What Is a Neurosurgeon?

If you or a loved one will be seeing a neurosurgeon, you should know more about this medical specialty. Neurosurgeons are doctors who diagnose and treat problems with the nervous system, including the brain and spine.

They perform neurosurgery, meaning they cut into the body to make repairs, remove tissue or take other actions to control diseases or improve nervous system functioning. Since the nervous system affects every part of the body, they have a wide-ranging role in patient health.

What does a neurosurgeon treat? What does a neurosurgeon do specifically? What are the different types of neurosurgery? This article answers those and other questions.

What Conditions Do Neurosurgeons Treat?

The nervous system is a complex communication system made up of thread-like structures that connect organs, muscles, skin and other tissues to the brain. Those connections enable the brain to sense and control our bodies.

Many types of problems can affect the nervous system and the structures that support it, requiring the expertise of a neurosurgeon. So, while you may hear people refer to this type of physician as a “brain surgeon,” their work affects much more than the brain.

Types of Neurosurgery Procedures

Operations to treat nervous system conditions can be essential to improving health, but what is neurosurgery exactly? Neurosurgeons use several types of neurological surgery and other procedures to help patients, including:

• Open surgery (where a large incision is made to access the affected area)
• Minimally invasive surgery (procedures using smaller incisions or no incisions)
• Microsurgery (surgery using a microscope to help repair or rebuild tiny structures like nerves or blood vessels)
• Endoscopic surgery (a minimally invasive procedure using a flexible tube with a light inserted into a natural opening or small incision)
• Endovascular surgery (a minimally invasive procedure for treating conditions affecting the circulatory system)
• Radiosurgery (a procedure that isn’t surgery in the traditional sense but uses radiation to treat a condition like cancer)
• Chronic pain intervention (minimally invasive procedures like injections or nerve blocks targeting the source of chronic pain)

Remember that while neurologists and neurosurgeons focus on the same conditions, they are different types of doctors. People sometimes ask, “Does a neurologist do surgery?” The answer to that question is no, they do not.

Common Reasons for Referral to a Neurosurgeon

If you’ve ever wondered, “Why was I told to see a neurosurgeon?” or “Why would I be referred to a neurosurgeon after an MRI?” it might be that an exam or imaging test has identified one of several conditions affecting the nervous system, such as:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Spinal deformities, such as scoliosis and spondylolisthesis
• Pinched nerve
• Chronic back or neck pain
• Brain or spinal cord trauma
• Herniated disk
• Scoliosis, spondylolisthesis or other spinal deformity
• Cerebrospinal fluid leak
• Spinal fracture
• Congenital conditions of the brain or spine (meaning something present when you were born)
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Parkinson’s disease
• Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
• Brain tumor

What To Expect at Your First Neurosurgeon Appointment

What will a neurosurgeon do on your first visit? They’ll want to see the results of any exams or tests performed by other doctors. They’ll also want to know if you’ve had any recent health changes, what medications you take and whether you have any allergies. After an initial conversation and exam, they might have you undergo tests specific to the condition they will treat.

Neurological tests and imaging

Neurologists use several tests and imaging procedures to understand your condition and develop a treatment strategy. For example, if you’re experiencing seizures, they might order a magnetoencephalography (MEG) scan, a noninvasive imaging procedure that measures the brain’s magnetic fields to find the source of those events.

A neurologist might also use information from a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, positron emission tomography (PET) scan, computed tomography (CT) scan or angiogram to help with your diagnosis and treatment. They also commonly order nerve conduction velocity and electromyography tests.

How To Choose the Right Neurosurgeon

Picking the right neurosurgeon is essential. When researching your options, you should feel comfortable asking about the provider’s background. For example, knowing about their education and experience in the type of procedure you need is helpful.

So, if you’re having back trouble, you might ask, “What does a neurosurgeon do for back pain, and how do you approach this treatment?” Ultimately, you want to choose a neurosurgeon with the proper training and experience to help you achieve a positive outcome.

Why Choose Baptist Health for Neurosurgery?

Understanding neurosurgery highlights the importance of this treatment. If you need neurosurgical expertise, you may consult Baptist Health Group Neurology for specialized support. Our team applies modern medical techniques (including robot-assisted procedures) and strives to deliver thorough, patient-focused care.

Our online provider directory is an excellent resource if you need to find a neurosurgeon or any provider.

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