Backbone: The Life and Game-Changing Career of a Spinal Neurosurgeon

by Volker K H Sonntag

On a beautiful spring morning in 1989, neurosurgeon and spine expert Volker Sonntag was just finishing rounds at Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona. At that same moment sixteen miles away, a hard-charging boy named TJ veered his bike into the path of a speeding pickup truck. The impact all but killed the boy, leaving him with a shattered leg, severe internal injuries, a massive blood clot near the brain stem, and—but for the fragile spinal cord—a complete separation of the skull from the spine. This is the riveting story of how Dr. Sonntag's pioneering innovation that day launched him into the forefront of the emerging field of spinal neurosurgery. Surgeon to a Who’s Who of royalty, celebrities and politicians, his clear-eyed accounts of failures and successes, hostile turf wars, media accusations of quackery, political challenges, and cutting-edge technical advances reveal to the reader just what it takes to be a game-changer in one of the world's most harrowing professions. Revered by patients, residents, and fellows for his highly personal approach to teaching and mentorship, and for his example of life balance, in this book Dr. Sonntag also shares stories of his youth as a German immigrant in Cold War America that lend insight into how, with humility, sacrifice, honesty, compassion, industry—and humor—an individual can overcome adversity and achieve the American Dream.

Genres: Science

262 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 7, 2017

Reviews

[India M. Clamp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Das Rückgrat kann auch als Metapher für die Stärke und Stärke der Neurochirurgen dienen, die in den Kämpfen der späten 1980 er und 1990 er Jahre um die professionelle und gesellschaftliche Akzeptanz (ganz zu schweigen von Krankenhausprivilegien) für die Durchführung komplexerer Wirbelsäulenchirurgie und -instrumentierung demonstriert wurden. Es war eine kleine Gruppe von Führungskräften der Neurochirurgen (mit Dr. Sonntag als prominentem Teilnehmer), die die Notwendigkeit erkannten, das Wissen und die technischen Fähigkeiten der Wirbelsäule in der Ausbildung zum Neurochirurgen und in der Ausbildung von Stipendiaten sowie unter praktizierenden Neurochirurgen zu erweitern.

Wearing a halo is not only torturous, but also dangerous (mid-level vertebrae in the neck, “3, 4, 5 keeps you alive.”) Breathing is labored and often leads to pneumonia. Prolonged bed rest shoots up morbidity/mortality rate from other complications such as infections, blood clots, and pulmonary embolisms… In hospital acquired maladies hover like a specter over many patients, especially…
---Volker K. H. Sonntag, MD

Seine Vignetten über Orthopäden, die seine Fortschritte bei der Wirbelsäulentechnik in seinem eigenen Krankenhaus belästigen und dagegen protestieren, werden Neurochirurgen in den USA in der Praxis in dieser Zeit sehr vertraut sein. Diese Leiter der Neurochirurgie traten für alle Neurochirurgen ein, und Dr. Sonntag. Jahrestreffen, Treffen der Wirbelsäulenabteilung, staatlichen und regionalen Treffen, Kursen zur Wirbelsäule von Leichen, Veröffentlichungen, Lehrbüchern usw.

Backbone, Dr. Sonntags eigenen Geschichten darüber Eine aufregende Ära sollte für den jüngeren Neurochirurgen im Training von besonderem. So viel chirurgie und historisches geshicten drinnen. Kaufen, gelesen und tanzen.

[TL *Humaning the Best She Can* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took longer than I wanted to read this but I'm trying to be easier on myself these days since the stress level has been through the roof plus bone pain.
---

A fascinating look at the career and life of this man. Certain things I had no clue about it and it was very surprising to hear of. The turf wars in particular had me wanting to GibbsSmack some people.

I admire his tenacity (right word?) . He never gave up and helped so many people by the things he managed to accomplish. (If I ever need surgery one day, I hope I get someone as good as him).

Someone I would love to sit down with over dinner and pick his brain 🧠 .

[JANELLE SINGLETON · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spinal ails

Am an old and retired RN. My52 yr old daughter is recovering from C4-7 surgery. Spinal cord more than 50% impinged by upside down C4-c5 vertabre. No accident. Excellent health , no injuries or surgery. I found your book very interesting and informative. Love the way you detail steps in surgery. You greatly enhanced medicine. Thank You !

[Lottie Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping book! I really loved the mix of medical information which was often in great detail but still understandable and the personal side of being a Doctor, having a family and going in to the history of his own life. Brilliant book.

[Sue Summerill]

Good book!

This book is written well,but a little too graphic for me.Thank God for these wonderful doctors,where www would we be today without them.

[John Stubbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good medical book

The story of a German immigrant physician and his struggles to become a neuro surgeon. Well done but a glimpse into the hardship of this field.

[Adam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like a surgery text, Sonntag (and his ghostauthor) breaks down what he understands to be the key steps and moves in making his life and contribution to his profession embracing new disciplines.