While Neurosurgeons are usually known for performing brain surgeries, they do a lot more than that that. These professionals devote more than seventy percent of their time on treating neck pain, back pain, herniated disks spine problems, leg pain and degenerative disc diseases. Neurosurgeons usually work on your body’s entire nervous system, starting from your brain, running through the spine and finally branching out to different areas in the body.
Usually, the pain people feel travels through their nervous system. In certain cases, the conditions neurosurgeons treat manifest in one area but show up in an entirely different area. For instance, the symptoms of carpal tunnel could be related to the spinal disc in a patient’s neck.
When is it Important to See a Neurosurgeon
As mentioned earlier, the conditions neurosurgeons treat and diagnose usually go beyond issues in the brain. While these professionals are capable of performing a wide range of surgical procedures, they also offer and suggest non-surgical methods in some situations.
Neurosurgeons usually spend a decent chunk of their time diagnosing and working on effective and minimally invasive treatment plans. More often than not, they only opt for the surgery route when there isn’t any viable treatment available.
Generally, neurosurgeons prefer a conservative treatment approach. It is also worth keeping in mind that your condition doesn’t need to be a threat to your life to warrant appointments with neurosurgeons. The symptoms and signs mentioned below often indicate that one shouldn’t waste any time seeing a neurosurgeon.
Neuropathic Pain
This pain usually occurs because of nerve damage caused by an injury or disease. On such condition happens to be diabetes. Patients could experience shooting, sharp or burning pain. You may also experience neuropathic pain if your spinal cord or brain is damaged. Generally, this pain starts after one experiences a stroke.
Unlike many other forms of pain, regular meds cannot help treat neuropathic pain. Instead, your best bet would be to see a neurologist, who will examine your condition and suggest the most suitable treatment option.
Regularly Recurring Migraines
If a patient experiences severe and recurrent headaches, they should consider seeing a neurosurgeon right away. In some cases, these headaches may not just be regular headaches, but they may be migraines. Migraines usually last for hours or even days. People may experience sensitivity to light, noise, strong odors, nausea and throbbing pain.
In most cases, people who experience migraines do not get the proper treatment or diagnosis. This is why, if you have headaches a little too often, make sure you go to a neurosurgeon, who will be able to determine the cause of the migraine and suggest ways to address it. Stress and food are among the main triggers that cause migraine and the doctor may recommend medications to stop or prevent it.
Spinal Cord or Brain Injury
Sports injuries, auto crashes and falls can cause severe damage to the spinal cord or brain. Patients tend to exhibit a wide range of symptoms, usually depending on the impacted area and the damage. Injuries in the brain can result in issues like amnesia, coma, loss of consciousness, dizziness, seizures and whatnot. In certain cases, it can also alter an individual’s behavior, memory and ability to think.
Injuries in the spinal cord can often result in weakness and numbness. Patients could even lose some or a great deal of mobility in their legs because of the damage. If you experience such an issue, waste no time in booking an appointment with a neurosurgeon. These pros can develop a well-thought out treatment plan according to your condition.
The common treatments doctors choose for brain or spinal cord injuries include mental health therapy, physical therapy, medications and surgery.
Weak Grip
Sometimes, the hand loses its ability to cling to objects due to loss of sensation or pain. This usually happens whenever there is swelling on the wrist due to illness or injury. Swollen wrists can cause constrictions in the median nerve, which results in loss of sensation, tingling or pain. This condition is referred to as carpal tunnel syndrome and it tends to develop gradually.
If you notice your grip is getting weak, it would be best to get a neurosurgeon to check your hand. If they do believe you have carpal tunnel syndrome, they will suggest the best treatment and remedies to treat it.
Other Warning Signs That Indicate You need to see a Neurosurgeon
Impaired Movement
Shuffling, uncontrollable movements and clumsiness are different warning signs that indicate there could be something wrong in your central nervous system. They could also be a side effect of head trauma or medication. Neurologists are best qualified for determining whether a patient’s condition is serious and the most suitable way to treat it.
Seizures
In most cases, people think of seizures as loss of consciousness or violent convulsions. However, they are usually subtle and milder. People can even have seizures while sitting still. If you recently experienced a seizure, consider seeing a neurosurgeon for a diagnosis without wasting any time.
Do Neurosurgeons Always use Invasive Procedures to Treat Patients
Neurosurgeons provide advanced treatments in the neurology field. This includes the latest rehab techniques, pain injections (also known as epidural blocks), active exercises (passive and active), physical therapy, massage, acupuncture, medications and more.
These surgeons also work with a variety of other specialists for providing the most effective and precise treatments for conditions that require the expertise of specialists from other medical fields. Every treatment plan requires a different approach, which means that if you experience the symptoms and warning signs mentioned earlier, a surgery may not be necessary.
Get a Professional to Check Your Condition
If you are a resident in Los Angeles or its vicinity and suffering from any of the symptoms discussed in this piece, we at DrRogers can help. Our experienced surgeon promises the best outcomes with world-class care.
Contact us today to speak to one of our team and Request an appointment to visit our clinic.