Spine Surgery Second Opinion

Why seek a second opinion

A Specialist Review of Your Spine Surgery Recommendation

Being advised to undergo spine surgery can raise important questions about your diagnosis, the proposed procedure and what other considerations may be relevant to your treatment.

A second opinion provides an opportunity to have your case assessed by another spine specialist before making your decision.

It may help you better understand:

• Why surgery has been recommended
• How your imaging relates to your symptoms
• What the proposed procedure is intended to address
• Whether further assessment is required
• Whether other treatment approaches may need to be considered
• What treatment and recovery may involve

A second opinion does not assume that the original recommendation is right or wrong. It provides an additional specialist assessment of your individual case.

About your imaging

Your MRI Is Important — But It Is Not the Whole Decision

MRI imaging provides important information about the structures of the spine, but an MRI finding alone does not necessarily determine whether surgery is required.

The imaging needs to be considered in relation to factors such as:

• Symptoms
• Neurological findings
• Clinical history
• Previous treatment
• Spinal stability
• Previous surgery

Depending on the individual case, further clinical examination or investigations may be required before a definitive treatment recommendation can be made.

A dedicated pathway

Specifically Been Advised Spinal Fusion?

Spinal fusion may be recommended when stabilization of part of the spine is considered necessary. If you have specifically been advised spinal fusion, a dedicated second-opinion pathway is available to assess the diagnosis, imaging and clinical factors behind the proposed procedure.

For patients in the UK

For Patients in the UK

Patients who have received a spine surgery recommendation in the UK can begin the second-opinion process remotely.

Your available imaging and medical records can be submitted for consideration, followed by an online consultation with Dr. Rami Hamed where appropriate.

Depending on appointment availability, a same-day online consultation may be possible.

You can then consider the clinical assessment before deciding whether you wish to pursue any further assessment or treatment in Dubai.