A neurosurgeon is a physician most qualified to perform nonsurgical and surgical treatments on the central and peripheral nervous system, which includes the brain, spine, and nerves. Oftentimes, back pain is caused by problems with the spine and nerves, and a neurosurgeon’s training makes them the best specialist for the job.
There was a time when only neurosurgeons could operate on the spine, but now, orthopedic surgeons can subspecialize in spine care. However, neurosurgeons remain the best specialists for patients with spine conditions. Due to their extensive training and experience, they can treat even the rarest and complex spine disorders.
Conditions Treated By A Neurosurgeon
A neurosurgeon can treat all manners of spine disorders, which usually have back pain as a symptom. Disorders affecting the spine include arthritis, degenerative disc disease, herniated disc, spinal stenosis, spondylosis, osteoporosis, and vertebral fractures. Spine disorders may develop due to accidents, injuries, inflammation, infection, and degenerative wear and tear.
Spine disorders usually produce symptoms such as neck and back pain, pain that radiates to the extremities, weakness, numbness, tingling, and bladder and bowel dysfunction. If you have these symptoms, a neurosurgeon can diagnose the problem and provide effective treatment options.
Neurosurgeons do not always recommend surgery, but if it’s necessary, they are highly experienced in cutting-edge surgical techniques used to optimize your recovery and results.
Spine Surgeries
When you think of back pain, you may think the right specialist would be an orthopedist. However, when back pain is caused by a degenerated disc, an injury, and/or accompanied by neurological symptoms, or if your back pain persists after surgery, a neurosurgeon’s training in treatments for nerve problems means you will receive specialized care and the latest treatments.
Neurosurgeons can treat back pain due to spine conditions using state-of-the-art treatments that include but are not limited to:
- Lumbar decompression or laminectomy – decompression surgery for back pain due to lumbar spinal stenosis. During surgery, the neurosurgeon creates more space for the nerve root, improving symptoms.
- Lumbar fusion – surgery to reduce motion at a painful vertebral segment with the use of a bone graft. May be used to treat fractures, scoliosis, and spinal deformities.
- Lumbar disc replacement – an alternative to spinal fusion surgery that can treat lower back pain that originates from one or two discs in the spine.
- Microdiscectomy – minimally invasive surgery that involves the removal of a portion of the disc to relieve pressure on the spinal column.
- Kyphoplasty – surgical procedure used to correct vertebral collapse or spinal fracture.
- Vertebroplasty – surgery to treat spinal compression fractures; involves the injection of cement into the fractured vertebra.
It can be difficult to determine the right specialist for your back pain without first seeing your primary care doctor. Your primary care doctor will likely make a referral to a neurologist if your back pain symptoms are severe and chronic or if your back pain is accompanied by neurological symptoms such as sensory dysfunction.
Neurosurgeon in Aurora, CO
Our neurosurgeons at Front Range Spine and Neurosurgery provide expert treatment for patients with back pain. We have a variety of non-surgical treatment methods that we typically like to exhaust before recommending surgery. Should you need surgery, trust that we are highly experienced in the most complex procedures and minimally invasive techniques. Our practice is a recognized leader in minimally invasive spine surgery.
Our goal is to relieve your symptoms and assist you with returning to an active, pain-free life. To make an appointment with one of our neurosurgeons, call Front Range Spine and Neurosurgery at (303) 790-1800, or use our online request form. We look forward to serving you.
