Patient Education

would like to be your partner in health care. Feel free to ask your questions and share your concerns with us. We will work with you to develop a wellness program for the care and treatment you need.

We welcome you to our practice and look forward to caring for you.

provides a full range of medical services including the following:

Cervical Laminectomy

A cervical laminectomy is a surgical procedure that can effectively relieve compression of the spinal nerves and so reduce the pain of spinal stenosis. Cervical spinal stenosis is a condition that involves a narrowing of the spinal column in the neck area. It often produces pain, cramping, weakness or numbness in the neck, shoulders or arms. This condition can develop as a result of injury to, or deterioration of, the discs, joints or bones within the spinal canal. Because the vertebrae of the neck are more capable of movement than any other area of the spine and because they are not only responsible for protecting the spinal cord, but for supporting the skull, surgical repairs in this area are a delicate matter. ...

Adult-onset Hydrocephalus

Hydrocephalus literally means "water on the brain." In this disorder, excessive fluid accumulates in the brain, causing a variety of troubling symptoms. While some cases of adult-onset hydrocephalus result from a pre-existing congenital defect, most are acquired as a result of trauma, tumor, infection or hemorrhage. The condition is most common in adults over the age of 60. Because this disorder most often occurs later in life, and because many of the symptoms of adult-onset hydrocephalus are the same as those associated with aging or early dementia, some patients may be initially misdiagnosed or may misdiagnose their own condition. ...

Acoustic Neuroma

An acoustic neuroma is a benign tumor found on the vestibular cochlear nerve, the nerve that connects the ear to the brain. This nerve is behind the ear, right under the brain.

A type of auditory tumor, an acoustic neuroma is also known as a vestibular schwannoma. This type of tumor is usually slow-growing and, although it does not affect brain tissue as cancerous tumors do, it may press against the nerves controlling hearing and balance as it grows. An acoustic neuroma is an uncommon cause of hearing loss. Many patients do not experience any problems from this type of tumor because it may remain very small, but if enlarges enough to exert serious pressure on the brain, it may become life-threatening. ...

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis is a form of chronic inflammatory arthritis that significantly affects the joints of the spine. This autoimmune condition causes swelling between the vertebrae, and often affects one or both sacroiliac joints, the joints that attach the spine to the pelvis. In severe cases, the extreme swelling may cause the bones of the spine to fuse. Pain, swelling, and stiffness in the lower back are the typical symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis, but inflammation may occur in other parts of the body, including the eyes. Men are more likely than women to develop ankylosing spondylitis and it most commonly occurs in late adolescence or early adulthood. ...

Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion is a combined surgical procedure to decompress spinal nerves and stabilize the cervical spine. This surgery is performed to relieve pain, numbness and weakness in the neck and upper back and to provide stability in this portion of the spine. As the name indicates, this procedure is performed through an incision at the front, or anterior, of one side of the neck. With this surgical approach, the disc can be accessed without disturbing the spinal cord, the neck muscles and uninvolved spinal nerves. The operation is performed under general anesthesia. ...

Brain Aneurysm Embolization

A brain aneurysm embolization, also known as endovascular coiling, is a minimally invasive treatment for a brain aneurysm. It can be used to treat aneurysms that have ruptured and those that are intact. During the procedure, a catheter is inserted into the artery and a coil is threaded through the catheter and placed within the aneurysm, cutting off the flow of blood to the aneurysm. The lack of blood flow prevents the aneurysm from rupturing or leaking. Brain aneurysm embolization is an alternative treatment method available to patients that do not qualify for surgery. ...

Brain Cancer Surgery

Craniotomy is a type of brain surgery used to treat, among other conditions, brain cancer. During craniotomy, a piece of the skull (called a "bone flap") is surgically removed in order to expose the brain. For the majority of brain cancers, surgery is the treatment of choice. If left untreated, brain cancer can lead to life-threatening complications, which include obstructed flow of cerebrospinal fluid, cerebral hernia and stroke. These complications can cause permanent brain damage or even death. ...

