When patients first meet Dr. Neil Cochrane, many are surprised that he doesn’t recommend surgery right away.
“My job isn’t to do surgery but to help any patient who is suffering from back or neck pain get back to living their lives,” he said. “Sometimes surgery is the solution and sometimes it isn’t.”
Taking a conservative approach to relieving pain is how Dr. Cochrane serves his patients.
“This simply means that before I discuss surgery with my patients, we will discuss all aspects of nonsurgical approaches,” he explained. “Surgery is never my first option unless it is an emergency situation.”
When surgery is the only option, Dr. Cochrane will use a minimally invasive technique wherever possible.
“Not every patient is a candidate for minimally invasive surgery because some may have a complex problem that can only be solved through open surgery,” he said. “But there have been many advances in minimally invasive that allow us to do things we weren’t able to even a few years ago.”
To Dr. Cochrane, it’s important to define the patient’s problem and then get them access to the most appropriate care as quickly as possible. Whether his patient needs physical therapy, pain management, or surgery, Dr. Cochrane will work with them to get them the help they need, when and where they need it.
In order to get patients back to living their lives, Dr. Cochrane takes a hands-on approach to his patients’ recovery.
“Whether we’re taking a nonsurgical or surgical approach, I am proactively involved in each patient’s journey to recovery,” said Dr. Cochrane. “Patients who have worked with me know that I have their best interests at heart and will do the best job for them.”
Dr. Cochrane encourages his patients to be inquisitive and involved with their treatment as well.
“We will build a treatment plan together and then I will sit down with them to make sure they understand and are committed to it,” he said. “Commitment and communication are key to getting them back to living their lives as quickly as possible.”