Orthopedic Spine Surgeon Delray Beach

Spine Surgeon Delray Beach

Experiencing back pain? Contact us to make an Appointment with Dr. Matthew Hepler, your best choice for an orthopedic spine surgeon in Palm Beach County, FL.

We are open:

Monday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Contact Information:

T: 561-345-1780

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Orthopedic Spine Surgeon Delray Beach – Further Information

Service areas:

As an orthopedic spine specialist in Delray Beach, Dr. Hepler is also able to service nearby communities, including:

• Boynton Beach
• Deerfield Beach
• Boca Raton
• Lake Worth
• Pompano Beach
• Other cities in Palm Beach County

There are many types of back injuries, so it’s important to have a medical provider, with experience in this field, evaluate the symptoms before. Depending upon your specific condition, a surgical or non-surgical treatment plan will be prescribed.

In addition to treating patients at the Delray Beach office, Dr. Hepler also has an office in Broward County. Read about his role as an orthopedic spine surgeon in Fort Lauderdale.

About Dr. Hepler – Orthopedic Spine Specialist

Dr. Hepler is a leading orthopedic spine surgeon in Delray Beach and Fort Lauderdale with fellowship training in both adult and pediatric spine surgery. He has a subspecialty interest in complex spine reconstruction. That includes scoliosis, kyphosis, and spondylolisthesis. Dr. Hepler treats all spine conditions including disc herniations, radiculopathy, discogenic disc disease, lumbar and cervical stenosis, and traumatic and osteoporotic fractures. He is also an expert in back surgery and spinal stenosis treatment in Palm Beach County. 

As a former US Naval Flight Surgeon, Dr. Hepler completed two tours. One to the Mediterranean and the Middle East aboard the aircraft carrier USS Roosevelt and the other with the F-18 strike fighter training squadron. Read more about Dr. Hepler.

What is an Orthopedic Spine Surgeon?

The American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons defines an orthopedic surgeon as:

a physician devoted to the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and rehabilitation of injuries, disorders and diseases of the body’s musculoskeletal system.

An orthopedic spine surgeon is very similar, except that they specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and rehabilitation of injuries, disorders and disease of the body’s spine.

What is the difference between an Orthopedic Spine Surgeon and  Chiropractor?

The main difference between an orthopedic spine surgeon and a chiropractor is that the latter does not prescribe medications, nor perform surgery. That being said, there are also several similarities: Both of them specialize in providing treatment to the back and both of them want to return the patient to their full health.

What is the difference between an Orthopedic Spine Surgeon and a General Orthopedic Surgeon?

The main difference between these two terms is that an orthopedic spine surgeon specializes in just treating the spine. We know through experience that if we specialize in something, we become better at it. The same can be true of orthopedic surgeons. There have been studies showing that surgeons who specialize in a certain area of the body achieve better surgical outcomes. So, if you are sure your injury is related to your spine, then it makes sense to schedule an appointment with an orthopedic spine surgeon.

What types of conditions does Dr. Hepler treat?

As a spine surgeon in Boynton Beach, Dr. Hepler treats a broad variety of conditions affecting the back.

Numerous spine conditions can be treated using minimally invasive spine surgery, including:

• Herniated discs
• Stenosis
• Sciatica
• Spinal stenosis
• Scoliosis or spinal deformities
• Spondylolisthesis
• Spinal fractures
• Spinal infections

Minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) has been used successfully to treat a range of degenerative, traumatic and deformity related conditions. It has several advantages over traditional open surgical approaches. However, not every patient is a candidate for a minimally invasive approach for spine surgery. To determine if this might be the best option, you will need a detailed evaluation from our spine expert Dr. Hepler. View a full list of conditions he treats.

Are all conditions treated with surgery?

The treatment option selected will depend on several factors, such as the type of condition, the severity of the condition, and the state of the patient. Treatment options are both surgical and non-surgical. We also offer spinal injections as one of the non-surgical treatment options:

• trigger point injections
• facet injections
• epidural steroid injections

The exact treatment plan chosen will depend upon your specific injury, or condition. A full examination is conducted with all new patients, to ensure that the medical history, symptoms, and all other relevant factors are considered prior to prescribing a treatment plan. View a full list of back surgery treatment options in Delray Beach, as well as non-surgical treatment options.

 

Spinal Surgery: When do you need back surgery?

