When to Schedule a Second Opinion

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.
You’re 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 to provide clarity, reassurance and a personalized care plan tailored to you.

What to Expect

Our goal is to make your experience as seamless as possible. Our dedicated patient navigator will help guide you through scheduling, gathering medical records and preparing you for your visit.

Before Your Appointment

After you complete the form, our patient navigator will contact you within two business days and will ask about:

Your insurance coverage
Your diagnosis and recent treatments
The date of 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 if you aren’t sure how to get them.

Northwestern Medicine® is a trademark of Northwestern Memorial HealthCare, used by Northwestern University.

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 below. A patient navigator 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.

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

Meet Our Team

Alpesh A. Patel, MD
Co-Director
Chicago, Oak Brook

Srikanth N. Divi, MD
Chicago, Evanston

Wellington K. Hsu, MD
Chicago, Glenview

Tyler R. Koski, MD
Co-Director
Chicago

Ali A. Baaj, MD
Chicago

The Center for Spine Health at Northwestern Memorial Hospital combines the expertise of orthopaedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, physical therapists and more, all in one 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.

We also see patients in Oak Brook, Glenview, Evanston and Mokena. You only need to travel to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in downtown Chicago if you need surgery.

Orthopaedic Spine Specialists

Neurosurgical Spine Specialists

Kevin Swong, MD
Chicago

Jean-Paul Wolinsky, MD
Chicago

Conditions We Evaluate and Treat

Our multidisciplinary team specializes 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
Spinal tumors
Rheumatologic disorders of the spine

Najib El Tecle, MD
Chicago

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 your specific condition. You can take as much time as you need to review your plan. There is no obligation to schedule additional appointments unless you want to continue with this care plan at Northwestern Medicine.

Schedule A Second Opinion Appointment Today

Get a Spine Surgery Second Opinion at Northwestern Medicine

If you’ve been told you need spine surgery for a back, neck or spine condition, getting a second opinion can help you feel more confident in your care plan.

At Northwestern Medicine Center for Spine Health, our experts offer thorough evaluations for the full range of spine conditions, so you can make a more informed decision about your care.

To schedule a second opinion appointment, fill out the form below. A patient navigator will contact you within two business days. For faster service, please call 312.500.2128.

Illustration of process: Call or Fill Out Form > Get a Reply Within 1-2 Business Days > Talk with a Patient Navigator > Navigator Submits Scheduling Request > Navigator Helps Get Your Health Records > Have Your Appointment

Why Choose Us

Northwestern Memorial Hospital is a top choice in Illinois for the most complex spine cases, delivering advanced care when it matters most, according to Vizient.
More experience brings more expertise. Northwestern Memorial Hospital is a leading provider of spine surgery in Illinois, offering state-of-the-art equipment, leading-edge techniques and a team you can trust, per Vizient.
Our care teams help patients recover faster and return to daily activities sooner after spine surgery, without compromising safety or quality, per Vizient.
By choosing Northwestern Memorial Hospital for spine surgery, you may return to your daily activities sooner, per Vizient.
When surveyed, 93% of patients said they would recommend their Northwestern Medicine orthopaedic surgeon or neurosurgeon, according to Northwestern Medicine patient experience surveys in fiscal year 2025.
Patients choose Northwestern Memorial Hospital for spinal fusion because our patients often spend less time in the hospital after surgery, per Vizient.
Northwestern Memorial Hospital is among the nation’s safest hospitals for spinal fusion, with outcomes that exceed expectations and reflect our commitment to excellence, according to Vizient.

* Northwestern Memorial Hospital is proud to be nationally ranked for orthopaedics, and to be No. 6 in the U.S. for neurology and neurosurgery, per U.S. News & World Report, 2025–2026.

Matthew Colman, MD
Chicago, Mokena

How to Prepare for Your Visit

To make sure you receive the most accurate and effective evaluation, appointments with a spine surgeon require both of the following:

Recent imaging - You must have an MRI or CT scan of the affected area. If you do not have imaging, you will first meet with a spine physiatrist or clinician who can order the appropriate imaging before your surgical consult.
Proof of nonsurgical treatment - Before a surgeon visit, we require documentation that you have completed appropriate nonsurgical treatments, such as:

Physical therapy (typically for six weeks or more within the last six months)
Spine injections when appropriate for your diagnosis

If you already have an MRI but have not completed PT or injections, you will first meet with a nonsurgical spine specialist who will coordinate these treatments.

Most spine conditions improve with nonsurgical care, and insurance often requires these steps before surgery. If you still need surgery after imaging and nonsurgical treatment, we will schedule a visit with a spine surgeon who specializes in your condition.

Why Get a Second Opinion for Spine Surgery?

Deciding to have spine surgery can be complicated. We’re here to make sure it’s not.

Before making a life-changing decision, it’s important you understand all your options. Get a second opinion from experts at one of the leading hospitals in the nation for orthopaedics, neurology and neurosurgery.*

Our spine specialists can:

Confirm your diagnosis
Review previous imaging or treatments
Recommend nonsurgical options
Ensure your treatment plan is the right one