At Kalra Brain & Spine in Frisco, Texas, Ricky Kalra, M.D. is a board certified, spine fellowship trained neurosurgeon who specializes in conservative treatment, minimally invasive spine surgery, and complex spinal deformity. During Dr. Kalra’s fellowship training he completed an additional six months of training in Germany to learn advanced spine procedures and new technologies coming out of Europe. Dr. Kalra also has been recognized as a D Best Neurosurgeon in Dallas by his physicians colleagues from 2017-2023. 

Does Dr. Kalra See Patients for Second Opinions?

Yes, Dr. Kalra sees patients for second opinions and also encourages his patients to seek a second opinion. Dr. Kalra wants to ensure you make an informed decision that is best for you, your health, and your recovery, regardless if it is with him or another surgeon. Remember, statistics show that roughly 80% of Americans will experience some form of spine pain in their lifetime, however only 10% of spine pain truly requires surgery. If you have been told you need spine surgery a second opinion may also help you find treatment options you were unaware of, or never considered. Two of Dr. Kalra’s patients share their experience on how a second opinion made all the difference:

“Life Changing!! I have had a great experience with Dr. Kalra! He was my second opinion and gave me options that I did not realize I had. He really cares for his patients and will spend as much time with you as you need to answer all your questions. His team worked extremely hard with my difficult insurance to get the surgery approved that was best for me. I am a young mom who could no longer spend time with or take care of my kids due to pain. Now I am pain free and can do all the fun things with my kids again! I have my quality of life back!!” Bailey W.

“With little time remaining before my scheduled cervical fusion surgery I set out to find alternatives and discovered the Mobi-C. I found that Mobi-C patients generally have better outcomes, are less likely to need follow up surgery, are sent home the same day, do not need a neck brace, and most patients report returning back to work in one week. This sounded a lot different then my conversation with my first surgeon regarding a cervical fusion. We researched for a surgeon with advanced training on the Mobi-C and are so grateful to have found Dr. Kalra! With my surgery so close my expectations were low but Dr. Kalra and his staff went out of their way to be flexible and provide a thorough second opinion on my two level ACDF that was set to take place in less than a week. After meeting Dr. Kalra I cancelled the scheduled fusion and proceeded with his recommended C6-7 Mobi-C disc replacement. This was by far the best decision and outcome I could have hoped for. If you are looking for a neck or back surgeon, consider Dr. Kalra. He is genuinely interested in providing the best outcome and his staff is very friendly and helpful!” Jocelyn H.

What Diagnosis or Procedure Does Dr. Kalra See Most Frequently for Second Opinions? 

Patients often seek out Dr. Kalra’s experience and expertise in managing a wide variety of spinal conditions. One of the most common diagnosis Dr. Kalra sees second opinions for is patients who have cervical or neck pathology and have been recommended an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). ACDF has been considered the gold standard for many years in treating neck pathology however cervical disc replacement may be a superior  treatment option for certain patients. Many of these patients who see Dr. Kalra were unaware they had this option to avoid a fusion.

When Should I Seek a Second Opinion? 

You should seek a second opinion for spine surgery when:

• • You want to obtain additional information and knowledge on your diagnosis. 
  • No alternatives or options to a single procedure are presented.
  • Your surgeon recommends a second or confirming opinion.
  • You had previous spine surgery and require a revision surgery.
  • You are not completely comfortable or confident with your surgeon.
  • You experience difficulty in contacting or scheduling with your surgeon’s office.
  • Your surgeon refuses to perform your surgery in a hospital.
  • Your surgeon does not fully answer or address your questions regarding a recommended surgery.
  • You want to ensure you were not misdiagnosed.
  • If you feel pushed or rushed to make a decision on surgery right away.

What Should I Do After I Seek a Second Opinion? 

If you have done your due diligence and sought out a second opinion, what happens next depends on the information and recommendations you were given. If you consulted two surgeons with both confirming your pathology and surgical procedure you should have piece of mind in the recommendations. At this point you need to make the decision to proceed with surgery or continue managing your pain through physical therapy, lifestyle modifications, pain management, or medications. If you determine surgery is your preferred choice, go with your instincts and pick the surgeon who you had the best experience with. Which surgeon answered all your questions, had the best bedside manner, had the better or more helpful staff, and really put you at ease with their thoroughness and confidence. 

If you receive a second opinion that differs from your first opinion and you are not comfortable with either, it may make sense to seek a third opinion. If you find yourself in this situation make sure you do your research and know exact details of both previous surgical recommendations. You should think through each one logically, weigh pro and cons, and address your concerns or doubts with the previous recommendations. 

