surgery is usually the final step in the treatment process—not the first. Many of our patients come to us after they have been treated with medication and therapy and the results have been disappointing or not completely effective. At Progressive Spine & Orthopaedics, we manage all aspects of spinal care, both operative and non-operative. Dr. Rovner is a spinal care specialist. If you are considering spinal surgery, injections, or looking for a second opinion, we are happy to assist you with all your spinal care needs and to help you return to a healthy life.

Getting a full range of motion, strength, and flexibility back after surgery usually takes time. That’s where pre-operative exercise and education and post-operative physical therapy programs can help. These programs help ensure that you are physically and emotionally prepared for surgery and to maximize your recovery after surgery.

Many people require physical therapy after surgery, but not always. As with all treatment plans at Progressive Spine & Orthopaedics, your course of therapy will be customized to your specific needs. Therefore, postoperative physical therapy is prescribed as needed on a case-by-case basis.

Before visiting Progressive Spine & Orthopaedics, please have the following information available to bring with you:

• Current insurance information
• Driver’s license or State ID
• Copies of operation records, medical records, X-rays, MRIs, CT scans from prior doctor visits
• Any relevant reports
• List of medications, including over-the-counter drugs, herbal remedies, and supplements
• If you have had surgery elsewhere, please bring a copy of your operative report

Please also download and fill out the New Patient Registration forms, which you can find on our Patient Information page under Patient Forms. Having this information available and completed will speed up processing time during your first visit.

One of the most common work-related injuries is spinal injury. The physicians at Progressive Spine & Orthopaedics have extensive experience dealing with patients who have injured their spine or neck area in work-related cases. Our goal is to provide care that helps you get back to your pre-injury condition and return to work as soon as possible.

At Progressive Spine & Orthopaedics, wea are happy to see you no matter what insurance plan you have. While we may not participate in your plan, many insurance plans provide for out-of-network benefits and we will make every effort to keep the out-of-pocket costs of your visits to a minimum.

Progressive Spine & Orthopaedics is dedicated to relieving your pain and restoring your spinal health so that you can function normally again. To meet with our fellowship-trained, board-certified spine surgeon, please call our office at 201-379-4314 to request a consultation. You can also learn more about our insurance partners at our Insurance Coverage Page.

Minimally invasive surgery is done thorough smaller incisions and uses tubular dilators to accomplish the same results as traditional surgery with much less tissue damage. Minimally invasive surgery usually associated with much less postoperative pain and disability.

Benefits of Minimally Invasive Surgery are:

• Less pain
• Faster recovery
• Shorter hospital stay
• Aesthetically better result (i.e., smaller scar)

Conditions treated with Minimally Invasive Surgery are:

• Low Back Pain
• Herniated Discs
• Spinal Stenosis
• Spondylolisthesis
• Degenerative Scoliosis