Category: Spine | Author: Stefano Sinicropi | Date: April 8, 2026
We love it when patients ask questions during initial or pre-op consultations because it shows that they are interested in learning more about their condition and treatment program. There are plenty of great questions to ask ahead of surgery, but one question seems to stand out from the rest, and it proves beneficial to both patient and provider. We share the one question you should ask before spine surgery in today’s blog.
Ask This Question To Your Spine Surgeon
As we mentioned in the introduction, there are a number of great questions you should consider asking prior to surgery. How often do you perform this specific procedure? How often do you achieve successful results for this operation? What will a successful procedure look like when all is said and done? These are all important questions to consider asking, but one of our favorite questions to hear from patients is:
“How will you involve me in the decision making process?”
This question is helpful on multiple fronts. For starters, it shows your surgeon that you want to be involved in your treatment process. Sometimes patients are more than willing to sit back and do everything a doctor tells them, but every patient and situation is different, and without your input, we’re unable to provide the right type of advice. Perhaps you want to get back to playing golf or you want to return to a manual labor position at work once your recovery period is over. We can’t help guide you along the right treatment path unless we understand your needs and goals, and you can do that by getting involved in the decision making process. You can determine if certain treatments match your recovery goals or if one treatment simply doesn’t align with your future plans. You’ll want a doctor who wants their patient to be involved in the decision making process.
From a physician’s standpoint, we want a patient to take ownership in their treatment plan. It shows us that they are committed to making the right decision for their health and their goals, and it also suggests that they are more likely to follow treatment advice or a post-op physical therapy program because the patient knew what to expect when choosing their treatment plan. It may seem like a doctor would prefer a patient who just blindly follows orders, but studies have found that patients have better surgical success rates when they are more involved in the shared decision making process, so we welcome the involved patient.
We want a patient that is going to listen to our instructions and value our advice, but at the end of the day, it’s your body, your health and your goals, so you should be involved in the decision making process. We’ll be happy to explain our thought processes and provide recommendations based on our experience and expertise, but ultimately we want you to make the final decision when it comes to how you’ll proceed with care for a spinal issue. Let’s work together to make the best decision for your spine health.
To connect with a physician who will value your input and work to find the right solution for your spinal needs, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi and the team at Midwest Spine & Brain Institute. For more information, give our team a call today at (651) 430-3800.
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