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Second Opinion

Considering Spine Surgery? Get an EMORY Second Opinion without leaving your home.

Have you been told you need back or neck surgery? Before you make a life-changing decision, why not get a second opinion from a world class spine specialist at the Emory Orthopaedics & Spine Center? In our experience, spine surgery in some patients can be pre-mature, too ‘large’ of an operation or not likely to resolve the symptoms.

At Emory Orthopaedics & Spine Center, we’ve made it even easier to receive expert surgical opinions without leaving your home by providing second surgical opinions virtually via telehealth services.

By choosing to receive a second opinion virtually from an Emory spine specialist, you will:

  • Reduce the fear/anxiety about your decision to have spine surgery
  • Receive a surgical opinion from one of the largest, most experienced, and most trusted Spine Centers of Excellence in the Southeast
  • Be more confident you are having the right operation, for the right reason, at the right time, and with realistic expectations about the likelihood of success or complications
  • See and talk in real-time with a spine surgeon about your diagnosis and ask questions
  • Eliminate additional time away from work and family by avoiding the need to travel

How It Works

  • Request an appointment online or call 404.778.3350 to schedule.
  • Work with our care coordinator to complete the necessary paperwork, upload your spine images, and test the required computer or phone set up for a video appointment.

At Emory Orthopaedics & Spine Center, our spine surgeons evaluate and treat conditions ranging from simple herniated discs to most complex problems, such as spinal tumors, scoliosis, and spine fractures.

Many spine conditions can be treated non-operatively, but when spine surgery is necessary, you'll find exceptional care at Emory.

FAQs

What can I expect during my telehealth appointment?

Our clinical team will ask you to provide some basic medical history information (medications, medical conditions, previous surgeries). We will then take your history of the current problem and guide you through a physical examination of movement, painful areas, muscle strength, and sensation. We will then review your imaging findings with you and in some cases share our screen so we can view the imaging together. Finally, we will offer a second opinion and help guide you through your decisions including: 1) Is spine surgery appropriate at this time, or would additional non-surgical treatment or additional diagnostic testing be helpful? 2) Is the operation that has been proposed the best surgery for you, or is it too much surgery or too little surgery? 3) Do you fully understand the likelihood of success and risk of complications to make an informed decisions about moving forward with surgery?

How much does it cost to receive a virtual second opinion?

The cost of a virtual second opinion is the same as an in-person consultation. You may be responsible for co-pays or the entire cost depending on your insurance plan and annual deductible status at the time.

How long will it take to receive a report from the second opinion?

The spine surgeon will share the second opinion with you verbally during the video visit. If you choose to sign up for the Emory Healthcare patient portal you should be able to view/download your consultation note within three business days.

What do I do after my second surgical opinion?

You are able to schedule a follow-up virtual visit with an Emory spine surgeon to ask more questions or if you would like to schedule your surgery at Emory.

Do I need a physician referral?

You do not need a physician referral unless your insurance plan requires a referral from your primary care physician.

Can I request an in-person appointment to get my second opinion?

We strongly prefer the initial second opinion visit to be virtual to ensure you have all the necessary imaging and diagnostic studies. If an in person visit is then needed to complete the second opinion, we can then ensure that all needed information has been collected or ordered and the in-person visit will be efficient and allow a definitive recommendation. Our board-certified and fellowship-trained spine surgeons have undergone extensive training to offer innovative spine care. We strive to provide spine surgeries to reduce pain with as little downtime as possible.

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