Neurosurgery is a diversified field of medicine that deals with operable anomalies of the central nervous system, namely the brain and the spine, as well as the peripheral nerves of the limbs.
Although the treatment of various neurological diseases is performed not only by neurosurgeons, but also by neurologists and partly by orthopedic traumatologists, rheumatologists, physiotherapists and manual therapist, more severe complaints that can only be treated with surgery may require neurosurgical interventions in many cases.
It is important to mention that most neurosurgical consultations do not end with a proposal for a surgery. It is because in the vast majority of cases the neurological complaints can be effectively treated with complex treatments available at the pain management outpatient clinic which provide on the whole a faster and in many cases more risk-free way to deal with these complaints.
Appointment
Book an appointment online!
You can choose a convenient time in our calendar!
With Dr Máté Nagy, neurosurgeon
With Dr Levente Ilyés, neurosurgeon
At our clinic, the neurosurgery consultation, performed by our neurosurgeon and spine surgeon Dr Máté Nagy, is available within the framework of the pain management practice. The special neurosurgical knowledge is also assures our patients that the physican will only recommend surgery for an acute or chronic problem if there is no real chance of its recovery in another way (with targeted treatments). If that is the case, however, the patients will be guided to the most appropriate surgical institution for their recovery.
When is a neurosurgery consultation needed?
Nerve disorders can usually cause severe and persistent pain, numbness, sensory loss, limb weakness, gait disturbance and even immobility. These symptoms can be generated by some nerve injuries.
If a nerve is damaged but not completely torn, the injury will be more likely to be corrected by the body’s power to heal itself. However, if the nerve is completely torn or MRI scan shows myelopathy indicating permanent damage to the spinal cord, it can put the patient into a difficult situation. In this case, the main indication for surgery is to prevent further deterioration.
At our clinic, our experienced spinal surgeon – during the neurosurgery consultation – can determine the method of treating the neural complaints which can be preceded, for example, by the appearance of spinal pain radiating to the limbs.
The choice of the exact treatment method may depend on the following:
- how long have the complaints existed?
- is there a definite surgical indication such as paralysis or faecal or urinary disorder?
- it is important to consider the presence of possible associated diseases
- age of the patient is also decisive
If the nerve heals at a good pace, surgery is usually not necessary. In this case, it is essential to relax the part of the body concerned until the healing process takes place. The nerves heal slowly, so regeneration can take months. In many cases, this rehabilitation period can be accelerated by complex treatment available at the pain management clinic.
During the recovery period (either in the case of a surgery or non-surgical treatment) regular specialist check-ups are required in order to ensure that the recovery process is going well.
Appointment
Book an appointment online!
You can choose a convenient time in our calendar!
With Dr Máté Nagy, neurosurgeon
With Dr Levente Ilyés, neurosurgeon
Depending on the type and severity of the nerve injury, regular use of painkillers and neuroprotective vitamins may be needed during recovery. However, it makes a difference what kind of medication we take!
The over-the-counter painkillers should not be taken for too long due to their side effects – not to mention that they may not be able to relieve severe pain sufficiently.
Therefore, it is important to use targeted medications (even painkiller combinations) prescribed – in accordance with professional rules – for the treatment of so-called neuropathic disorders of nervous origin which are accompanied by severe pain.
During recovery from a nerve injury, our specialist may also recommend physiothereapy treatment to loosen up and relieve stiffness and restore proper movement.
What happens at the neurosurgery consultation at our clinic?
If the nature of the nerve injury is not clear, our neurosurgeon may recommend an ENG test. With this device, the function of the nerves can be assessed – more precisely, how quickly and to what extent the nerve responds to electrical stimuli. In most cases, it is also necessary to organize imaging tests. CT provides more accurate information about bones, while MR provides more accurate information about soft tissues (eg. ligaments, discs, nerves, etc.). X-ray is increasingly loosing ground in everyday practice.
Most of the nerve damages that cause chronic pain – which force the patients to visit us – is usually of spinal origin and can be treated well by giving lifestyle advice or medication (including infusion), as well as with injections, physiotherapy and manual therapy. If, based on diagnostic and personal examinations, the neurosurgeon thinks that the non-surgical options have been exhausted, surgery may be performed.
Some of the serious complaints that may require neurosurgery
Neurosurgery can be recommended more often for the following complaints and diseases:
- Chronic neck, back and low back pain
- Ischialgia (pain radiating from the low back to the lower limbs)
- Cervicobrachialgia (pain radiating from the cervical spine to the upper limbs)
- Disc herniation
- Spinal canal constriction
- Vertebral slippage (spondylolisthesis)
- Wear related to small joints
- Compressive vertebral fracture due to osteoporosis
- Previous unsuccessful spinal surgery in the medical history
- Inflammations of the spine
- The strength of muscle groups decreases, paralysis develops
- Faecal and urinary disorders
- Loss of consciousness
- Headache
- Epileptic seizure
- Visual disturbance, speech disorder, gait disturbance, movement coordination disorder, disorientation
- Cerebral nerve symptoms
- Symptoms showing increased intracranial pressure
- Hakim’s triad (memory impairment, gait disturbance, incontinence)
- Previous subarachnoid hemorrhage (stroke), cerebral aneurysm or other vascular malformation
- Parkinson’s disease
- Dystonia
- Refractory angina
- Phantom pain
- Postherpetic neuralgia
- Complex regional pain syndrome
The severity of the symptoms and the recommended therapy will be determined by our specialist during the consultation at our clinic.
Appointment
Book an appointment online!
You can choose a convenient time in our calendar!
With Dr Máté Nagy, neurosurgeon
With Dr Levente Ilyés, neurosurgeon