Burr Hole Drainage

Burr hole drainage is a surgical procedure used to remove a blood clot near the brain. These blood clots are known as subdural hematomas because they form under the dura, which is the protective covering of the brain. Hematomas usually require removal because they can compress the brain tissue and cause life-threatening complications. In certain cases, a traditional open surgery, known as a craniotomy, may be necessary. But many hematomas can successfully be removed using burr hole drainage, in which a small perforation is created through the skull to suction out the blood and relieve pressure on the brain. ...

Chiari Malformation

Chiari malformation (CM) is a structural abnormality in the brain in which the cerebellum is located in a lower position than usual. This happens when the skull is abnormally small or misshapen. Under normal circumstances, the cerebellum is situated at the lower rear of the skull, above the foramen magnum (the opening to the spinal canal). When Chiari malformation occurs, the cerebellum is located below the foramen magnum. In this location, more pressure is exerted on the cerebellum and medulla (brain stem), and the functions they control, including balance and motor control, may be adversely affected. This condition may be congenital or develop as the patient grows and it may or may not result in symptoms. ...

Chronic Spasticity

Chronic spasticity is a muscular disorder in which patients experience persistent tightness or stiffness in certain muscles, as well as an inability to control them. Depending on which muscles are involved, spasticity may affect movement, walking ability or speech. The problem results from damage within the nervous system that disturbs the communication between the brain, the spinal cord and the muscles. ...

Craniectomy

A craniectomy is a surgical procedure performed when the portion of the skull removed during brain surgery is not replaced immediately. Reasons for the neurosurgeon to perform a craniectomy include: creating room the brain swelling after traumatic injury, removing infected portions of the skull, or removing portions of the skull where traumatic injury has resulted in multiple fragments. The procedure is always performed as a lifesaving measure. ...

Meningioma

A meningioma is a type of tumor that develops in the meninges, which are the membranes that provide a covering for the brain and spinal cord. Meningiomas are typically benign, with only a small percentage being malignant. If left untreated, a meningioma can compress the brain, leading to concentration and memory problems, behavioral changes and seizures. ...

Stereotactic Brain Biopsy

A stereotactic brain biopsy is a diagnostic technique used to acquire samples of brain tissue.This test can be helpful in determining the presence of a tumor, infection, vascular abnormality or cancerous cells. This minimally invasive procedure uses advanced technology including MRI or CT scans and three-dimensional computer imaging, to safely and precisely reach a specific area of the brain. Surgeons may opt to use a stereotactic brain biopsy rather than a traditional biopsy when there is more than one area of the brain that must be reached, or the area in question is in a portion of the brain that is difficult and dangerous to access. It is also recommended for patients who do not tolerate anesthesia as only sedation is necessary. ...

Traumatic Brain Injury

A traumatic brain injury occurs when a blow or injury to the head causes damage to the brain. While not all head injuries result in brain damage, those that do can bruise the brain, tear nerve fibers or cause internal bleeding. Most traumatic brain injuries occur as a result of a fall, motor vehicle accident, a direct blow to the head or assault. Sports related injuries may also be the cause of some traumatic brain injuries. Severe traumatic brain injuries may lead to permanent brain damage or death. ...

Neurological Rehabilitation

Neurological rehabilitation assists patients who have suffered brain or spinal cord injury, or who have other problems of the central nervous system, to develop or regain their strength and life skills. Such rehabilitation is designed to foster independence and emotional confidence as it simultaneously speeds the healing process. In addition, it helps family members and other caregivers return to a more normal lifestyle. ...

Vagus Nerve Stimulation

Vagus nerve stimulation is a therapeutic treatment that sends electric signals to the brain through a small device that is implanted underneath the skin of the chest. This device, known as as a vagus nerve stimulator, sends pulses of electrical energy to the vagus nerve and to the brain, which helps to inhibit seizures in many patients with epilepsy. The vagus nerve is one of twelve cranial nerves in the brain, and it sends messages from the brain to the body's major organs including the heart, lungs and intestines, and to areas of the brain that control mood, sleep, and other functions. Some research has indicated that when stimulated by electrical impulses, the vagus nerve sends messages to the brain that help to stop seizures from occurring, and may also help to control mood in people suffering from depression. ...