If you have been told you need a neck or back surgery Dr. Kalra advises you and his patients to seek a second opinion. There are many new ideas, techniques, and technologies that may help you avoid a complex spine surgery or unnecessary pain. Remember, less than ten percent of people that experience neck or back pain need spine surgery. If you are considering spine surgery and need a second opinion, call Kalra Brain & Spine at (972) 905-9226 or schedule an appointment on our website.   

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At Kalra Brain & Spine in Frisco, Texas, Ricky Kalra, M.D. is a board certified spine fellowship trained neurosurgeon who specializes in conservative management, second opinions, and minimally invasive cervical spine surgery. Following Dr. Kalra’s fellowship training he completed an additional six months of training in Germany to learn advanced spine procedures and new technologies coming out of Europe. He also received advanced training and has achieved superior outcomes utilizing cervical disc replacement technology for his patients. Dr. Kalra has been recognized as a D Best Neurosurgeon in Dallas by his physicians colleagues from 2017-2023. 

What Are The Most Common Causes of Neck Pain? 

The most common cause of neck pain is muscle strain that typically resolves in days but can last up to six weeks for more significant strains. Musculoskeletal strain describes injury to the muscle, ligaments, tendons, or bones. This occurs when one of these structures are stretched too far and tears. Most neck pain will subside on its own or with over the counter treatment such as rest, ice, and medications. Sleeping with your neck in an awkward position or being hunched over your computer for hours can both result in neck pain. Other common causes of neck pain include: 

• Degenerative conditions (osteoarthritis)
• Nerve or spinal cord compression (herniated discs) 
• Injuries or trauma (motor vehicle accidents)
• Diseases (rheumatoid arthritis)

When Should I Be Concerned About My Neck Pain? 

Neck pain can result in significant discomfort and pain. Most neck pain can be managed or controlled with conservative non-invasive treatments. You should be concerned about neck pain and seek immediate medical attention if it is so severe you can not manage it or if you have any of the following symptoms that accompany severe neck pain:

• Significant pain and numbness, tingling, or weakness in one or both hands or arms 
• Fever and headache
• Chest pain
• Chronic swollen glands
• Extreme instability of head or neck

If you experience the above symptoms neck surgery may be necessary. Neck surgery or cervical spine surgery is most commonly performed for three main reasons. The first reason is a pinched nerve or impingement on the spinal cord that may require decompression surgery. The second reason for cervical spine surgery is when a tumor or mass develops at the base of the skull or in the cervical spine that requires removal. The third reason cervical surgery may be performed, is when a patient is experiencing spinal instability and fusion surgery is recommended. With improved minimally invasive surgical techniques, pain control, and technological advancements cervical fusion is no longer a must for cervical spine surgery patients.

How is Cervical Disc Replacement Different From A Cervical Fusion? 

 The surgical procedure for an Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) involves an incision on the front of the neck and removal of the diseased disc. The cervical disc is then replaced with a surgical cage.  A metal plate is secured to the vertebral body above and below the where the cervical cage was placed.  The metal plate will provide stability of the vertebral bodies while a boney fusion is formed. Over the course of six months to one year a solid fusion mass  will form providing stability of the vertebral bodies. Anterior cervical disc replacement (ACDR) surgery requires an incision to  be made on the front of the neck and the diseased disc is removed. Instead of then fusing these bones together Dr. Kalra inserts an artificial disc that allows this space to remain open creating a more natural anatomic structure that functions like your natural disc. Although the two surgeries have similarities, the main difference is post operative cervical range of motion or neck mobility and the recovery time of a cervical disc replacement is much less than the cervical fusion.  

What Are The Benefits of Anterior Cervical Disc Replacement Compared to Anterior Cervical Disc Fusion? 

While there are potential benefits to a cervical disc replacement not all patients are candidates for this procedure. Some potential benefits include:

• Quicker recovery
• Reduced risk of adjacent segment disease
• Reduced risk of future surgery
• Greater range of cervical motion 

If you have struggled with neck or back pain and you have tried lifestyle modifications, physical therapy, medications, pain management and it is not improving it may be time to see a neurosurgeon. If you have been told you need a neck or back surgery Dr. Kalra advises you and his patients to seek a second opinion. There are many new ideas, techniques, and technologies that may help you avoid a complex spine surgery or unnecessary pain. Remember, less than ten percent of people that experience neck or back pain need spine surgery. If you are interested in learning more about cervical disc replacement, need a second opinion, or to obtain the neurosurgical treatment you need call Kalra Brain & Spine at (972) 905-9226 or schedule an appointment on our website.   

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