1. Is your surgical practice limited to spine?
The physicians as First State Spine focus solely on the management and surgical treatment of the adult spine.

2. How many years have you been in practice?
The physicians at First State Spine have over 100 years combined experience.

3. Have you done a spine Fellowship?
All physicians at First State Spine have completed a fellowship in their specific area of expertise.

4. Do you do more than 200 spinal operations each year?
Experience comes with doing many cases. Together, Dr. Rudin and his team have performed over 8,000 spine surgeries.

5. Is my surgery being done at an accredited hospital?
First State Spine surgeons perform complex spine surgeries at Christiana Care Hospital, which is recognized for excellence on a regional and national level. It has attained the Gold Seal of Approval by the Joint Commission for Quality Care.

6. Will you be in the operating room the ENTIRE time that I am under anesthesia?
It is not uncommon for attending surgeons in teaching hospitals to be present for only part of the operation. You need to make sure that your spine doctor is there the whole time. The spine is very fragile and you should not be left in the care of anyone but a member of your surgical team.

7. Do you have medical students, interns, residents or fellows scrubbed into the surgery with you?
The team at First State Spine are the only clinicians involved in your care. Our experienced team of Surgeons and Physician Assistants will be involved in every aspect of your surgical care.

8. Are all of the anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists board certified? Are there medical students, interns, residents, fellows or nurse practitioners involved in any part of the anesthesia?
All of the anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists involved in your care are board certified and experienced in the care of spinal patients.

9. After surgery, do I see you every time or someone else: Who takes out my sutures or staples?Is that person a board certified spinal surgeon?
Many surgeons do the surgery and then leave the follow up to other people. We take responsibility for your care. Only the Surgeons or PA’s at First State Spine will be the ones to see you on all of your post-operative visits. If sutures or staples need to be removed, one of us will personally do it.

10. Do you have surgical experience treating my specific spinal pathology?
The team at First State Spine has extensive experience in all aspects spinal surgery, from your neck to your low back. We offer a range of surgical options from microsurgery to lumbar fusions tailored to your individual needs and pathology.