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Why would you be referred to a neurosurgeon?

Author

Ava White

Updated on March 18, 2026

Why would you be referred to a neurosurgeon?

Common reasons why people need neurosurgery include: strokes or bleeding on the brain (cerebral aneurysms) benign or cancerous brain and spinal tumours. spinal conditions such as tethered spinal cords, herniated discs and osteoarthritis.

Beside this, why would my doctor refer me to a neurosurgeon?

Neurosurgeon. However, if your diagnosis exposes a physical cause for a neurological condition, a neurologist may make a referral to a neurosurgeon if surgery is needed to remove or correct the condition to improve your outcome. If you have a nerve, spinal, or brain issue, consult with your primary care doctor.

Also Know, what does a neurosurgeon treat? A neurosurgeon is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of disorders of the central and peripheral nervous system including congenital anomalies, trauma, tumors, vascular disorders, infections of the brain or spine, stroke, or degenerative diseases of the spine.

Similarly one may ask, what does a neurosurgeon do on your first visit?

During your initial visit, you will be seen by our staff, who will ask about your medical history and your symptoms. One of our physicians will then perform a focused neurological examination. After reviewing your medical history and diagnostic tests, you will be presented with a number of treatment options.

What does a neurosurgeon do for back pain?

Every back pain and neck pain patient is unique, with different degrees of problems associated with a bone or disc abnormality. A neurologist is trained to discover the causes of symptoms, as well as using EMG testing to assess the injury to nerves and whether it is reversible in the short and long term.

Does seeing a neurosurgeon mean surgery?

A neurosurgeon is a board certified MD who specializes in preventing, diagnosing and treating problems related to the nervous system. As the title suggests, going to see a neurosurgeon usually means surgery as a treatment is on the table.

What kind of surgeries do neurosurgeons perform?

Neurosurgical Procedures
  • Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery.
  • Microvascular Decompression.
  • Peripheral Nerve Surgery.
  • Base of Skull Surgery.
  • Pituitary Surgery.
  • Cervical Spine Surgery.
  • Functional Neurosurgery.
  • Brain Tumour Excision.

When should I see a neurosurgeon for back pain?

Important factors that patients may want to consider prior to seeing a spine surgeon for their low back pain include: Level of low back pain and/or leg pain. If the pain is not alleviated by non-surgical treatments and has continued for a few weeks or months, it may be time to see a spine surgeon.

Can a neurosurgeon diagnose MS?

There is no single diagnostic test that is proof-positive for multiple sclerosis (MS). Since diagnosing MS can be very difficult, it must be done by a neurologist who specializes in treating MS. As many as 10 percent of people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis actually have some other condition that mimics MS.

Does a neurosurgeon do back surgery?

A New Sub-Specialty is Born
An orthopedic surgeon who receives additional training—a spine fellowship—is considered a spinal surgeon. In contrast, a neurosurgeon is trained to perform spine surgery during their residency.

When should I see a neurosurgeon?

Neurosurgeons treat many painful conditions, such as low back pain, epilepsy, stroke, sciatica, pinched nerves and chronic pain. These conditions may manifest itself in one place but appear in another. For example, carpal tunnel symptoms may be related to spinal disc problems in the neck.

What's the difference between a neurosurgeon and a neurologist?

Both neurologists and neurosurgeons treat people who have conditions that affect the nervous system. However, neurosurgeons perform surgery, whereas neurologists do not. Neurosurgeons go through medical school and receive specialist training in neurology.

What do neurosurgeons do for bulging discs?

Bedrest, anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy are often tried before referral to a spine surgeon. Epidural injections for pain control are often quite helpful as well. However, a small number of disc herniations will not heal with conservative treatments, and surgery may be indicated.

What part of the spinal cord controls the legs?

Nerves in the thoracic govern the middle of the body, those in lumbar spine extend into the outer legs, and the sacral nerves control the middle of legs and organ functions of the pelvis.

What a neurologist can diagnose?

Neurologists are doctors who diagnose and treat problems with the brain and nervous system. Some of the conditions a neurologist treats are: Alzheimer's disease. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease)

What questions should I ask a neurosurgeon?

Questions to Ask Your Neurosurgeon
  • Why do I need surgery?
  • What is your experience in doing this surgery?
  • Have you performed surgery on someone with my tumor type before?
  • If so, how many patients with my tumor type do you perform surgery on each year?
  • How soon do I need to have surgery?
  • What are the possible risks of surgery?

What's the difference between sciatica and spinal stenosis?

Sciatica is pain in the distribution of the sciatic nerve. These can include spinal stenosis, a ruptured or bulged disc, direct trauma to the nerve, and slippage of the vertebrae. Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the foramina, which is a passageway for nerves to exit the spinal canal.

How do I find a neurosurgeon?

  1. A Personal Decision. Just knowing that you need to see a neurosurgeon can be worrisome.
  2. Get Referrals.
  3. Research the Neurosurgeon's Credentials.
  4. Consider the Neurosurgeon's Experience.
  5. Consider Gender.
  6. Research Hospital Quality.
  7. Evaluate Communication Style.
  8. Review Patient Satisfaction Surveys.

Why did my neurologist order an MRI?

Neurological uses include the diagnosis of brain and spinal cord tumors, eye disease, inflammation, infection, and vascular irregularities that may lead to stroke. MRI can also detect and monitor degenerative disorders such as multiple sclerosis and can document brain injury from trauma.

Who is the best doctor for spine surgery?

