MRI Review And Second Opinion
Been Told You Need Spine Surgery? Get a Second Opinion First.
Rishi N. Sheth, MD will personally review your MRI and give you an honest expert assessment of your diagnosis and all available treatment options. Free of charge. No obligation. No pressure.
- Fellowship Trained
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Board Certified
- American Board of Neurological Surgery, 96th Percentile Mazor Robotic Surgery Certified 19 Peer-Reviewed Publications AANS and CNS Member
If Any of These Sound Like You, a Second Opinion From Rishi N. Sheth, MD Could Change Everything.
This page exists because of a simple reality. In spine care, second opinions change outcomes. They reveal diagnoses that were missed. They uncover non-surgical options that were never offered. They confirm that surgery is genuinely necessary, or they reveal that it is not. For patients facing a major spine decision, a second opinion from a more specialized surgeon is not a sign of distrust toward the first doctor. It is sound, responsible medical decision-making.
You may be in the right place if any of the following applies to your situation.
You have been told you need spine surgery and you want to be sure before you commit.
This is the most common reason patients request a second opinion at Spine Care New Jersey. Whether it is a fusion, a discectomy, a decompression, or a more complex procedure, surgery carries real risks and real recovery. You have every right to hear from another fellowship-trained specialist before making that decision.
You have had spine surgery that did not give you the relief you expected.
Prior spine surgery that has not produced the expected outcome is one of the most frustrating experiences in medicine. A careful review of your imaging and operative history by a fellowship-trained spine neurosurgeon may identify the reason the prior surgery did not help and what, if anything, can be done.
You have been living with back pain, neck pain, or radiating arm or leg pain that has not been properly explained.
Many patients with spine conditions go months or years with a diagnosis that does not fully account for their symptoms, or with no diagnosis at all. An expert review of your MRI by a spine specialist with neurosurgical oncology training may identify what previous evaluations missed.
You have been diagnosed with a complex spine condition including a spine tumor, severe deformity, or multi-level disease.
For complex conditions, the qualifications of the surgeon matter enormously. A second opinion from a neurosurgeon fellowship-trained in spine surgery and neurosurgical oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center carries a different weight than a general review.
Your current spine specialist recommended treatment and you simply want confirmation that it is the right plan.
Getting a second opinion does not mean you think your doctor is wrong. It means you are thorough. Most spine surgeons respect and encourage second opinions for major decisions. Your current doctor should feel the same.
Not All Second Opinions Are Equal. The Credentials Behind This One Are.
A second opinion is only as valuable as the expertise behind it. Hearing the same recommendation from a second surgeon with the same training and the same perspective rarely changes anything. A genuinely useful second opinion comes from someone who has trained at a higher level, who has seen more complex cases, and who has the independence to tell you something different from what you have already heard if the evidence supports it.
Rishi N. Sheth, MD trained in neurosurgery residency at the University of Miami under Roberto Heros, MD, one of the most respected neurosurgeons in the world. He completed a spine surgery fellowship under Allan Levi, MD at the University of Miami, followed by a fellowship in neurosurgical oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center under Philip Gutin, MD, the chief of neurosurgery at one of the world's foremost surgical institutions. He is board-certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery, having scored in the 96th percentile on his written board examination. He holds certifications in Mazor robotic spine surgery, ProDisc-C cervical disc replacement, ProDisc-L lumbar disc replacement, and DLIF lateral interbody fusion.
He is not going to tell you what you want to hear. He is going to tell you what your imaging shows, what it means for your specific situation, and what the honest range of options is, starting with the most conservative approach that is genuinely appropriate for your condition. If surgery is not necessary, he will tell you. If it is, he will explain precisely why, what it involves, and what you can realistically expect.
That is what a second opinion from Spine Care New Jersey provides.
Three Simple Steps to Your Free MRI Review.
The process is straightforward and designed to remove every possible barrier between you and expert spine care.
- 1. Submit Your Information and MRI
Complete the short form on this page. You will be asked for your name, contact information, a brief description of your symptoms and prior treatment, and the option to upload your MRI imaging files or note where they can be obtained. The form takes less than two minutes to complete. You do not need a referral. You do not need to cancel with your current doctor. You simply need to submit.
- 2. Dr. Sheth Reviews Your MRI Personally
Rishi N. Sheth, MD reviews every MRI submission personally. Not a staff member. Not a physician assistant. Not an automated system. Dr. Sheth looks at your imaging with the clinical context you have provided and develops an initial assessment of your diagnosis, the degree and significance of any structural findings, and whether your current treatment recommendation appears appropriate based on what the imaging shows.
- 3. You Receive a Response and Are Offered a Consultation
You will receive a response from the Spine Care New Jersey team within one business day. You will be invited to schedule a consultation with Rishi N. Sheth, MD to discuss the findings in detail, ask every question you have, and determine together what the most appropriate next step is for your specific situation. The free MRI review has no cost and no obligation. There is no pressure to proceed with anything beyond the initial review.
