Second opinions are becoming increasingly common in the medical world. When a second opinion confirms a diagnosis, it can be a weight off the patient’s back. But if a second opinion is drastically different than the first opinion, it can cause a patient even more anxiety. Here, we will talk about the importance of a second opinion before moving forward with your card, and what to do if you get differing medical opinions.
Getting a second (or third) medical opinion is a common practice in this day and age. Patients want to be certain they are making the best decision about their care, and medicine is not always black and white. This is especially true in the realm of pain medicine, because pain is such a subjective symptom. A patient may present with back pain, and two doctors may disagree on the root cause of the pain. One may diagnose the patient with a herniated disc, while the other diagnoses spinal stenosis. Since, the treatment approaches for these two conditions are different, how is the patient supposed to know what to do?
Every patient is unique, and there is no one size fits all treatment that will work to reduce everyone’s pain. Managing pain is all about finding the right treatment approach for your specific situation. The best thing you can do is make sure you have the best possible care team. Be sure to visit a pain doctor who is well regarded and has a good track record for treating patients with your type of pain. And if you are unsatisfied with your current care, by all means, seek a second opinion.
At Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN we diagnose and treat each patient according to their unique needs. Our board-certified Edina pain doctors have been treating patients throughout Minnesota for over two decades. If you are confused about a diagnosis, or haven’t been able to find the pain care you need, contact our clinic today to set up your appointment with one of our physicians. We will listen to your story, and help find a solution that will get you back to living a pain-free life.