Orthopedic surgeons may be Medical Doctors (MD) or Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) who have completed a five-year surgical residency focused on the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. Orthopedists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of almost all bone and joint disorders, such as: Spinal disorders.

Can neurologist help with anxiety?

They are not neurological conditions. Additionally, a neurological diagnosis can often lead to anxiety and depression. Therefore, the neurologists at Complete Neurological Care are always on the lookout for the symptoms of depression and stress. Our NYC neurologists can sometimes treat your anxiety here.

What's the difference between neurosurgeon and orthopedic surgeon?

Neurosurgeon Versus Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon
However, the main difference is in the training. A Neurosurgeon is trained to treat conditions of the brain and spine, while an orthopaedic spine surgeon specializes in treating the spine.

Can a neurosurgeon perform general surgery?

Equipped with these imaging tools, a neurosurgeon can perform both conventional open surgery and minimally invasive surgical procedures.

Should I see a neurologist for a pinched nerve?

If you think you have pinched nerve symptoms, it's best to visit your primary care physician first. It may be helpful to write down the symptoms you've been having before your appointment. If your primary care doctor is unable to diagnose the pinched nerve, you may need to see a neurologist or orthopedist.

What does a neurosurgeon wear?

Doctors in the United States may wear their own clothes with a white coat except for surgery. Support staff such as custodians and unit clerks also wear scrubs in some facilities. When the physician is not performing surgery, the scrub is often worn under a white coat.

How long do you stay in hospital after back surgery?

You may be in the hospital for 1 to 3 days; longer if you have spinal fusion. Rest is important. But doctors want you out of bed as soon as possible. Most people start physical therapy within 24 hours.

What are the top three common nervous system disorders?

Nervous system diseases
  • Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease affects brain function, memory and behaviour.
  • Bell's palsy. Bell's palsy is a sudden weakness or paralysis of facial muscles on one side of the face.
  • Cerebral palsy.
  • Epilepsy.
  • Motor neurone disease (MND)
  • Multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Neurofibromatosis.
  • Parkinson's disease.

What are the working conditions of a neurosurgeon?

The working environment for neurosurgeons is quite pleasant with most of the patient interaction and surgeries happening inside well-equipped hospitals. However, work hours can be long and at times, neurosurgeons end up spending 50-60 hours (or even more, depending on the practice) in a week.

What skills do you need to be a neurosurgeon?

Skills and interests
  • a high degree of manual dexterity.
  • good hand-eye co-ordination, excellent vision and visuo-spatial awareness.
  • a blend of confidence and caution.
  • good organisational ability and excellent communication skills.
  • physical stamina to cope with long hours and demanding nature of the work.

Who is the best neurosurgeon in the world?

The Most Interesting Neurosurgeon in the World. His name is Duke Samson.

Is it hard to become a neurosurgeon?

There's no "good time" to have a kid.
After medical school, you have seven years of residency and then one or two additional years of fellowship before you can even become a neurosurgeon. I had a baby when I was a resident, and it was really hard, even with an extraordinarily supportive family.

What type of back pain requires surgery?

Reasons You May Need Back Surgery
Bone spurs in your spine (these are often caused by arthritis) that are putting pressure on your spinal cord. A degenerative spinal condition like stenosis (narrowing of the protective bony canal around the spinal cord) that's causing side effects, like weakness.

When should you consider lower back surgery?

Back surgery might be an option if conservative treatments haven't worked and your pain is persistent and disabling. Back surgery often more predictably relieves associated pain or numbness that goes down one or both arms or legs. These symptoms often are caused by compressed nerves in your spine.

Can a neurosurgeon prescribe medication?

Some neurosurgeons specialize in specific types of spine surgery, such as minimally invasive surgery or scoliosis surgery. Neurosurgeons are also able to prescribe medication and refer patients for non-operative treatment, such as physical therapy and rehabilitation.

How do I know if I need back surgery?

Watch for common signs of nerve damage such as tingling and numbness in the legs. If you have severe symptoms such as bladder or bowel incontinence, you should see a specialist as soon as possible. If you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, it does not necessarily mean that you need spinal surgery.

What can I expect at a neurology appointment?

During your first appointment with a neurologist, they'll likely perform a physical exam and a neurological exam. A neurological exam will test muscle strength, reflexes, and coordination. Since different disorders can have similar symptoms, your neurologist may need more testing to make a diagnosis.

How can you tell if back pain is muscular?

Symptoms to expect from a pulled lower back muscle—or any type of lower back strain—typically include:
  • Dull, achy low back pain. Strained muscles usually feel sore, tight, or achy.
  • Intensified pain with movement.
  • Pain that is localized in the low back.

What does a neurosurgeon do for spinal stenosis?

Washington University spinal neurosurgeons routinely treat spinal stenosis – the narrowing of the enclosed space in the spine – in both the neck (cervical stenosis) and low back (lumbar stenosis). They provide a full range of treatment options including conservative (non-surgical) measures and surgical decompression.

Should I see a neurologist for sciatica?

A neurologist, or physician who specializes in the nervous system, is the best person to manage severe sciatica. Your primary doctor may refer you to a specialist in such cases. If you're unsure if your symptoms are related to sciatica, or if your symptoms get worse despite home therapy, consult a physician.

Should I see an orthopedist for back pain?

Start by quizzing your GP. Low back pain is one of the most common medical complaints, so family doctors see a lot of back pain patients. Between orthopedic surgeons, chiropractors, physiatrists, neurosurgeons, and osteopathic physicians, it's hard to know which doctor can best treat your pain.

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Why would you be referred to a neurosurgeon?