Dr. Merrill Reuter
Orthopedic Spine Surgery
Lake Worth, FL
37 years experience male
Locations
Spine Orthopaedics
Lake Worth, FL
Phone
Practice website
About
Bio
Dr. Merrill W. Reuter is a Neuro-Orthopaedic and Spine Surgeon that specializes in minimally invasive spine surgery. Dr. Reuter received his Bachelor's degree in Biophysics from Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1982. In 1986 Dr. Reuter earned his medical degree from Brown University Program in Medicine and his Master's degree in Biomaterials from Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island. Dr. Reuter received his orthopaedic residency training at The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, graduating in 1991. After his residency, Dr. Reuter pursued his first fellowship in Surgery of the Foot and Ankle at Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas and his second fellowship in Spinal and Reconstructive Surgery at the Spinal Associates of North Central Florida, Gainesville, Florida.
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Orthopedic Spine Surgery
Orthopedic Surgery
Licenses
United States: Florida, Georgia, Texas
Languages spoken
English
Doctor Q&A
124 Answers
87 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Merrill Reuteranswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 37 years experience
A number of things: If persists or recurs need to see doctor.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 25-year-old female asked:
Dr. Merrill Reuteranswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 37 years experience
Lots: could be inflammation like temporal arteritis so if persists despite antiflammatories should get checked
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 50-year-old female asked:
Dr. Merrill Reuteranswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 37 years experience
ESI might help: Lumbar radiculopathy is common following disc injury and other kinds of spinal stenosis. These often respond to epidural injections.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 45-year-old female asked:
Dr. Merrill Reuteranswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 37 years experience
Non impact exercise: Swimming walking bicycle with seat back. Focus on spine extension stretching and strengthening, avoid flexion.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old female asked:
Dr. Merrill Reuteranswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 37 years experience
Yes: Chronic progressive cervical trauma can lead to debilitating deficits. Should try to enjoy each other without injury.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Merrill Reuteranswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 37 years experience
Sounds muscular: If worsening rather than improving, need to see medical professional
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A male asked:
Dr. Merrill Reuteranswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 37 years experience
Avoid it: Though it helps diminish synovitis in the operative setting, steroids low soft tissue and bone healing and increase risk of infection.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old female asked:
Dr. Merrill Reuteranswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 37 years experience
Could be: growing pains, could also be something like infection or mass, should get checked if persisting
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 25-year-old female asked:
Dr. Merrill Reuteranswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 37 years experience
Lower down ?: could be from mid or low back area. Consider mri of those areas?
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 30-year-old female asked:
Dr. Merrill Reuteranswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 37 years experience
Yes: Be careful. If you feel weak or dizzy increase calories.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 26-year-old female asked:
Dr. Merrill Reuteranswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 37 years experience
Size of curve: Is important to determining best treatment to minimize symptoms. If your curve is small, then extension exercises can help. Also, painful scoliosis sh... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 48-year-old female asked:
Dr. Merrill Reuteranswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 37 years experience
Need MRI: disc injuries and other types of spine abnormality can cause nerve problems into your leg. it is certainly reasonable to get this checked.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old female asked:
Dr. Merrill Reuteranswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 37 years experience
Depends: If you feel good without residual aches or pains and you do extension spinal stretching, no problem.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 26-year-old female asked:
Dr. Merrill Reuteranswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 37 years experience
? related: Neck pain and headaches are common. So are skin lesions, like pimples, on scalp. Infection can be a common cause. You might have fever, shooting pain ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
1 comment
A female asked:
Dr. Merrill Reuteranswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 37 years experience
Depends: If the symptoms resolve within a few minutes, then they may simply be related to your sleep position. If so, you should see your doctor. If symptoms n... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:
What does it mean if i have joint noises of the spine when turning my body? muscles feel tight also.
Dr. Merrill Reuteranswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 37 years experience
Like knuckles crack: the spine has small joints called facet joints that make noise when they move to an extreme similar to cracking your knuckles. Some say this is good a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old female asked:
Dr. Merrill Reuteranswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 37 years experience
Likely disc injury: Should have it checked, especially if not getting better.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:
Dr. Merrill Reuteranswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 37 years experience
Not normal: Your symptoms could be indicative of nerve entrapment. If they persist you should have them checked.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old female asked:
Dr. Merrill Reuteranswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 37 years experience
MRI : Sounds like it could be disc herniation or neuroforeamenal encroachment.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old female asked:
Dr. Merrill Reuteranswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 37 years experience
Likely nerve related: if no problems in past few years, not likely from fracture. Could be neuroma.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old female asked:
Dr. Merrill Reuteranswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 37 years experience
Yes: The codeine is addictive.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old female asked:
Dr. Merrill Reuteranswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 37 years experience
Rheumatology: Sounds like a rheumatic flare. Can try OTC anti-inflammatories, but if still having symptoms, should see medical professional.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old female asked:
Dr. Merrill Reuteranswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 37 years experience
Checkup: Sounds like you should have an annual checkup to make sure that your RA is satisfactorily managed.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old female asked:
Pain in left shoulder blade after swallowing food and cold beverages. lasts a second then goes away.
