When people think of neurosurgery, they think of surgery on the brain. While this is true, neurosurgery covers a whole lot more than just the brain.
Neurosurgery is a specialty that deals with preventing, diagnosing, and treating disorders, injuries, and conditions of the nervous system, which consists of the brain and spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and cerebrovascular system of the body.
Conditions neurosurgeons deal with include brain, spine, and pituitary tumor removal, treatment of trauma in the brain or spine, congenital and degenerative conditions of the spine, treatment of trauma from strokes, brain aneurysms, and much more.
Neurosurgery Subspecialties
Neurosurgery can be broken down into different subspecialties. Depending on your age and illness, you will need a specialist who has experience treating your specific issue. Some of the subspecialties of neurosurgery include:
Pediatric Neurosurgery
Neurological conditions of pediatric-age patients are usually congenital and highly complex. Some examples of conditions that pediatric neurosurgeons treat are brain tumors, epilepsy, facial malformations, hydrocephalus, craniosynostosis, and tethered cord syndrome.
Neuro-Oncology
The treatment of malignant or cancerous brain, spinal, and skull tumors or tumors that affect other parts of the nervous system are carried out by neuro-oncology specialists. Their focus is on specifically treating cancer in these parts of the body.
Functional Neurosurgery
This neurosurgery specialty focuses on the treatment of movement and neurological disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease, Tourette’s syndrome, and cerebral palsy as well as epilepsy. The goal is to restore or maintain good neurological function.
Neurovascular Surgery
This subspecialty of neurosurgery deals with the treatment of vascular malformations in the nervous system, including the brain, spine, and peripheral nerves. Neurosurgeons with this subspecialty may use traditional or minimally-invasive techniques to address neurovascular issues, such as narrowed blood vessels and aneurysms.
Neurotraumatology
This subspecialty deals with the treatment of brain and spine injuries or neurotrauma as a result of accidents, falls, collisions, or blunt force. Some examples of neurotrauma are concussions, skull fractures, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), craniofacial trauma, spinal cord injuries (SCI), and spinal column fractures. Neurotraumatology surgeons address everything from mild bumps to severe brain trauma and provide long-term rehabilitation for patients.
Spinal Surgery
A neurosurgeon that specializes in spinal surgery is different from an orthopedic spine surgeon. A spinal surgeon is a specialist in operating on your spine regardless of whether the issue is orthopedic-based or not. A neurosurgeon is trained in performing surgeries inside the lining of the spinal canal. Therefore, conditions such as spinal cord tumors, syringomyelia, and Chiari malformation fall into the domain of neurosurgeons.
Top Neurosurgery Practice in Colorado
At Front Range Spine and Neurosurgery, we are experts in all areas of neurosurgery. We provide the latest in surgical and nonsurgical treatments for conditions and injuries affecting the brain, spine, and peripheral nerves. We are a patient-centric practice and strive to provide exceptional comprehensive care to every patient. No matter what your issue is, we can find the best solution to bring you much needed relief.
To schedule a consultation with us, call Front Range Spine and Neurosurgery at (303) 790-1800 or request an appointment now. We look forward to serving you.
