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Types of Neurological Tests

Neurological tests can be the difference between success and failure in many cases. Through a variety of neurological testing, we’re able to determine what’s occurring within your brain and have you back to health as soon as possible. Without some of these test, we’d be unable to do our job as neurosurgeons. We’re very grateful for the advancement in medical treatment, yet especially within our field of neurosurgery and neurological evaluation.

• CT Scan: This test provides a great look into what is exactly going on within your brain. CT scans are medically known as computed tomography scans or CAT scans in some instances. These scans produce images of the body where we’re able to see how a certain condition is affecting you from the inside out. In general, CT scans are much more detailed than traditional x-ray examinations.
• EEG: An electroencephalogram is an advanced test where the brain’s continuous electrical activity is monitored with electrodes attached to the scalp. This test helps us determine if there are issues with the brain itself and the way it sends signals.
• MRI: A magnetic resonance imaging test literally utilizes large magnets combined with radio frequencies and computerized technology to provide extremely detailed imagery of the brain and other major organs of the body. 
• EMG (Electromyography) & NCV (Nerve Conduction Velocity): These tests are commonly known as electrodiagnostic tests. These tests help us determine how your muscles and motor neurons are responding to certain stimuli in the form of electrical activity. From there, your muscle response is recorded and evaluated. 
• PET: Positron Emission Tomography is a procedure which measures the metabolic activity of the cells within your body.
• Angiogram: Sometimes referred to as an arteriogram, is an x-ray of your arteries and veins which detects blockages and/or narrowing of the vessels. This test can help us pinpoint root causes of conditions when evaluated properly.
• Spinal Tap:Sometimes referred to as a lumbar puncture, is a procedure where a specialized needle is placed into the spine amongst the lower back area. From there, the pressure within the spinal canal is measured. A small amount of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) can be gathered and sent off to a lab for further testing to determine if there is an underlying infection. CSF is the fluid which coats the brain and spinal cord. 
• “Evoked Potentials” Test: A test which provides feedback on the brain’s electrical response to certain visual, auditory, and sensory stimulation and cues.
• Myelogram: This procedure utilizes dye injected within the spinal canal to allow for further visibility and insight into what’s affected when reviewing a spinal x-ray.
• Neurosonography: A neurosonography utilizes high-frequency sound waves to allow us to analyze blood flow patterns where the patient may have had a stroke. 
• Ultrasound (also called sonography). A diagnostic imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves and a computer to create images of blood vessels, tissues, and organs. Ultrasounds are used to view internal organs as they function, and to assess blood flow through various vessels.
• Ultrasound: Ultrasound technology allows us to create imagery of vital components of your body such as blood vessels, tissues, and organs. It also provides us real-time evaluation as the organ itself is functioning. This is truly valuable information in many cases.

Choosing Neurosurgery & Spine Consultants for Your Neurological Testing

If you’ve been seeking an excellent neurosurgery center to have your neurological testing performed at, you’ve found the right palace. Here at neurosurgery & Spine Consultants, we have the facilities, staff, doctors, technology, and expertise to have you back on track to health as soon as possible. Feel free to contact us using the form on this page and we’ll be sure to reach out to you to schedule an appointment. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

DISCLAIMER: No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

How to Choose the Right Neurosurgeon

Neurosurgery is something which is very serious and not to be taken lightly. With that being said, we’re the true experts within our field and we want you as a potential patient to feel comfortable and know what to look for when selecting a neurosurgeon for your procedure. The right neurosurgeon should be able to improve your health, wellbeing, and livelihood through their excellent skill set and have you well on your way to recovery. The expertise required to become a board certified neurosurgeon is immense and something we hold in very high regard when first consulting our patients. We’ve worked very hard to achieve the credentials we possess and want you to know you’re in great hands here at Neurosurgery & Spine Consultants. Feel free to read on to learn more about how to choose the right neurosurgeon when going about your search.

Your Neurosurgeon’s Education

”Knowledge is power” is a very valuable quote within our field and for this reason, we’ve always chosen to participate within continuing education. The field of neurosurgery and the study of the human brain is always evolving as medical technology evolves. It’s in our best interest as neurosurgeons to keep up with the latest trends, methods, and techniques to best serve our patients and their unique conditions. Education is important in any field, yet it’s especially important within the field of neurosurgery.

Your Neurosurgeon’s Success Rate

A neurosurgeon’s success rate is extremely important as well. Every neurosurgeon you contact should be able to present you with a success rate and why they’re so successful with their methodologies. Any neurosurgeon who tends to avoid questions of that matter should be avoided, as they’re most likely attempting to hide something they’d rather not discuss. Here at Neurosurgery & Spine Consultants, we’re always transparent with our patients when it comes to success rates and the inherent risks and rewards you’ll potentially encounter from your specific surgery. We like to be upfront with everyone we treat, as we know trust is the number one factor within patient approval ratings.

