Neurosurgery Program
Back and Neck
At Holy Cross Hospital, we have the surgical expertise,
a caring and compassionate nursing and support staff and a state-of-the-art
technology and facility – all available to assist our patients in
diagnosis, surgery, treatment and recovery. Here are just some of the
conditions we treat:
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For appointments
and referrals, call 888.768.5553. |
Artificial Disc Surgery
Cervical
disc disease is caused by damage in one or more discs due to arthritis
or an unknown cause. Surgery for cervical disc disease usually involves
removing the disc that is pinching the nerve or pressing on the spinal
cord. To close the space that's left when the disc is removed and restore
the spine to its original height, patients can opt for an artificial
cervical disc replacement.
Cauda
Equina Syndrome
Cauda equina syndrome is a serious neurologic condition
caused by compression of the nerves in the lower portion of the spinal
canal. Cauda equina syndrome is considered a surgical emergency. Patients
with cauda equine syndrome may need emergency surgery to relieve the
pressure on the nerves.
Herniated Disc
The bones that make up your spine are cushioned
by discs. When when a disc is damaged, slips, bulges or is ruptured,
that is called a herniated disc. This can happen in any part of your
spine, from your neck to your lower back. Most often surgery is recommended
if other measures don’t relieve the symptoms. The surgical treatment
of a herniated disc is to remove the spinal disc to free up space around
the compressed nerve.
Low Back Pain
If you have lower
back pain, you are not alone. At some point, nearly everyone has back
pain that interferes with their life. According to the National Institute
of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Americans spend at least $50
billion each year on low back pain, the most common cause of job-related
disability and a leading contributor to missed work. And back pain
is the second most common neurological ailment in the United States — only
headache is more common. Most times lower back pain will go away within
a few days. Other times it may take much longer and may be a symptom
of or lead to a more serious condition. Some common causes of lower
back pain can be from a herniated disk, osteoarthritis, spinal
stenosis,
spinal deformities, etc.
Lumbar
Spinal Stenosis
The lumbar spine (lower back) provides the foundation
to carry the weight of the upper body. It is made up of five vertebrae
in the lower part of the spine between the ribs and the pelvis. Lumbar
spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal, which compresses
nerves. If nonsurgical therapies are unsuccessful, surgery may be considered.
The main goal of surgery is to remove the structures compressing the
nerves in the lumbar spine. The roof of the vertebrae is removed to
create more space for the nerves in a procedure called decompressive
laminectomy. This leaves the vertebrae with abnormal motion. A spinal
fusion may be recommended to enhance fusion and support unstable areas
of the spine.
Neck Pain
There are many causes
of neck pain – from mild to serious. For serious neck problems,
a neurosurgeon may be consulted to make an accurate diagnosis, recommend
treatment and discuss your options. Virtually all of the body’s
nerves have to pass through the neck to reach other parts of the body
including organs and appendages. For this reason, it is important to
get serious neck pain diagnosed and addressed.
Osteoarthritis
Usually related to the normal aging process,
osteoarthritis is a type of degenerative arthritis caused by the wearing
away and eventual loss of cartilage (the “padding”) in
one or more joints. osteoarthritis is the most common arthritis and
commonly affects the hands, feet, spine, hips, knees. Surgery is generally
reserved for patients whose osteoarthritis is severe and unresponsive
to other more conservative treatments.
Spinal Cord Injury
A spinal cord
injury (SCI) is damage to the spinal cord that results in a loss of
function such as mobility or feeling. The spinal cord is about 18 inches
long, extending from the base of the brain to near the waist. It is
the major bundle of nerves that carries nerve impulses to and from
the brain to the rest of the body. The most common causes of spinal
cord injury are auto and motorcycle accidents, falls, acts of violence
such as shootings and stabbings, sports and recreation injuries, and
disease that may affect the spinal cord such as cancer and arthritis.
The effects of SCI depend on the type and level of the injury. Most
SCI injuries cause permanent disability or loss of movement (paralysis)
and sensation below the site of the injury.
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