Although a neurosurgeon is known to treat the brain, their specialty extends way beyond it. Neurosurgery can provide treatment for many conditions related to the brain, spine, and nervous system.
What Is A Neurosurgeon?
A neurosurgeon is a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord, spinal column, and the central and peripheral nervous system – including nerves that send various information and messages to and from the brain to all parts of the body. Neurology focuses on injuries, diseases, and disorders affecting the brain, spine, and nerves. A neurosurgeon can provide both non-surgical and surgical treatments, and the type of treatment right for you will depend on the nature and severity of your condition.
What Conditions Can A Neurosurgeon Treat?
Neurosurgeons are experts in all areas of brain, spine, and nerve disorders and conditions. They have extensive training and experience dealing with:
- Complex CNS tumors and cancers
- Aneurysms and vascular malformations
- Brain and spinal cysts
- Arteriovenous and cavernous malformation
- Traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries and rehabilitation
- Stroke
- Chiari malformation (hindbrain malformation)
- Cranial cavity and circulatory disorders
- Concussion injuries
- Deep brain stimulation (for Parkinson’s disease and tremors)
- Neck and back pain
- Spinal Stenosis
- Spinal cord compression
- Spinal fractures, injuries, and deformities
- Herniated discs
- Degenerative disc disease
- Spondylolisthesis
- Nerve conditions and disorders (such as sciatica and radiculopathy)
- Movement disorders
- Epilepsy
A neurosurgeon can help if you suffer with neck or back pain or a condition such as degenerative disc disease. They can create a progressive plan to diagnose and treat the cause of your condition and are highly skilled and knowledgeable in both conservative treatments and technologies and surgical procedures.
Type of Treatment
Depending on the specific medical condition you have and other factors concerning your diagnosis and overall health, a non-surgical or surgical treatment may be recommended. A neurosurgeon can perform many types of neurosurgical procedures, but they always try to use conservative treatments whenever possible, which may include:
- Medication
- Chiropractor
- Acupuncture
- Massage
- Physical therapy
- Exercise
- Lifestyle changes (such as weight loss or quitting smoking)
- Epidural injections
- Stereotactic Radiosurgery
Surgery
If surgery is necessary, a neurosurgeon can perform many types of intracranial surgeries and minimally invasive spinal procedures for conditions such as herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, spinal fractures, spondylolisthesis, and scoliosis. New advances in artificial disc implants also allow alternative treatments for patients suffering from chronic degenerative disc conditions and can reduce the risk of spinal fusion complications, such as limited range of motion.
Advanced minimally invasive surgical techniques are complex medical procedures utilizing very small, specialized surgical tools that can be inserted through incisions often less than a few centimeters wide. Surgeons also use an operating microscope, which provides light and magnification during the surgery and enables real-time x-ray images to be transmitted onto a screen in the operating room to guide the procedure. Benefits of minimally invasive surgery include:
- Shorter hospital stay
- Smaller incisions requiring fewer stiches
- Smaller scars
- Less pain
- Decreased blood loss
- Fewer complications and surgical risks, such as infection
- Quicker recovery and return to daily activities
Neurosurgery in Colorado
At Front Range Spine and Neurosurgery, we focus on advanced microsurgical treatments for a wide range of neurological conditions. Our board-certified neurosurgeons are experts in both surgical and non-surgical treatments for many disorders and conditions. Our specialties include cranial, spine, and nerve related conditions and tumors, minimally invasive surgery, and artificial disc implants.
We are dedicated to providing comprehensive, patient-centered care designed to help you achieve the best possible outcomes. If you would like to make an appointment or find out more about our services, call us today at (303) 790-1800 or you can use our online appointment request form. We have four convenient locations in Lone Tree, Parker, Colorado Springs, and Aurora.
