Greenberg Spine
(260) 484-8551Request Appointment

Areas we serve

Back Surgeon in Fort Wayne, Indiana

A back surgeon evaluates back and leg symptoms to determine whether non-surgical care, injections, a targeted decompression, or surgery is appropriate. Dr. Marc Greenberg sees Fort Wayne patients with back pain, sciatica, stenosis, disc problems, and second-opinion questions.

When to See a Back Surgeon

Back pain has many causes, and surgery is not the default response to pain or an abnormal scan. A clinical evaluation can help distinguish a self-limited or nonsurgical problem from nerve compression, instability, fracture, infection, deformity, or another condition that needs a different pathway.

Pain that persists or worsens

Back or leg pain that does not improve after several weeks of conservative care like physical therapy, rest, or medication.

Pain with numbness or weakness

Pain that travels down an arm or leg along with numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness may signal nerve involvement.

Not improving with conservative care

Pain that has not meaningfully improved after weeks of guided conservative treatment may need further evaluation.

Pain limiting work or sleep

When back pain starts interfering with daily activities, work, or your ability to rest at night, it is worth having a back doctor evaluate what is going on.

Seek urgent or emergency care if you experience:

  • Progressive weakness in the legs or feet
  • Loss of bladder or bowel control
  • Numbness in the saddle area (inner thighs, groin, buttocks)

These symptoms may indicate a serious condition requiring immediate medical attention.

Back Conditions Dr. Greenberg Treats

Dr. Greenberg evaluates lumbar symptoms and structural spine conditions, including the topics below.

Herniated Disc

When the soft inner material of a spinal disc pushes through its outer layer, often causing arm or leg pain, numbness, or weakness.

Sciatica

Pain that travels along the sciatic nerve from the lower back through the hip and down the leg, often caused by a herniated disc or bone spur.

Spinal Stenosis

Narrowing of the spinal canal that puts pressure on the spinal cord or nerves, commonly causing pain, numbness, or weakness with walking.

Degenerative Disc Disease

Age-related wear and tear on spinal discs that can cause chronic back pain, stiffness, and reduced flexibility.

Spondylolisthesis

A condition where one vertebra slips forward over the one below it, which can cause back pain, leg pain, and nerve compression.

Matching the Approach to the Problem

When surgery is considered, a focused or endoscopic corridor may be an option if it can safely accomplish the required decompression or reconstruction. The approach name alone does not determine scar size, pain, discharge setting, activity progression, or outcome.

Decompression without fusion may preserve motion when the segment is stable and the required bone removal does not create instability. Fusion may be discussed when stabilization or reconstruction is part of the surgical objective.

Minimally Invasive Surgery

Learn what a minimally invasive approach means, where it may fit, and what it does not guarantee.

All Procedures

Review procedure education and the factors that shape candidacy.

Get a Back Pain Evaluation or Second Opinion in Fort Wayne

Whether symptoms are new or a procedure has already been proposed, an evaluation can clarify the diagnosis, whether imaging findings fit, and which nonsurgical or surgical options are reasonable.

Ready to Get Your Back Evaluated?

Use the appointment request page to ask about an evaluation or second opinion in Fort Wayne.

When to seek urgent care

Call 911 or go to the emergency department right away if you have any of the following:

  • Loss of bowel or bladder control, or new difficulty urinating
  • Numbness in the groin, buttocks, or inner thighs (saddle anesthesia)
  • Rapidly worsening weakness in one or both legs

These can be signs of a problem that needs emergency treatment.

Request a consultGet a second opinion

This is general educational information, not medical advice. A clinical evaluation is the only way to know what’s right for you.

Answers

Frequently asked questions

What kind of doctor should I see for back pain?

Start with your primary care doctor for an initial evaluation. If back or leg pain persists despite conservative treatment like physical therapy and medication, a back surgeon (orthopedic spine surgeon) can determine whether a structural problem in your spine is causing your symptoms. Not everyone who sees a back surgeon needs surgery.

Will I need back surgery?

Many causes of back pain do not require surgery. The appropriate next step depends on the diagnosis, neurologic findings, symptom trajectory, function, imaging when indicated, and response to safe nonsurgical care. Progressive deficit or another urgent feature can change the sequence.

When should I see a back surgeon instead of a chiropractor?

Chiropractic care and physical therapy are reasonable first steps for many mechanical back problems. A surgical evaluation makes more sense when pain travels down your leg, when numbness or weakness develops, when symptoms persist after several weeks of good conservative care, or when another clinician has raised a structural diagnosis. Seeing a surgeon does not commit you to surgery — most patients I evaluate leave with a non-surgical plan.

Do I need a referral to see a back surgeon in Fort Wayne?

Usually not. Many insurance plans allow you to schedule directly, though some HMO plans require a primary-care referral. Our office can help you check your plan before your visit. Whether you come by referral or on your own, bring any prior imaging and a list of treatments you have already tried.

What happens at a first appointment with a back surgeon?

We review your history, examine your back and legs, and go over any imaging you already have. The goal of a first visit is a clear diagnosis and a plan — not an operation. If conservative care has not been fully tried, we start there. If surgery is worth discussing, I will explain the options, the tradeoffs, and what I would recommend and why.

Can back pain get better without surgery?

Often, yes. Many back problems improve with time, activity modification, physical therapy, and medication. Surgery enters the discussion when a specific structural problem matches your symptoms and conservative care has not given you durable relief — or when weakness or other urgent findings change the timeline.

Talk with a fellowship-trained spine surgeon

Most spine problems improve without surgery. When an operation is warranted, the goal is to match the least-disruptive effective option to the diagnosis and anatomy.

Request an appointment Call (260) 484-8551