Neurosurgery

Our goals are to provide quality neurosurgical care locally when feasible and to facilitate transfer for specialized care when needed. We use a multidisciplinary approach in treating spinal issues with an emphasis on conservative treatment modalities prior to surgical consideration.

Our Services

Most spinal issues will resolve without the need for surgery. When surgery is required the goal of surgery is to perform the proper operation to relieve your symptoms with a goal of preserving as much normal spinal anatomy as possible. Our experienced team will guide you through the surgical process from preoperative evaluation, hospital care and postoperative care with a goal of returning to normal activity.

Common Brain issues

A brain tumor starts when cells in the brain change and grow out of control. As they continue to grow, they form a mass of cells that becomes a tumor Symptoms of a brain tumor depend on how big the tumor is and where it is in the brain. Symptoms may also be affected by increased pressure in the brain from the mass or from swelling. They may include:

  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Weakness or numbness in the arms, legs, or face
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Changes in speech, vision, hearing, memory, or personality
  • Seizures
  • Feeling tired all the time (fatigue)
  • Problems with balance or walking

Treatment choices depend on a person’s age, overall health, and the tumor type, grade, location, and other factors.

Head trauma can also be referred to as a traumatic brain injury, or TBI. The effects from some types of head trauma may not appear right away. So, it’s important to get immediate medical attention for any head injury.

  • Minor head trauma may need little treatment beyond pain control and observation. The healthcare provider may suggest using cold packs to reduce swelling and pain.
  • Sometimes, severe head injuries cause bleeding on the brain that needs to be treated right away with surgery. In certain cases, the injured person will be watched closely and taken for surgery only if injuries become worse. After surgery, special care helps prevent further brain damage.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a fluid that circulates through the brain and spinal cord. Chambers inside the brain make the fluid. Normally, the fluid drains out of the brain through the chambers and into the spinal column. The body then absorbs the fluid. If CSF backs up into the brain, the problem is called hydrocephalus.

The most common causes of treatable hydrocephalus are:

  • A blockage in the head prevents CSF from draining
  • The body has problems absorbing CSF
  • The body makes too much CSF

Your healthcare provider may prescribe medicine to slow down the flow of CSF temporarily, until the blockage is gone. If this works, you may not need other treatment.

Common Spinal issues

We provide a complete evaluation of spine issues utilizing a multidisciplinary team approach.

While the majority of back pain resolves naturally within three months, there are instances where back surgery can provide relief for specific types of back pain. Back surgery is rarely necessary and should be considered only when other treatment options have been exhausted and the pain becomes debilitating.

A handful of different approaches can be taken for back surgery, depending on your level of pain and the severity of symptoms.

Rarely, neck pain can be a symptom of a more serious problem. Seek immediate care if severe neck pain results from an injury, such as a motor vehicle accident, diving accident, or fall.

Contact a health care provider if neck pain:

  • Is severe
  • Persists for several days without relief
  • Spreads down arms or legs
  • Comes with headache, numbness, weakness or tingling

Spinal stenosis happens when the space inside the backbone is too small. This can put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves that travel through the spine. Spinal stenosis occurs most often in the lower back and the neck. The most common cause of spinal stenosis is wear-and-tear changes in the spine related to arthritis. People who have severe cases of spinal stenosis may need surgery. Surgery can create more space inside the spine. This can ease the symptoms caused by pressure on the spinal cord or nerves

A ruptured disk, which can occur in any part of the spine, most often occurs in the lower back. Depending on where the ruptured disk is, it can result in pain, numbness or weakness in an arm or a leg.

A ruptured disc is most often the result of a gradual, aging-related wear and tear called disk degeneration. As people age, the disks become less flexible and more prone to tearing or rupturing with even a minor strain or twist.

Many people have no symptoms from a ruptured disk. For people who do have symptoms, the symptoms tend to improve over time. Surgery is usually not needed to relieve the problem.

Latest News

Cayuga Medical Center Pediatric Unit

Published On: June 26, 2024

what our neurology patients are saying

“I’ve got more hope now.”

Aleisha Wilson, Cortland • NY
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