What can I expect at a neurosurgery consultation?
What can I expect at a neurosurgery consultation?
During your initial visit, you will be seen by our staff, who will ask about your medical history and your symptoms. One of our physicians will then perform a focused neurological examination. After reviewing your medical history and diagnostic tests, you will be presented with a number of treatment options.
Does seeing a neurosurgeon mean surgery?
While both neurologists and neurosurgeons diagnose and treat conditions that involve the nervous system, neurologists don’t perform surgery. Neurologists are focused on discovering diagnosis-specific neurological conditions that can be corrected — via medications or other therapies — or require close management.
What happens on your first visit to a neurosurgeon?
During your visit, the neurologist will examine your brain and nerve functioning. This may include checking your cognitive ability, speech, vision, strength, coordination, reflexes and physical sensations. We may also order or conduct imaging tests and other screenings during your first visit.
What do they do for neurosurgery?
What does a neurosurgeon do? A neurosurgeon assesses, diagnoses and treats conditions that affect your body’s nervous system, which includes your brain, spinal cord and spinal column, and all of your nerves that extend from your spinal cord.
How do I prepare for a neurosurgeon appointment?
Before Your Appointment About Neck and/or Back Pain
- Come with a list of questions and don’t be afraid to ask them.
- Always bring someone with you, a family member or friend, who can ask questions on your behalf.
- If you want to tape record the conversation let the doctor know upfront.
Why would a neurologist refer you to a neurosurgeon?
Neurologists can also refer patients to neurosurgeons for consultation and treatment of “structural” problems, such as a tumor or an abnormality of the brain or spine. In some cases, though, neurologists may also be qualified to perform minimally invasive procedures to correct these kinds of problems.
What are the most common reasons for neurosurgery?
What are the Most Common Reasons for Neurosurgery?
- Carotid Artery Disease. Carotid artery disease occurs when fatty deposits (plaques) clog the blood vessels that deliver blood to your brain and head (carotid arteries).
- Chronic Pain.
- Head Injury.
- Stroke.
- Pituitary Tumors.
- Brain Tumors.
- Hydrocephalus.
- Trigeminal Neuralgia.
Do neurosurgeons always recommend surgery?
Seeing a neurosurgeon does not always mean a patient needs surgery. In fact, our physicians at Front Range Spine And Neurosurgery use conservative, or non-invasive, treatments first, before even considering minimally-invasive (small incision) or open surgery.
How do I prepare for a neurologist appointment?
Prepare for Your Neurologist Visit
- Write down your symptoms and other health information, including medications, allergies, previous illnesses, and your family’s history of disease.
- Make a list of your questions.
- Have your previous test results sent to the neurologist, or take them with you.
Why would I be referred to a neurologist?
Neurologists are specialists who can assess, diagnose, manage, and treat conditions that affect your nervous system. Your doctor might refer you to a neurologist if you’re having symptoms that could be caused by a neurological condition, such as pain, memory loss, trouble with balance, or tremors.
What questions should you ask a neurosurgeon?
Questions to Ask Your Neurosurgeon
- Why do I need surgery?
- What is your experience in doing this surgery?
- Have you performed surgery on someone with my tumor type before?
- If so, how many patients with my tumor type do you perform surgery on each year?
- How soon do I need to have surgery?
What can a neurosurgeon do for nerve damage?
A neurosurgeon can explain surgical options, such as nerve grafts, nerve transfers or muscle transfers, to help restore function.
Do you have to see a neurologist before a neurosurgeon?
Generally, though, you can expect to see a neurologist who performs tests to diagnose your condition and plan a course of treatment, and that can include a referral to a neurosurgeon if necessary.
What conditions require brain surgery?
Conditions that require brain surgery include brain cancer, stroke and hydrocephalus. If left untreated, any condition requiring brain surgery can cause further damage to the brain. A craniotomy is an operation to open the skull in order to access the brain for surgical repair.
What is the most common neurosurgical procedure?
The five most commonly reported neurosurgical procedures in the NSQIP database from 2006 to 2014 were anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), craniotomy for brain tumor (CBT), discectomy, laminectomy, and posterolateral lumbar fusion (PLF).
Why do you need neurosurgery?
Neurosurgeons treat many painful conditions, such as low back pain, epilepsy, stroke, sciatica, pinched nerves and chronic pain. These conditions may manifest itself in one place but appear in another. For example, carpal tunnel symptoms may be related to spinal disc problems in the neck.
What questions will a neurologist ask me?
Your neurologist will ask all about your health history. You will also have a physical exam to test your coordination, reflexes, sight, strength, mental state, and sensation. The neurologist may order other tests such as: MRI: This test uses magnetic fields and radio waves to take pictures of your inner brain.
How does a neurologist check for nerve damage?
By measuring the electrical activity they are able to determine if there is nerve damage, the extent of the damage and potentially the cause of the damage. Frequently the neurologist will recommend common, noninvasive neurological evaluations such as electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction velocity (NCV) testing.
Do doctors shave your head for brain surgery?
You won’t need to have your head shaved if you are going to have an operation to remove a pituitary tumour through the nose. For tumours in the brainstem or back part of the brain (cerebellum), your surgeon might only need to shave a small area at the back of your head.