The Definition of Neurosurgery

Neurosurgery is a branch of medicine that focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system. Neurosurgeons are required to undergo four years of medical school, one internship year, five to six years of neurosurgical residency training, and additional training in a neurosurgical specialty.

Subspecialties of Neurosurgery

Neurosurgery itself is a fairly broad category and can be divided into a variety of subspecialties, including:

• Pediatric neurosurgery
• Spinal neurosurgery
• Skull base neurosurgery
• Oncology neurosurgery
• Pain management neurosurgery
• Neurotrauma/critical care
• Endovascular neurosurgery

In the case of spinal conditions, the roles of a neurosurgeon and an orthopedist often overlap. However, while an orthopedist deals with matters of the musculoskeletal system and can perform spine procedures, only a neurosurgeon is trained to perform surgeries inside the dura mater, which is the outermost layer of the three-layered protective lining around the brain and spinal cord, called the meninges. Spinal conditions that affect the spinal column, such as the vertebrae and intervertebral discs, are primarily treated by orthopedists and do not require neurosurgery.

When the Nervous System is Affected by Spine Conditions

The spinal cord can be affected by a variety of conditions, including traumatic injury, illness, and degeneration, among others. Anatomical abnormalities caused by degenerative conditions, such as a herniated disc, bulging disc, spinal stenosis, bone spurs, and spondylolisthesis, can compress spinal nerves or the spinal cord itself. Neural compression can give rise to symptoms like pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness in the back, neck, and/or extremities. If you experience these types of symptoms, discuss conservative treatment options with your primary care physician.