First of all, even though spinal surgery might be a viable option for you, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the only way to relieve your back pain. Therefore, our spine doctor believes that back surgery should be an alternative when other non-surgical options failed. In other words, if other treatments, such as spinal injections and physical therapy, haven’t worked and your pain is still disabling and persistent, only then you should consider surgery. Furthermore, spinal surgery often helps relieve associated numbness that travels to one, or both legs and arms.

Here are some reasons why you might need back surgery:

• Overgrowth of a bone that can result in spinal bone spurs, which put pressure on your spinal cord.
• Disk herniations, also called slipped, or “ruptured” disks, that are not getting better. And symptoms have not been relieved following non-surgical treatment.
• An unstable spine that requires stabilization, as it can no longer hold together the spinal ligaments, muscles, discs, and bones. This condition can be associated with spinal fractures, spondylolisthesis, or other dangerous disc injuries.
• A degenerative spinal condition, including stenosis, that causes side effects such as weakness, or numbness in your arms and legs.
• Spinal infections that can cause pain in the arms or legs, fever, weight loss, muscle spasms, and problems with walking, or using your hands.
• A tumor on your spinal cord.
• Spinal fracture, or dislocated bones in the back.

Keep in mind that a thorough evaluation is not only required, but it is CRUCIAL to diagnosing and determining an appropriate form of treatment. Chances are that back surgery will not be necessary in your case. Our spinal surgeon will only recommend back surgery if you are suffering from a serious spinal cord injury and you have already tried other treatments with no results.

Is Spine Surgery Safe?

Spine surgeries have been completed safely with safe results for decades. Alike other surgeries, there are unquestionable risks linked to spine surgery, including infection, reaction to anesthesia, or other drugs, stroke, heart attack, and nerve damage.

Performed under the expert oversight of Dr. Hepler, back surgeries are performed very successfully and these hazards can be handled and diminished. Whenever conceivable, the doctor explores outcomes with alternative treatments that have fewer risks, but when the advantages of spine surgery outrun the risks, the outcomes can be life-changing.

Who can benefit the most from spine surgery?

The best candidates for spine surgery are those who have tried a non-surgical approach unsuccessfully and those who have pain radiating into their arms, or legs. Radiating pain is more apt to present with anatomical problems of the spinal cord and spine and is more likely to be effectively treated with spine surgery.

Medical imaging tests, such as an MRI, can help to precisely assess your particular spinal condition. A consultation with our Spine Surgeon in Delray Beach can help you recognise whether, or not spine surgery is the best option for you.

How Much Does Back Surgery Cost?

The cost of back surgery depends on your insurance coverage and the procedure. Some procedures demand more intensive hospital stays than others, which will influence the cost of the surgery. Others require specific equipment and materials, such as rods and screws, or bone grafting material.

Be sure to discuss with your insurance provider, your doctor’s office and the billing provider to thoroughly understand the costs included in the procedure.

What types of insurance does Dr. Hepler accept?

The extent of the cover of costs of treatment by our spine surgeon depends on your specific insurance plan. Participating insurance plans include Medicare, Aetna, BCBS among others. View a full list of accepted insurances.

 

Does Dr. Hepler accept Workers’ Compensation cases?

Yes. As an excellent spine surgeon in Delray Beach, Dr. Hepler has a lot of experience in the treatment of work related back injuries. He is listed on all major workers’ compensation insurance covers. Read more about our Workers’ Compensation program, or contact the office at 561-345-1780.

Orthopedic Spine Surgeon Delray Beach – Our Mission and Values

Dr. Hepler’s practice philosophy is to treat patients with the same interest and concern that he would treat his family and friends with. No matter what your spine problem is, you can be sure that it will be diagnosed and treated with utmost care and professionalism. Dr. Hepler’s skilled hands and experience (17 years of practice as a spine surgeon in Delray Beach) are at your service! 

Dr. Hepler and his team’s mission involves three main areas:

1. Patients’ education
2. Academic work
3. Continuous care

Our core values make us the perfect place to treat your spine problems, as you know you will be taken care of  in the best way possible. These values are:

• Trust
• Compassion
• Care 
• Innovation
• Excellence
• Professionalism
• Respect
• Integrity

Visit our Patient Testimonials page for great reviews from our amazing patients!

Orthopedic Spine Surgeon Delray Beach – Additional Questions?

If you have any additional questions about Dr. Hepler, or his role as a great orthopedic surgeon, please contact the office at 561-345-1780.

The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.