Home Page

Our Staff

FAQs

Contact Information

Frequently Asked Questions

Neurological surgery is the medical specialty concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of patients with injury to, or diseases of, the brain, spine or peripheral nerves.
 
We may provide either surgical or non-surgical care, depending on the nature of the injury or illness using the most up-to-date techniques.
 
What Kinds Of Illnesses Do Neurological Surgeons Treat?
Neurosurgeons are more than just brain surgeons. We are trained to help patients with head and spine trauma; disorders, such as aneurysms of the brain, brain tumors as well as acute and  chronic low back and neck pain, spinal tumors; and abnormalities of the peripheral nerves.
 
Disorders of the brain, spine and nerves commonly treated by neurosurgeons include:
· Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
· Cervical Spine Disorders
· Cervical Radiculopathy (could affect arms from shoulder to fingers)
· Chronic Pain
· Degenerative Disk Disease
· Head Injury
· Herniated Disk
· Hydrocephalus
· Intracranial Aneurysm
· Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
· Lumbar Radiculopathy (could affect legs from buttocks to toes)
· Spinal Cord Injury
· Spine Trauma Surgery
· Spondylosis
· Tumors
 
What information does the neurosurgeon need for a diagnosis?
In order to assist the neurosurgeon in diagnosing disorders as efficiently as possible, we need your medical history, a physical examination, and  may have to order testing such as MRIs, Cat Scans, Myelograms, EMGs, X-Rays, Discograms, etc. 

How Are Neurosurgeons Trained?
After four years of medical school and an internship program, the doctor enters a neurosurgical residency program of five to seven years.
 
While in the program, neurosurgical residents are trained in all aspects of neurosurgery, including cerebrovascular, pediatrics, spine, trauma and tumor. The resident program is long and difficult, due to the extreme complexity of the nervous system and the advanced techniques used in neurosurgical operations. Some neurosurgeons opt to do an additional fellowship in a particular area of study following their residency.
 
Following residency training and several years in practice, the neurological surgeon may take the American Board of Neurological Surgery examination — a thorough assessment of the neurosurgeon's skill, judgment and depth of knowledge. The successful completion of this examination will result in board certification.
 
While the neurological surgeon has a comprehensive knowledge after medical school and residency training, there are continual changes in this specialty that require ongoing study throughout the neurological surgeon's professional career. Monthly scientific journals, annual meetings, specialized symposia and other educational opportunities help the neurosurgeon keep pace with rapid changes and developments in neurosurgery.
 
What Is The Role Of The Neurosurgeon?
Neurosurgeons provide the operative and non-operative management (i.e. prevention, diagnosis, evaluation, treatment, critical care and rehabilitation) of neurological disorders. Because neurosurgeons have extensive training in the diagnosis of all neurological diseases, they are often called upon by emergency room doctors, neurologists, internists, family practitioners, and osteopaths for consultations.
 
What's New In Neurosurgery?
Neurosurgeons have been leaders in the incorporation of new technologies into the diagnosis, evaluation, and surgical and non-surgical treatment of patients. Although neurosurgery is by nature a surgical field, many patients suffering from neurological illnesses are undergoing non-surgical or minimally invasive treatments. To that end, the explosion of less invasive surgical equipment and techniques, such as microscopes, lasers and focused radiation, as well as cutting-edge medical tools such as stents, shunts and radiosurgery, are changing the way some neurological disorders are treated. These medical advancements have positioned neurosurgeons on the cutting-edge of technology, enhancing the neurosurgeon’s ability to care for patients and making surgery easier on the patient.