Refer a patient for a spine evaluation.

Jonathan G. Hobbs, M.D. welcomes referrals from primary care and specialty clinicians for patients whose neck or back condition warrants neurosurgical evaluation. His approach begins with a careful diagnosis and considers nonsurgical care whenever appropriate.

Call (219) 250-5010 Referral checklist

A referral, start to finishWhat happens after you send it

You referCall, or use the form below. Records go through a secure channel.
Evaluation scheduledThe office coordinates timing with your patient.
Careful, conservative-first reviewDiagnosis first. Surgery only if it earns its place.
Findings back to youDiagnosis, recommendations, and next steps for your patient.

(219) 250-5010 · Lakeshore Bone & Joint Institute

Conservative first. Nonsurgical options are considered before any operation is recommended.

Secure records exchange. Patient information moves by phone or secure channel, never through the web form.

You stay in the loop. Findings and recommendations return to the referring clinician.

Start a Referral Online

Request a referral callback.

Share your contact information and a general reason for referral. The office can then contact you to coordinate scheduling and collect patient records through the appropriate secure channel.

Please do not include patient identifiers

Do not enter a patient’s name, date of birth, medical-record number, diagnosis details, or other protected health information. Patient information should be exchanged by phone or through your organization’s usual secure clinical channels.

Prefer to call? (219) 250-5010.

I am referring as * Your name * Practice or organization (if applicable) Best callback number * Email (optional) General referral reason * Urgency * Best time to call (optional) Additional note (no patient identifiers)

I confirm that I have not included patient identifiers or protected health information in this form. *

This request is for referral coordination and is not monitored as an emergency service.

Who to Refer

When a spine consultation may be the right next step.

Consider referral when symptoms persist despite initial care, neurological findings are present, imaging raises concern, or a complex diagnosis would benefit from specialist review.

Routine

Persistent radiculopathy

Arm or leg pain, numbness, or weakness following a nerve distribution that has not improved with initial conservative care.

Time-sensitive

Signs of myelopathy

Changes in gait, balance, dexterity, strength, or coordination that may indicate spinal cord compression.

Routine

Spinal deformity

Adult scoliosis, sagittal imbalance, progressive posture change, or symptomatic spinal alignment concerns.

Routine

Failed prior spine surgery

Persistent or recurrent symptoms after a previous operation that warrant a fresh evaluation or revision opinion.

Time-sensitive

Suspected tumor, fracture, or complex pathology

A spinal lesion, fracture, traumatic injury, or complex imaging finding requiring specialty-trained neurosurgical assessment.

What to Send

Help the first visit count.

When available, sending the following before the appointment helps Dr. Hobbs arrive familiar with the case.

Relevant imaging: MRI, CT, and/or standing X-rays with radiology reports.
Recent clinical notes: history, examination findings, and progression of symptoms.
Treatment history: physical therapy, medication, injections, and response.
Prior operative reports: especially for revision or failed-fusion cases.

What to Expect

A thoughtful, conservative-first evaluation.

Each referral is evaluated on its own merits. Surgery is recommended only when the diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment history support it.

Jonathan G. Hobbs, M.D.

Board-Certified Neurosurgeon · University of Chicago–trained

Start a referral

Call Lakeshore Bone & Joint Institute to coordinate an appointment with Dr. Hobbs. Please exchange patient information only through your usual secure clinical channels.

(219) 250-5010

Monday–Friday · 8:00 AM–4:30 PM