Your Neurosurgeon’s Reviews

Patient reviews are extremely important when evaluating a medical practice of any kind. They’re especially important when evaluating a neurosurgery center, as your life and wellbeing is directly correlated with the level of professionalism, expertise, and knowhow your neurosurgeon possesses. You’ll certainly want to avoid a neurosurgery practice which has a wide range of moderate to negative reviews. This certainly signals something is “off” and it would be advantageous for you to avoid a neurosurgery center which has poor reviews and ratings. We at Neurosurgery & Spine Consultants have glowing reviews from nearly every patient we’ve treated. Read our reviews right here!

Your Neurosurgeon’s Facilities

The old saying of “you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover” is true in most scenarios, yet you’ll often want to judge a neurosurgery center by its facilities. This judgement can save you a world of trouble as the neurosurgery center should be clean, modern, inviting, and patient-friendly. Without these positive factors, you run the risk of a whole host of negative situations arising. Whether it’s an infection from a poorly maintained/sanitized facility, a lack of modern technology which ultimately delays your recovery time, or simply a bad experience which leaves you feeling uneasy; you’ll want to always ensure YOU feel your best when entering a neurosurgery center. Go with your gut (and brain) and choose whichever neurosurgery center you feel is best.

Your Neurosurgeon’s Awards

<p>It’s important  to be recognized as a medical professional for your expertise and efforts. Here at Neurosurgery & Spine Consultants, we’ve been lucky enough to be awarded with several honorable accolades. View them right here!</p>

Their Commitment to Their Craft

All in all, it’s very important for neurosurgeons to be passionate about what they do. Without the passion, dedication, and commitment to their craft; they’ll ultimately perform below the standards set forth by the neurosurgery community. Our neurosurgeons are extremely passionate about helping their patients return to good health and be well on their way to living a healthy, happy life once again. Feel free to read over their bios and see why they’re some of the best at what they do.

Choosing Neurosurgery & Spine Consultants for Your Neurosurgery

We know you’re researching and researching to find the right neurosurgery center for you. We want to let you know we’re always here for you and we’d love to show you why we’re one of the best neurosurgery centers in the country. Between our excellent facilities, our professional and friendly staff, and our excellent neurosurgeons; you’ll find the entire experience here to be top-notch. Feel free to fill out the contact form on this page to have one of our amazing staff members reach out to have you scheduled for an appointment as soon as possible. We look forward to hearing from you soon and we’re eager to begin resolving your condition.

DISCLAIMER: No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

Why Choose to Have Physical Therapy After Your Surgery?

Physical therapy can be a fantastic way to improve your levels of success, post-operatively. When we’re dealing with the spine and back area, anything we can do as a team to better help you recover; we’ll certainly utilize. Read on to learn more about the importance of post-surgery physical therapy and why we’ll most likely recommend it to you as well.

Physical Therapy May Help You Bounce Back Quicker

Physical therapy is here for you to help with movement, stamina, flexibility, etc… When you’re committed to a scheduled physical therapy program, you’re much more likely to stick to it rather than just being instructed to perform some stretches at home. Our team of physical therapy experts will work with you to help you reach your post-operative goals and be well on your way to recover as soon as possible.

Physical Therapy Can Motivate You

We mentioned the scheduled components of our physical therapy programs above, yet it’s also a motivating factor. What we mean by this is the fact you’ll be much more compelled to potentially better yourself through physical therapy when you’re on a regimen. Weekly physical therapy visits after your surgery may help you tremendously when it comes to having you back to normal. Let us help you stay motivated and active through your recovery and have you promoted to a healthier lifestyle.

Choosing Us for Your Post-Operative Physical Therapy

When you’re considering post-operative physical therapy, you’ll be thoroughly impressed with our amazing team of physical therapists. Between their kind and compassionate care paired with their expertise and experience; you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better group of individuals looking out for you and your recovery. Feel free to contact us using the button below and we’ll be sure to have you scheduled in as soon as possible!

DISCLAIMER: No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

Why Choosing Physical Therapy Prior to Your Surgery May Be Helpful

Opening up the opportunity to explore alternative therapies, such as physical therapy, can be fantastic to prepare you for surgery. We all know surgery can be an extremely nerve-wracking process. With the help of physical therapy from our team of experts, you’ll be better prepared to go through your surgery. You may even possibly come out stronger and more resilient than if you were to not have physical therapy treatment prior to undergoing said surgery. Read on to learn more about how physical therapy can prepare your body for what’s ahead, correct current issues to prevent future problems, and potentially help you recover much more quickly.

Preparing Your Body for What’s Ahead

Physical therapy can help your body become much better prepared for potential surgery and have you on the right track for a successful outcome. Going through the proper steps to best focus on problem areas through manipulation, stretching, and exercise can prove to be the right actions to have your body ready to go for your upcoming surgery.

Correcting Current Issues to Prevent Future Problems

Sometimes with physical therapy, we’ll be able to address current issues to prevent future problems from arising. Our physical therapists have the ability to recognize areas which require improvement and steadily resolve those areas through a series of structured plans to best assist you today, tomorrow, and in the future.

