Spinal Surgery: Why Only Neurosurgeons (and Orthopedic Spine Surgeons) Perform It

Neurosurgeons are physicians who complete medical school, a 7-year neurosurgery residency, and often a fellowship. They diagnose and surgically treat disorders of the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves—including the entire spine.

Orthopedic surgeons with spine fellowship training also perform spinal surgery, focusing on structural/deformity correction (scoliosis, fractures, degenerative conditions).

Both are fully qualified. The choice often depends on the specific pathology: neurosurgeons for intradural/spinal cord tumors, complex nerve decompression; orthopedic spine surgeons for deformity, revision, complex reconstruction. Many work collaboratively in multidisciplinary spine centers.

Other professionals (pain management physicians, interventional radiologists) perform minimally invasive procedures (epidural injections, vertebroplasty, nerve ablations) but not open spinal surgery.