When a second opinion makes sense

You have been offered surgery: spinal fusion, disc removal, joint replacement, arthroscopy.
The diagnosis is unclear, or different doctors say different things.
Treatment has not helped for several months.
Your MRI report lists many findings and it is unclear which of them cause the pain.
You are planning expensive treatment abroad and want to compare options.

Age-related changes of discs and joints are often visible on MRI in people without any pain. That is why images are assessed together with your symptoms and examination findings, not on their own.

How it works

Send your files

MRI, CT or X-ray images, reports and a short description of your symptoms — via the form on the site.

Check within 24 hours

The coordinator checks that everything is there and asks for missing documents if needed.

Request to several clinics

We send your case to several partner clinics that treat your condition.

Doctors’ opinions

Clinic doctors give a preliminary opinion — usually within 1–3 working days.

Comparison and decision

We translate the answers and help you compare options, conditions and prices. The decision is yours.

Second opinion before surgery

Proposed operation	What to clarify
Spinal fusion	Is there instability on flexion-extension X-rays? What happens without surgery? Which conservative treatments have been tried?
Herniated disc surgery	Does the level of the herniation match the symptoms? Is there weakness or numbness? How long has the radicular pain lasted?
Knee or hip replacement	What stage of osteoarthritis does a standing X-ray show? How limited is walking? What did exercise, weight loss and injections achieve?
Meniscus arthroscopy	Does the knee lock? Is the tear degenerative — in that case exercise is usually tried first.
Rotator cuff repair	How large is the tear, is there muscle atrophy, did rehabilitation help?

In a review of studies, a second opinion before spine surgery often changed the recommendation — most often towards conservative treatment. This does not mean that surgery is never needed: in some cases the second opinion confirms it. More on the diagnoses: herniated disc, spinal stenosis, knee osteoarthritis, knee replacement.

What you receive

The clinic doctor’s opinion on the diagnosis based on your images and reports.
Whether further tests are needed — for example functional X-rays or an MRI in Munich.
Treatment options the clinic considers reasonable — including surgery if it is really needed.
Approximate timelines and prices from each clinic.

A preliminary opinion does not replace an in-person examination: the doctor makes the final decision after a consultation at the clinic.

What to prepare for a free review

Images: MRI, ultrasound or X-ray (DICOM files or photos of the screen) and their reports.
When and how the pain started, where exactly it hurts, what makes it worse or better.
Treatment so far: injections, physiotherapy, surgery — and how it helped.
Other conditions and medications, especially blood thinners.

With this information, a partner-clinic physician can say whether further tests are needed and which treatment options suit you.

What it costs

Sending your images and receiving a preliminary opinion through RegenPAS is free of charge. If a clinic offers an in-person consultation, further tests or treatment, it states the price in advance — and prices differ between clinics. Guide prices are on the treatment costs page.

Prices are approximate. Each clinic sets its own conditions and price: we send your request to several clinics and forward their offers so you can compare.

Scientific evidence

Studies on second opinions before surgery and on how often MRI changes are found in people without pain:

Gattas S et al. Second opinion in spine surgery: A scoping review. Surg Neurol Int, 2021.
Lindena G et al. Second opinion on spine surgery: indication rarely confirmed and conservative treatment options are worthwhile. Schmerz, 2023.
Brinjikji W et al. Systematic literature review of imaging features of spinal degeneration in asymptomatic populations. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol, 2015.

Frequently asked questions about the second opinion

How much does a second opinion cost?

Forwarding your images and the preliminary opinion through RegenPAS are free. In-person consultations, tests and treatment are charged by the clinic according to its own price list, which you receive in advance.

How long does it take?

The coordinator replies within 24 hours. The clinic doctor’s preliminary opinion usually arrives within 1–3 working days.

Can I send photos of the images instead of DICOM files?

For a first review, photos of the screen are fine, but small details may not be visible. DICOM files from the disc are better — we will explain how to export them.

Do the reports need to be translated?

No. Send the documents in your language — we arrange the translation for the clinic doctors.

Will the doctor make a diagnosis remotely?

No, it is a preliminary opinion based on documents. The final diagnosis and treatment plan are made after an examination.

What if the clinics answer differently?

That happens. We explain how the offers differ and help you ask follow-up questions. The decision remains yours.

How can RegenPAS help?

RegenPAS is a patient service centre in Munich, not a clinic. We review your images and symptoms and send a request to several partner clinics at once. Clinics that can accept you send their own conditions and price; prices differ between clinics, and you choose the option that suits you. The coordinator replies within 24 hours, and a clinic physician’s preliminary opinion follows in 1–3 business days. We then arrange the appointment, visa invitation, interpreter, transfers and accommodation. Treatment decisions are made by the clinic physician. Contact a coordinator.

Send your images — we reply within 24 hours

Send your MRI or ultrasound and describe where and when it hurts. The coordinator replies within 24 hours; a clinic physician gives an opinion in 1–3 business days.

Send images

+49 160 573 6643