Helping You Recover Quickly

Overall, we at Neurosurgery & Spine Consultants want you to feel better than ever before. One of the best ways to help you feel better prepared for your surgery is to set a physical therapy plan in motion and have your body fine-tuned and ready to go. From there, you may see a significant improvement in recovery time and may even be back in action sooner than you think. Feel free to request an appointment using the button below and we’ll be sure to have you seen by one of our excellent physical therapists as soon as possible. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

DISCLAIMER: No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

How Physical Therapy Can Help

Physical therapy is one of the many ways you can go about improving your bodily health and wellbeing. As we’ll discuss in this post, surgery is not always the right choice. There are instances where we’d recommend surgery as the absolute last resort option because we care for our patients. We want to ensure we’ve exhausted all options when it comes to preserving and improving your health. Our team of physical therapists are truly experts within their field and will go above and beyond to help you achieve your goals. Read on to learn more about how we use physical therapy as a conservative measure and what that means for you.

Why Surgery is Not Always the Right Choice

Some spinal surgeons will automatically default to surgery without weighing all of the positives and negatives. We’re big believers in utilizing spinal surgery after we’ve already tried other methods as well. Physical therapy helps you explore the potential of healing through a series of exercises, stretches, coordinated movements, etc… Through these physical therapy plans, we’ve had many patients who have chosen to engage in a consistent and proactive physical therapy plan and have been able to avoid surgery altogether.

Taking Things One Step at a Time

It’s important to realize true healing through physical therapy is not an overnight fix. A proactive, steadfast, and strong-willed commitment to the process and realizing your end goal will help you maintain positivity and may ultimately help your envisioning of health become a reality.

Choosing Neurosurgery & Spine Consultants for Your Physical Therapy Needs

If you’re seeking compassionate, conservative care measures to assist you with your physical therapy needs, we’re here for you. Feel free to schedule an appointment using the button below and we’ll be sure to have you seen by one of our amazing physical therapists as soon as possible. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

DISCLAIMER: No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

Spinal Tumors: How We Provide Treatment

Spinal tumors can be a very scary condition. Whether the spinal tumors are benign or malignant, there’s still the potential for side effects to occur. With benign tumors, you may run the risk of the tumor itself causing pressure to build up over time within a nerve or disc, thus causing some very painful and sometimes debilitating symptoms to arise. Additionally, if your spinal tumor is malignant, it will be crucial to remove it regardless of whether or not its exuding pressure upon the spine. This is due to the fact it could begin to spread and cause other tumors to arise. Here at Neurosurgery & Spine Consultants, you’ll be able to know you’re in great hands the moment you contact us. We’re all about patient care and we strive to provide our patients with the care and compassion they deserve. Read on to learn more about how we can treat your spinal tumor condition and have you back on track to health and wellness as soon as possible.

What are Benign Spinal Tumors?

Benign spinal tumors are non-cancerous, more often than not harmless tumors. The only time they may need to be removed is if they’re exuding pressure upon the spinal cord. This may cause the nerves throughout the spinal cord to become negatively affected and may ultimately cause a great deal of pain and discomfort to occur. For this reason, we may recommend immediate removal if you’re experiencing tremendous pain and discomfort.

What are Malignant Spinal Tumors?

Malignant spinal tumors are quite the opposite of benign spinal tumors. They’re very much cancerous and need to be removed as soon as possible to prevent further spread of cancerous tissue to other areas of the spinal cord or body. You may have to undergo chemotherapy or radiation treatments to reduce the size of your malignant spinal tumor prior to surgery. In some cases, this may allow us to have a better chance of full removal of the malignant spinal tumor and may prevent any and all future cases of malignant spinal tumors from arising.

How We Treat Spinal Cord Tumors…

As mentioned above, there are a few different options when it comes to treating spinal cord tumors. First, we’ll want to thoroughly examine the area we suspect where the tumor is located with the help of an MRI or CT scan. We’ll always work closely with your oncologist to ensure we collaborate together to help eliminate any and all tumors we discover, the best we can. We may have to physically remove the spinal cord tumor through surgery, or choose the route of administering radiation and/or chemotherapy treatments to best reduce the size of the tumor prior to surgery itself. Whichever approach we end up taking, know you’re treatment is performed by board-certified neurosurgeons who have many, many years of experience resolving spinal tumor cases.

Choosing Neurosurgery & Spine Consultants for Your Spinal Tumor Treatment

When you choose Neurosurgery & Spine Consultants for your spinal tumor surgery, you’re placing your trust in our hands. We’ll always do right by you and ensure every step is taken to provide you with one of the best medical experiences while you go through this difficult time. Please feel free to reach out to us using the button below and we’ll be sure to respond to your inquiry as soon as possible. We look forward to hearing from you soon and are eager to begin resolving your spinal tumor condition as soon as possible.

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DISCLAIMER: No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.