Dr. Merrill Reuteranswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 37 years experience
Referred pain: sounds related to esophagus, stomach or diaphragm. may need upper endoscopy.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 16-year-old female asked:
Dr. Merrill Reuteranswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 37 years experience
Worth a check: may need X-ray to check for instability in your neck area.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 30-year-old female asked:
Dr. Merrill Reuteranswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 37 years experience
Improving: You can try to add OTC anti-inflammatories. Sounds like things are getting better.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old female asked:
Dr. Merrill Reuteranswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 37 years experience
Nerve related: if you do not have any sores on your toe and it is most likely nerve irritation this could be from local nerve irritation or possibly a neuroma or eve... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old female asked:
Dr. Merrill Reuteranswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 37 years experience
Referred pain: Esophagus stomach and diaphragm irritation can give referred symptoms to shoulders
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Merrill Reuteranswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 37 years experience
Not sure: If not worsening probably no big deal. But if worsening in any way, should get checked by pcp.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 27-year-old member asked:
Dr. Merrill Reuteranswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 37 years experience
Hypersensitivity : Could be inflammatory. Depends on if other changes like redness or swelling or blanching also occur.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Merrill Reuteranswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 37 years experience
Try more activity: Maybe not getting enough exercise. Also may have female problem that should be checked by gyn regarding no menses.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 39-year-old male asked:
Dr. Merrill Reuteranswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 37 years experience
Neck pain?: May need cervical mri. If headache, need brain MRI as well.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 50-year-old female asked:
Dr. Merrill Reuteranswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 37 years experience
Consider wgt sx: Would you consider gastric procedure to try to loose weight and lessen knee strain. Then could consider knee arthroscopy with platelet rich plasma or ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 25-year-old female asked:
Dr. Merrill Reuteranswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 37 years experience
See your doctor: Could be hemorrhoid or something higher in your colon.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Merrill Reuteranswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 37 years experience
Yes: If weakness or pain progresses, it can often be minimized by surgery.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. Merrill Reuteranswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 37 years experience
Depends: Depending upon where the pain is it could simply be some mild arthritis either where the rib cage joins the spine or the small joints of the spine. It... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old male asked:
Dr. Merrill Reuteranswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 37 years experience
Pain with walking ?: 2 kg seems relatively light. If you get chest symptoms with fast walking or prolonged walking then this would be consistent with cardiac nature. If no... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Merrill Reuteranswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 37 years experience
Rest: If it doesn't get better with rest then it should be looked at by a professional.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 22-year-old female asked:
Dr. Merrill Reuteranswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 37 years experience
Viral illness: If persists rather than lessens, you should see a medical professional.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:
Dr. Merrill Reuteranswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 37 years experience
See Dr: Shooting pains down back from neck may mean nerve entrapment.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old male asked:
Dr. Merrill Reuteranswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 37 years experience
A disc injury: Lower cervical and upper thoracic disc injury can be the cause.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old female asked:
Dr. Merrill Reuteranswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 37 years experience
Better?: If better, likely a sprain if persists could be a number things including your back.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old female asked:
Dr. Merrill Reuteranswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 37 years experience
Bone graft: consider bone graft to the area of non-union with craft harvested and then prepared from your own iliac crest bone marrow
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 24-year-old female asked:
Dr. Merrill Reuteranswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 37 years experience
Yes: You can definitely sustain injury to your back in the way you described. Worth getting it checked.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A male asked:
Dr. Merrill Reuteranswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 37 years experience
Could be ok: depends on the lab
should ask doctor who ordered test
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 54-year-old female asked:
Dr. Merrill Reuteranswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 37 years experience
Yes: Could be radiating or referred pain from diaphragm.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 29-year-old female asked:
Dr. Merrill Reuteranswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 37 years experience
Try water: Try increasing fluids to reduce dehydration. Extension exercises for your back. And see your GYN for abnormal bleeding.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 44-year-old female asked:
Dr. Merrill Reuteranswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 37 years experience
Needs checked: Could be just lymph node, but if tender and mobile, should be checked by medical professional.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 25-year-old female asked:
Dr. Merrill Reuteranswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 37 years experience
Not in small amount: may have some irritation, but should clear in a couple of hours
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2.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. Merrill Reuteranswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 37 years experience
No: Cardiovascular recovery after exercise should occur within minutes not hours.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
2
Recommendations
130
Thank you notes
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Reuter is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Reuter is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
This was very helpful. Thanks! Thank you that's what I thought that LSI or cortisone injections would give me the most relief. I need a physician that will agree to administer. I can't handle oral med...Read More
HealthTap member
Thanks for your quick reply! Well, I've had countless blood tests,x-rays, CT scans, MRI/ MRA's,L.P's-Never a mention of such/reason for fevers(approx.3x's p.wk for 3yrs)
HealthTap member
Thanks for your quick reply! Thankyou I was told take it straight off I'm just very fearful something might go wrong even though its healed
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, RI
Graduated 1986MD
Residency
university of texas MEDICAL BRANCH GAL
Awards
Top Orthopedic Spine Surgeon , Third Place, Florida - Winter
2013
Top Orthopedic Spine Surgeon, First Place, Florida - Spring
2017
HealthTap Founding Doctor
Affiliations
AAOS
ABOS
American College Of Surgeons - FACS
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