Schedule a second opinion appointment if any of these apply to you:
- You have been told you have exhausted all nonsurgical options for your back, neck or spine condition.
- You have been told that spine surgery is the only option for you or you are scheduled for spine surgery with another surgeon.
- You have pain, weakness, numbness or tingling spreading to your legs or arms.
- You have a hard time standing upright because of pain or curvature of your spine.
Our goal is a seamless experience for you. That’s why we have a dedicated patient navigator who will work with you to make the process as stress-free as possible. After you complete the form, our dedicated patient navigator will contact you within two business days.
After you complete the form, we will call you within two business days. We will ask:
- For your insurance information
- About your diagnosis and recent treatments
- When you got your most recent MRI or CT scan
We may ask you to bring your medical records with you. Ask our patient navigator for help if you don’t have your records or know how to get them.
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Northwestern Medicine® | 251 East Huron Street | Chicago, Illinois 60611 | nm.org
Northwestern Medicine Center for Spine Health
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Lavin Family Pavilion
259 East Erie Street
14th Floor, Suite 1450
Chicago, Illinois 60611
To schedule a second opinion appointment, fill out the form to have a patient liaison contact you, or call 312.500.2128.
For more information on getting a second opinion, download the spine surgery second opinion guide.
TTY for those who are deaf or hard of hearing: 711
What You Can Expect
Meet Our Team
Alpesh A. Patel, MD
Co-Director
Tyler R. Koski, MD
Co-Director
The Center for Spine Health at Northwestern Memorial Hospital combines the expertise of orthopaedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, physical therapists and more, all in the same place. Our team can evaluate and treat the full range of back, neck and spine conditions — from simple herniated discs to complex conditions like scoliosis.
Orthopaedic Spine Specialists
Neurosurgical Spine Specialists
We know navigating care can be overwhelming. That’s why we offer second opinions, which can help you make a more informed, confident decision.
Our team includes experts who specialize in the full range of back, neck and spine conditions, including:
- Failed neck or back surgery syndrome
- Sciatica
- Scoliosis
- Kyphosis
- Lordosis
- Spinal stenosis
- Degenerative disc disease
- Herniated disc
- Radiculopathy (pinched nerve)
- Spondylosis
- Intervertebral disc displacement
- Post-laminectomy syndrome
- Rheumatologic disorders of the spin
Before making a life-changing decision, get a second opinion from experts at one of the leading hospitals in the nation for orthopaedics, neurology and neurosurgery.*
To schedule a second opinion appointment at Northwestern Medicine Center for Spine Health, fill out the form below. A member of our team will contact you within two business days.
For faster service, please call 312.500.2128. In most cases, we can schedule your second opinion visit within two business days of your first intake call.
During Your Appointment
Your appointment will last about 60 minutes.
- We will take X-rays.
- A nurse will see you. They will review your medical history and gather basic information about your condition.
- You'll meet with a physician who specializes in your specific condition. They will ask you about:
- Your condition and how it affects your life
- Treatments you have had so far
- Results of those treatments
After Your Appointment
You’ll leave with a detailed care plan for to your specific condition. You can take as much time as you need to review your plan.
We will not expect you to make more appointments unless you want to continue with this care plan at Northwestern Medicine.
If you’ve been told you need surgery for your back, neck or spine condition, getting a second opinion can help you feel confident in your care plan.
Finding the right treatment plan can be confusing. We’re here to make sure it’s not.
Why Choose Us
- Our team combines the expertise of neurosurgeons and orthopaedic surgeons. This approach helps ensure you get the right care from the right specialist.
- While some spine surgeons also operate on other parts of the body, our spine surgeons only perform spine surgeries.
- Our surgeons complete many spine surgeries each year. They have extensive experience in innovative procedures and use advanced technology.
- We offer minimally invasive and computer-assisted surgery, which can mean a faster recovery time and better results for you.
* Northwestern Memorial Hospital is proud to be nationally ranked for neurology and neurosurgery, and to be No. 11 in the U.S for orthopaedics, per U.S. News & World Report, 2024 – 2025.