A written spine second opinion before you decide
You have a diagnosis and a treatment recommendation from your own doctor, often an operation, and you want an independent view first. Send me your records: I review your reports, the images if you have them, and the recommendation personally and write you a clear opinion, for you and your doctor.
- €149, paid upfront
- Report within 5 business days of complete records
- English, Deutsch or العربية
- Based on your records, no examination
The service in brief
- For patients who already have a spine diagnosis and a treatment recommendation from a doctor who examined them (for patients aged 12 to 17, a parent or legal guardian fills in the questionnaire).
- I answer one question: does the recommended treatment fit your findings, and which alternatives exist, with their benefits and risks?
- The opinion is based only on your documents. I do not examine you, so it does not replace examination or treatment by your treating physician.
- You receive a written report, signed by me, within 5 business days after your records are complete.
- €149 flat, paid upfront. If I cannot give a responsible opinion on your records, you get the full amount back.
Is this service right for you?
A second opinion on records works well for planned decisions. It is not the right path when something is acute or when you have not yet been examined.
It fits when
- a doctor has examined you in person and given you a diagnosis
- you were advised to have spine surgery, an injection or another treatment and are unsure
- you have a written report of your MRI, CT or X-ray
- you want an independent opinion in English, German or Arabic without travelling
It does not fit when
- you have new or quickly worsening symptoms (see the warning signs below)
- you have not seen a doctor about your symptoms yet, or have no diagnosis
- you need an examination, a prescription, a sick note or treatment
- the patient is under 12 (for patients aged 12 to 17, a parent or legal guardian fills in the questionnaire)
- you live in or are currently in the USA or Canada
- you need an expert report for a court, an insurer or an employer
Warning signs: go to an emergency department now
Do not wait for a second opinion if you notice any of these:
- numbness in the saddle area (between the legs, around the buttocks or genitals)
- new difficulty passing urine, or loss of bladder or bowel control
- weakness or numbness in your legs or arms that is getting worse
- fever together with severe back pain
Go to the nearest emergency department or call your local emergency number (112 in Europe). Why these signs are urgent
How it works
Everything happens online and in writing. You can take your time with each step.
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Safety check and questionnaire
Questions about your symptoms, your diagnosis and the treatment you were offered. If your answers point to an emergency, the form stops and tells you where to go.
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Upload your records securely
Your doctor's letter and imaging reports, plus the images if you have them (large MRI files are fine). Uploads are encrypted and stored on servers in the EU (Frankfurt). Nothing is sent by email.
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Pay €149
By card or one of the other methods shown at checkout. Your case is submitted only once the payment is complete.
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Receive your written opinion
I review your case personally and send you a secure link to your report within 5 business days of complete records. If something important is missing, I ask you first.
What you receive
A report in three parts: one page you can understand without medical training, and the clinical detail your doctor needs.
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Part 1
Your second opinion at a glance
Your question, my short answer in plain language, three key points, how certain an opinion on records can be, and the warning signs to watch for.
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Part 2
The medical detail
The records I reviewed, your history, my assessment of your imaging findings level by level, and an assessment of the recommended treatment against German specialist standards, with the alternatives and their benefits and risks.
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Part 3
What now
Numbered conclusions, questions to discuss with your treating doctor, and any missing information that would make the assessment more certain.
The report is addressed to you and written so that you can share it with your treating doctor. Every treatment decision stays with you and the doctor who examines you. If you want to prepare for that conversation, these questions to ask before spine surgery help.
Which records to prepare
The more complete your records, the more useful the opinion. Documents in English, German or Arabic can be reviewed directly.
- Your doctor's letter or report neededwith the diagnosis and the treatment that was recommended to you
- The written report of your latest MRI or CT neededfrom the radiologist who reported the scan
- The images themselves, if availablefor example DICOM files from a CD or the radiology practice's download link; if you upload them, I look at them myself. What an MRI report contains
- Other findings, if you have themearlier operation reports, nerve tests (EMG/NCS), X-rays, and a list of the treatments you have already tried
Who reviews your case
Omer Boshara, Facharzt für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie (board-certified orthopaedic and trauma surgeon, Germany), consultant orthopaedic spine surgeon, certified spine surgeon (DWG Basic Certificate)
I review every case personally, and I write and sign every report myself. This second-opinion service is offered by me personally, not by the hospital where I work.
- Specialist title (Facharzt) granted by the Ärztekammer Nordrhein, Germany
- Basic Certificate (Basiszertifikat) of the German Spine Society (Deutsche Wirbelsäulengesellschaft, DWG)
- Member of the German Spine Society (DWG)
- Medical degree from the University of Medical Sciences and Technology (UMST), Khartoum
What this service is, and what it is not
This written second opinion is based exclusively on the documents and information you provide, without a physical examination. It is prepared according to German specialist (Facharzt) standards.
It does not replace examination, diagnosis or treatment by your treating physician. It includes no prescriptions, sick notes or certificates, and it does not start ongoing treatment by me. All treatment decisions should be made together with your treating physician, so please share the report with them.
Questions patients ask
Is a second opinion a diagnosis or a treatment?
No. It is my written assessment of the diagnosis and the treatment recommendation you already have, based on your documents. Because I do not examine you, it does not replace examination or treatment by your treating physician. Please discuss the report with them before you decide.
Will we speak by phone or video?
No. The service is written only, which keeps it focused and affordable. If I need more information, I ask you by email before I write the report.
How long does it take?
You receive your report within 5 business days after your records are complete. If documents are missing, the time starts once they have arrived.
Do I need the images, or is the MRI report enough?
The written report of your MRI or CT is enough. If you also have the images, for example on a CD, you can upload them too, and I will look at them myself.
In which languages can I get the report?
In English, German or Arabic. You choose the language when you start.
How is my data protected?
Your answers and documents are stored encrypted on servers in the EU (Frankfurt, Germany), and only I can open them. Documents are never sent by email: you upload them through the secure form and receive your report through a secure link that expires.
Can I claim the cost from my health insurance?
You receive an invoice. Whether your insurance reimburses it depends on your insurer and your policy, so please ask them before you start.
What happens if my records are not enough?
If I cannot give a responsible opinion on the documents you sent, for example because essential findings are missing or your situation needs an examination first, I tell you why and refund the full €149.
Who cannot use this service?
Patients under 12, patients who are in the USA or Canada, and anyone with emergency warning signs. For patients aged 12 to 17, a parent or legal guardian fills in the questionnaire. It is also not an expert report for courts, insurers or employers.
Can I request a second opinion for my child?
Yes, if your child is between 12 and 17 years old. As a parent or legal guardian you fill in the questionnaire for your child, confirm that you may decide on your child’s medical matters, and pay. All emails and the written second opinion go to your email address. As for adults, the second opinion is based only on the records and does not replace examination or treatment by your child’s treating physician.
Ready when your records are
Gather your doctor's letter and your imaging report, and the images if you have them. The secure form will guide you through the rest.
Start your requestQuestions before you start? Write to boshara@spineboshara.com (please do not send medical documents by email).