Raleigh Neurosurgery
If you’ve been diagnosed with an injury or condition that affects the nervous system—the intricate network of nerve cells (neurons) that communicates messages to and from the brain and the rest of the body—the decision of what to do next may be overwhelming. For locals and others in and near NC Raleigh neurosurgery offers options. The mere fact that surgery could be up for consideration is enough to bring up negative, frightening associations for some people, and can cause them unnecessary trouble making up their minds. At Raleigh Neuro, we’re here to help you through the process of making this important decision, and it’s our mission to guide and educate you every step of the way.
The first thing to keep in mind is that no matter your diagnosis, you always have options. Some of these options for the wide range of nervous system-related issues include watchful waiting, lifestyle modifications, conservative (non-surgical) treatments and surgery. All types of surgeries come with their own set of risks and benefits, and it’s very important to understand these before deciding how to move forward. In some situations, surgery will be the best option for your condition, and Raleigh Neuro presents you with some examples of when this might be the case:
Five reasons Raleigh neurosurgery is right for you
- It may lead to a faster recovery: For certain types of surgery—such as the procedure performed for a back condition called sciatica—patients may experience a faster relief of pain and other symptoms compared to conservative treatment like exercise and rehabilitation. Therefore, if you’d prefer not to wait a period of time to see if conservative treatment will actually lead to improvements, surgery is likely to be the better choice for you.
- You have a tumor that suggests the need for surgery: If a brain or spinal tumor is found on an imaging test like an MRI or CT scan, it does not necessarily mean that surgery is a must. With certain types of tumors, however, such as those that are affecting quality of life or are very likely to keep growing, surgery is often recommended as the best course of action to prevent further growth.
- It will relieve symptoms of nerve compression: Pain and numbness that goes down one or both arms or legs are symptoms usually caused by compressed nerves in the spine. This is typically due to either problems with intervertebral discs (the rubbery cushions that support the bones of the spine) or overgrowth of bone from conditions like osteoarthritis. If these symptoms and pain from nerve compression are persistent and other treatments don’t lead to improvements, surgery may be necessary to address the compression and alleviate symptoms.
- Restores mobility for those with certain problems: Patients with certain conditions, such as severe spinal stenosis, may be unable to get around enough to perform the conservative treatments recommended. These types of cases call out the need for surgery, which can restore mobility in patients that don’t have it to begin with.
- Treatments are much safer than they were in the past: Surgeries performed by a neurosurgeon today are significantly more precise than they were in the past. New technologies and devices allow them to perform certain surgical procedures in the least invasive way (minimally-invasive procedures), in which tiny incisions are made to access the affected area. Sophisticated 3D imaging technology may also be used to visualize the spine and brain, and together, this all adds another layer of safety and accuracy in neurosurgery.
If you’re dealing with a recent diagnosis and surgery has been presented as an option, it’s best to discuss all options and weigh the risks and benefits of each before making a decision. At Raleigh Neuro in Raleigh, NC, we are experts in the field of neurosurgery and can help you throughout this entire process, informing you if we believe surgery is right for you. Contact us at 919-785-3400 for more information or to schedule an appointment, or click here to request an appointment.