When most people hear the word “neurosurgery” they automatically think of brain surgery. However, neurosurgery encompasses far more than the brain.Neurosurgery is the medical specialty concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of the entire nervous system, composed of the brain, spinal cord and spinal column. It also includes the nerves that travel through all parts of the body (hands, legs, arms, face). Neurosurgeons provide the operative and non-operative management of most neurological disorders.
Many people, especially the elderly are quite concerned over the possibility of surgical procedures to their neck or spine. In many cases people with neck or back problems endure pain and severe discomfort for long periods of time before seeking help. Today many of the procedures neurosurgeons perform are minimally invasive and use advanced technologies and techniques that make the outcomes more assured.
This is not to say that all surgeries are completely successful and will remove all types of pain and discomfort. However, in many cases the results of these neck and back surgeries will show marked improvement for the patient’s quality of life.
Risks of general anesthesia
How do I minimize risk during neurosurgical procedures?
What does minimally invasive surgery mean to me?
We have included some additional general neck and back injury topics from the National Institutes for Health (NIH):