The spine is a long, tubular series of vertebrae (bones) and protective discs – and every disc sits between each set of two adjacent vertebrae. These bones and discs are stacked on top of each other from the bottom of the skull all the way down to the lower back. The spine surrounds the spinal
Read MoreSpinal Surgery
Artificial Disc Replacement vs. Spinal Fusion
Patients who endure chronic neck and back pain have a decision to make. Assuming that the doctor has diagnosed and contributed their pain to a degenerated disc in the back or neck, and assuming the patient decided they can no longer live with the pain, they will then have to make another decision. Which treatment
Read MoreTypes of Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery
When a spinal condition or disorder impacts a nerve, it can disrupt motor and sensory signals and result in painful symptoms that radiate along the affected nerve pathway, and even cause disability. Nonsurgical, conservative or traditional methods are usually the first approach to many medical conditions affecting the spine. If such methods fail to provide relief,
Read MorePreparing for Neurosurgery
The field of neurosurgery focuses on surgery of the brain and spinal cord. If a neurosurgeon deems that surgery is necessary, there are many steps patients can take to prepare for the surgery to help pave the way toward a successful outcome. There are several steps you can take to prepare for your neurosurgical procedure:
Read MoreThe Neurosurgery Dictionary for Patients
The central nervous system is a complex structure consisting of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves that act as the control center for the human body. Movement, speech, breathing, eating, learning, feeling, and thinking all depend on an efficient central nervous system. Neurosurgery is the branch of surgery that involves the nervous system. It encompasses
Read MoreLumbar Fusion for Back Pain
A lumbar spine fusion is a type of back surgery designed to treat lower back pain and leg pain as a result of degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, stenosis, or other spinal injuries. The fusion of vertebrae in the spine is performed to strengthen and stabilize the fused segment of the spine, thus decreasing or eliminating the
Read MoreI’ve Been Diagnosed with a Hemangioblastoma: What Now?
You’re sitting in a doctor’s office and have just been informed about a growth of cells that may be the cause of your constant headaches and lack of balance. You’ve feared the worst, but the diagnosis is not a common one: hemangioblastoma. While it is not a household name the way some types of cancer
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