Treatments & Procedures
We have always treated surgery as a last option. Before recommending an operation, our neurosurgeons make sure every reasonable non-surgical avenue has been considered. When surgery is the right choice, our team uses the most advanced and minimally invasive techniques available for each patient’s specific condition.
Non-Surgical & Pain Management Care
Many of the patients we see never need surgery at all. Depending on the condition, a treatment plan may include medication management, image-guided injections, physical therapy, or activity and lifestyle changes — often in partnership with Hurley’s physical therapy, rehabilitation, and pain management teams. This is always our starting point, regardless of diagnosis, and many patients see meaningful improvement with a conservative plan alone and never need surgery.
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
When surgery is needed for degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, or similar spine conditions after conservative treatment hasn’t provided enough relief, our surgeons favor minimally invasive techniques designed to reduce tissue disruption, shorten recovery time, and limit time spent in the hospital compared to traditional open surgery. Every surgical plan is individualized based on your imaging, symptoms, and overall health, and your surgeon will review the specifics with you at your consultation.
Complex & Reconstructive Spine Surgery
Some spine conditions — deformities like scoliosis, trauma, tumors, or cases where a prior surgery hasn’t fully resolved the problem — call for more extensive reconstructive treatment. Our fellowship-trained spine neurosurgeons build an individualized plan for these more complex cases rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. These procedures are typically done in the hospital and may involve a longer stay and more involved recovery than minimally invasive surgery, including coordinated rehabilitation.
Neurosurgical Oncology
Brain, skull base, and spinal cord tumors — such as meningioma or acoustic neuroma — are treated with a coordinated plan that may include surgery, and is often developed together with oncology and radiation specialists depending on the type and location of the tumor. Recovery depends heavily on the tumor’s location and the extent of surgery, and your team will provide a plan specific to your procedure.
Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery & Embolization
For vascular conditions of the brain and spine — including aneurysms, AVMs, dural arteriovenous fistulas, and related conditions — our team offers advanced treatment options, including minimally invasive, catheter-based embolization procedures, tailored to the specific vascular issue. Recovery varies significantly depending on the procedure and the condition being treated.
Multidisciplinary Support
Recovering from a brain or spine condition often takes more than one specialist. Through Hurley Medical Center, our patients have access to physical therapists, rehabilitation specialists, and pain management providers who work alongside our neurosurgeons throughout treatment and recovery.
Second Opinions
If you’ve already been diagnosed with a brain or spine condition and want another perspective on your treatment options, our neurosurgeons welcome second-opinion consultations.
This page describes general categories of care and is not a guarantee of treatment for any specific condition; the right approach depends on an individual evaluation. To find out what options make sense for you, request an appointment or call us at 810-262-7030.