Appointments & consultations

If you're dealing with back or neck pain, you don't need to figure it out on your own.

Whether your symptoms just started or have been going on for months, an evaluation is the right first step — a thoughtful conversation about what's happening, what's likely, and what to do about it. In many cases, the answer is non-surgical care. When surgery is appropriate, the goal is the least invasive approach that genuinely fits your situation.

How to schedule

What to bring to your visit

• Insurance card and a photo ID
• A list of your current medications
• Any prior imaging on a CD or USB drive — without the physical disc, Dr. Sauber may not be able to view your imaging
• Prior radiology reports or operative notes from previous spine care, if you have them
• The name and contact information for your primary care doctor

What to expect at your visit

The visit is focused on understanding your symptoms and giving you a clear next step.

• A focused review of your symptoms and history
• A targeted physical exam
• X-rays in the office when appropriate
• Review of any prior imaging you bring with you
• A clear discussion of both non-surgical and surgical options

The goal is to leave the appointment knowing exactly what to do next.

In-person evaluation

Visits are in-person at one of the office locations below. A hands-on physical examination is a major part of arriving at the correct diagnosis — imaging alone often doesn't tell the whole story, and the exam frequently shifts the diagnosis or the treatment plan.

You may benefit from an evaluation if you have

• Persistent back or neck pain
• Pain radiating into the arm (often cervical radiculopathy)
• Pain radiating into the leg (often sciatica, frequently from a lumbar disc herniation)
• Leg pain or heaviness that comes on with walking and improves with sitting (suggests lumbar spinal stenosis)
• Symptoms that have returned after a previous spine surgery (a possible recurrent disc herniation)
• Numbness, tingling, or weakness in an arm, leg, or hand
• Symptoms that aren't improving with time or with conservative care

Wait time and triage

A new-patient appointment with Dr. Sauber is typically available within two to three weeks. An experienced physician assistant on the team may triage new patients first, coordinate appropriate imaging, or start conservative care so that your time with Dr. Sauber is focused on the decisions only he can make. This usually shortens the path to the right treatment rather than lengthening it.

Insurance and referrals

The practice accepts all major commercial insurance plans and Medicare, with one exception: UPMC insurance is not accepted. A referral is not required to schedule — you can call directly or request a visit online.

Imaging

If you've already had an MRI for these symptoms, please bring it with you on a CD or USB drive. MRI scans help with both diagnosis and the conversation about specific treatment options. That said, an MRI isn't required to be seen — if you don't have one and one is needed, it can be ordered at the visit.

Second opinions

Second opinions about surgical treatment are genuinely welcome. Many of the patients who come to this practice have already been told they need a particular surgery elsewhere and are looking for a thoughtful read on whether an endoscopic or less invasive option fits their situation. There's nothing awkward about that — an honest second opinion is exactly the kind of conversation that should be easy to have.

Office locations

Pediatric care

Dr. Sauber sees pediatric patients with scoliosis and spondylolysis at the AHN Pediatric Orthopaedic Institute in Wexford on the second and fourth Tuesday afternoons of each month.

You don't have to live with ongoing pain or uncertainty. Whether you need reassurance, guidance, or treatment, an evaluation is the right place to start.