Neurosurgery or Orthopaedics: Which Clinic Should I Visit for Neck and Back Pain? (Uijeongbu, Korea)

Both specialties treat the same pain from different angles. Neurosurgery focuses on compressed nerves; orthopaedics on bones, joints and tendons.

In short: Both specialties treat the same pain from different angles. Neurosurgery focuses on compressed nerves; orthopaedics on bones, joints and tendons.

The short answer

If your pain spreads down an arm or leg with tingling or numbness, a neurosurgery clinic focused on nerves is a natural first stop. If the pain is in a joint with swelling or stiffness, orthopaedics is a natural fit. In practice, a non-surgical spine and joint clinic like Yonsei Leaders treats both, so you do not need to decide in advance.

How orthopaedics looks at pain

Orthopaedics looks for the cause in the structure of bones, joints and muscles: wear of cartilage, ligament tears and tendon damage. Typical conditions are arthritis, frozen shoulder, rotator cuff tears and fractures, with symptoms such as joint pain, swelling and limited movement.

How neurosurgery looks at pain

Neurosurgery looks for nerves that are squeezed or damaged. Typical conditions are neck and lumbar disc herniation, spinal stenosis and sciatica, with pain that travels along a nerve together with tingling or altered sensation.

What this means for you

Dr. Ji Seung-hun is a neurosurgeon who also treats joints, tendons and muscles with ultrasound-guided injections, shockwave and manual therapy. Book one appointment and let the examination decide.

Book: call 031-874-7500. Yonsei Leaders Neurosurgery Clinic, 3F Yugyeong Bldg II, 181 Hoeryong-ro, Uijeongbu, Korea, 1 minute from Balgok Station Exit 2. Open Mon–Fri 09:00–20:00, Sat 09:00–14:00. See directions and international patient help.

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