Neurosurgery

The neurosurgeons at Milford Regional treat a full spectrum of brain and spine disease.  Often, neurosurgery can be performed with a minimally invasive approach.  This advancement has made surgery much more comfortable for the patient.  In most cases, it allows for a shorter hospital stay, the patient experiences less pain and complications, and there is a quicker recovery at home.

 The most common conditions our neurosurgeons treat include:

• Herniated disc
• Spinal stenosis
• Degenerative disc disease
• Spondylolisthesis
• Spinal fractures and disorders
• Spinal infections
• Spinal and nerve tumors
• Spinal vascular disease
• Spinal deformity and scoliosis
• Spinal cord injury

In addition, the neurosurgeons perform spinal reconstruction for tumors and deformity, as well as surgery to remove brain tumors.  If your condition is complex and requires a higher level of care, you may be transferred to a tertiary care hospital for treatment. 

In all cases, our neurosurgeons take great care in the evaluation, diagnosis and best course of treatment for each patient.  If it is determined that surgery is necessary, surgical treatment at Milford Regional may include:

Spinal Decompression – Spinal decompression is a surgical procedure which is performed to alleviate pain caused by pinched nerves.  During decompression back surgery, a small portion of the bone over the nerve root and/or disc material from under the nerve root is removed to give the nerve root more space and provide a better healing environment.

Spinal Fusion – There are many different types of spinal fusion surgery, depending on the condition and the patient.  All types are performed to limit pain and provide stability to the spine.  During surgery, the spinal discs between two or more vertebrae is removed and the adjacent vertebrae are “fused” by bone grafts and/or metal devices secured by screws.  Spinal fusion may result in some loss of flexibility in the spine and requires a longer recovery period to allow bone grafts to grow and fuse the vertebrae together.

Arthroplasty/Motion Preserving Surgery – Conventional techniques for spinal surgery have relied on the fusion of spinal bones to each other to treat pain and provide adequate structural support.  As we have seen with advanced technology such as artificial knee and hip joints, artificial spinal disc replacement is now available.

In some patients, replacing discs can prevent the need for fusion surgery and allow for more normal spinal movement following surgery.  Recovery time is often faster and there is no need for special bracing.