What is Neurosurgery?
Neurosurgery is the medical specialty that provides expert care of the nervous system, including the spine, brain and peripheral nerves. At Stamford Health, we combine advanced brain and spine surgery with compassionate, personalized care and an evidence-based approach. Our two board-certified neurosurgeons, Dr. Andrea Douglas, MD, FAANS,FACS, and Dr. C. Cory Rosenstein, MD, DABNS, manage a wide spectrum of brain and spine disorders and remain committed to offering the best modern methods, including minimally invasive options.
Dr. Douglas’s expertise lies within minimally invasive spinal decompression and fusion techniques for degenerative, scoliotic, traumatic, and neoplastic spinal disorders. Dr. Rosenstein has particular expertise in microsurgical techniques and minimally invasive surgery. Both doctors advocate an evidence-based approach to neurosurgery, meaning your individual needs and specific condition are carefully and thoroughly reviewed no matter the course of treatment.
What is the Anatomy of the Spine?
The spine is one of the most important parts of your body, supporting your trunk and playing a role in supporting truncal motion. The spine is involved in:
- Balance
- Movement
- Shock absorption
- Spinal cord protection
- Upright posture
Together, the spinal column which consists of the vertebrae, discs and lamina protects your spinal cord which relays information to your brain regarding motion and sensation throughout your body. This is achieved through coordination of your back’s muscle structure and complex interaction of your skeleton and ligaments. When your spinal axis is injured and its function is impaired, you are at risk for painful and even disabling consequences.
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Specialized Care
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Treatment Options
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TECHNOLOGY
The disorders and conditions our team specializes in include:
- Back pain
- Brain tumors
- Carotid stenosis
- Chiari malformation
- Degenerative Scoliosis
- Hydrocephalus
- Neck pain
- Spine tumors
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Cervical radiculopathy
- Cervical/thoracic & lumbar scoliosis
- Degenerative disc disease
- Herniated discs
- Spinal instability
- Spinal stenosis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Trigeminal neuralgia
We offer a variety of treatment options for neurological disorders:
Cervical Spine:
- Anterior Cervical Discectomy
- Anterior Cervical Discectomy with Fusion
- Foraminotomy
- Cervical Laminectomy
- Corpectomy
Lower Back:
- Lateral Interbody Fusion
- Lumbar Laminectomy
- Posterolateral Lumbar Fusion
- Spinal Fusion
- Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion
Before we determine whether surgery is right for your particular situation, it is important for you to first understand surgical and non-surgical paths. Doctors Douglas and Rosenstein are well-versed in non-surgical options, including:
Exercise techniques to help:
- Stabilize the spine
- Strengthen core muscles
- Improve mobilization and flexibility along with physical therapists or physiatrists as well as managing pain by way of:
- Massage, heat, or electrical stimulation
- Consulting with pain management specialists
Minimally invasive neurosurgery:
If surgery is the best course of option, we’ll discuss minimally invasive approaches with you. Some of the highlights and benefits of minimally invasive neurosurgery are:
- Small incisions and access ports just 18 mm wide
- Minimized damage to structures supporting the spine, such as bones, ligaments and muscles
- Reduced blood loss
- Shortened hospital stays
- Quicker return to normal activities
Remember, we’ll decide together if surgery is the best course of action for you only after all other options are exhausted.
Other Surgical Specialties and Advanced Technologies We Offer
- Craniotomy for brain tumors
- Intraoperative Stereotaxis
- Minimally Invasive Spinal Decompression
- Spinal Cord Stimulator Placement for chronic pain
- Stealth/Stryker Navigation
- Stereotactic Radiosurgery: Linac and Cyberknife
- VP shunting for hydrocephalus