Request Your MRI Review
Your Second Opinion May Cost You Less Than You Think.
One of the most common reasons patients hesitate before seeking a second opinion from an out-of-network specialist is concern about cost. It is a legitimate concern and one that deserves a direct, honest answer.
Spine Care New Jersey is an out-of-network practice. This means that rather than accepting in-network insurance fee schedules, patients use their out-of-network PPO benefits to cover their care. Most PPO insurance plans include out-of-network benefits specifically for consultations with specialists, and in many cases a meaningful portion of the consultation fee is covered after the patient meets their out-of-network deductible.
There are a few things worth knowing.
The free MRI review is genuinely free. Reviewing your imaging before you decide to schedule a consultation carries no cost and creates no obligation. You receive an expert assessment of your imaging at no charge.
If you choose to proceed to a full consultation, our team verifies your specific out-of-network benefits before your appointment. You will know exactly what your plan covers and what your estimated out-of-pocket responsibility is before you come in. There are no surprises.
Most health insurance plans cover second opinions, especially before major procedures like surgery. Medicare Part B specifically helps pay for second opinions before surgery, and even covers a third opinion if the first two doctors disagree. Solace If you have Medicare or a PPO plan, there is a strong likelihood that a meaningful portion of your consultation with Rishi N. Sheth, MD is covered.
For patients with HMO plans or those who are uninsured, we encourage you to contact the office directly. We will discuss your specific situation honestly and help you understand your options before you make any decisions.
What Patients Say About Their Second Opinion Experience at Spine Care New Jersey.
“Dr. Sheth took the time to truly understand my condition when three other surgeons had given up on me. His expertise and compassion gave me my life back. I am completely pain-free after my minimally invasive procedure — something I never thought possible after years of suffering.”
“I was terrified of spine surgery. Dr. Sheth explained every step with patience and clarity, and the minimally invasive procedure far exceeded my expectations. I was back to work in under two weeks. I only wish I had found him sooner.”
Knowing Dr. Sheth trained at Memorial Sloan Kettering gave me immediate confidence. His surgical skill and the personal attention I received are unlike anything I have experienced in medicine. He operated on me — not a resident, not an assistant. Him.”
Common Questions About the Free MRI Review and Second Opinion at Spine Care New Jersey.
Yes, the MRI review is completely free and carries no obligation. Rishi N. Sheth, MD personally reviews your submitted imaging and the clinical information you provide, and develops a preliminary assessment of your diagnosis and whether your current treatment recommendation appears appropriate based on what the imaging shows. You will then be invited to schedule a full in-person consultation to discuss the findings in detail. The MRI review is not a diagnosis by itself — it is an expert assessment that tells you whether a full consultation with Dr. Sheth is likely to add value to your situation.
Most PPO insurance plans include out-of-network benefits that cover a meaningful portion of specialist consultations including second opinions, particularly before surgery. Our team verifies your specific out-of-network benefits before your first appointment so you know
exactly what your plan covers and what your estimated out-of-pocket cost is before you make any decisions. Medicare Part B specifically covers second opinions before surgery. Patients with HMO plans or no insurance are encouraged to contact our office directly to discuss their options before scheduling.
No. Seeking a second opinion before major spine surgery is standard, responsible medical practice and virtually all physicians expect and respect it. Rishi N. Sheth, MD himself encourages every patient who has received a surgical recommendation elsewhere to seek the most thorough evaluation they can before committing to any procedure. A surgeon who is confident in their recommendation will not be threatened by a second opinion. And if a second opinion reveals a different path that produces a better outcome for you, that is exactly what it should do.
You can upload your imaging files directly through the secure form on this page, or provide the contact information for your imaging center and our team will coordinate the transfer on your behalf. Most imaging centers can provide a digital copy of your MRI on a disc or through a secure online transfer at your request. If you have already had imaging performed, you have the legal right to a copy of your images and your written report. Once received, Rishi N. Sheth, MD will review your imaging and you will receive a response from our team within one business day.
Then you proceed with your original plan with significantly greater confidence. One of the most valuable outcomes of a second opinion is confirmation. Knowing that two independently trained fellowship-trained spine neurosurgeons reviewed your imaging and reached the same conclusion removes doubt and allows you to move forward with clarity. If Dr.
Sheth’s assessment differs from your original recommendation, you will have the specific clinical reasoning behind both perspectives and can make your treatment decision with a far more complete picture of your options than you had before.
Ready to Get a Clear Answer About Your Spine?
Submit your MRI for a free review by Rishi N. Sheth, MD. No cost. No obligation. A response within one business day. It takes less than two minutes to get started.