Neurology is a branch of medicine that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of the nervous system. The nervous system is comprised of the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. A neurologist and neurosurgeon are both specialists in the field of neurology, but a neurosurgeon has additional training in the study of operating on the nervous system. A neurologist’s training is limited to prescribing medications.
Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics (CNSO) is the most comprehensive spine and brain center in New Jersey, providing treatments for a wide variety of conditions. Here, the CNSO medical team explains the difference between a neurologist and a neurosurgeon.
What Is a Neurologist?
A neurologist is a medical doctor who has specialized training in diagnosing and treating disorders of the brain and nervous system that can be treated solely by medications. Pediatric neurologists specialize in the treatment of childhood neurological disorders.
Some of the disorders only a neurologist will treat, as well as those that may require a neurologist, primary care doctor, or an emergency room doctor to contact a neurosurgeon include:
- Alzheimer’s disease: A progressive disease that affects memory and other mental functions.
- Parkinson’s disease: A progressive disease that affects the nervous system.
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): A nervous system disease that weakens muscles and impacts physical function.
- Multiple sclerosis (MS):A condition in which the immune system attacks the central nervous system and causes communication problems between the brain and the body.
- Epilepsy: A chronic noncommunicable disease of the brain that causes seizures. However, neurosurgeons can identify and halt the neuropathic progression, which culminates in a seizure, via a minor operation.
- Migraines: A migraine headache can be debilitating for some people. Migraines that are refractive to treatment can be treated by a pain management doctor via a medication injection.
- Concussions: A type of traumatic brain injury caused by a bump or blow to the head.
- Stroke: A blockage of the blood supply to part of the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. If the stroke results in significant blockage or blood loss, a neurosurgeon will be contacted to immediately remove the blood clot or stop the bleeding via an operation.
- Tourette syndrome: A condition of the nervous system that causes people to have sudden twitches, movements, or sounds that happen repeatedly.
A neurologist’s main responsibility is managing the brain disorders of their patients and providing proper medication or physical therapy treatment to alleviate symptoms.
What Is a Neurosurgeon?
A neurosurgeon is as trained as a neurologist in terms of diagnosing neurological disorders. However, they are also intensely trained in neuroanatomy and the consequences of defects to the nervous system so they can plan and perform successful surgeries. Successful surgery allows an individual to regain all their functions after the surgery. Examples of the anatomic structures that a neurosurgeon will operate on include the structures that protect the nervous system such as:
- Skull
- Brain
- Spinal cord
- Spinal nerve roots
- Peripheral nerves
- Vertebral bones
- Discs of the spine
- Blood vessels of the brain
- Blood vessels of the spine
- Dura of the brain and spine
- Muscles
- Soft tissues
Some conditions neurosurgeons often treat conservatively at first. However, if there is no resolution, they might operate for treatment. These conditions include:
- Brain tumors: A growth of cells on or near the brain that can be cancerous or benign.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome: Caused by pressure on the median nerve as it passes through the wrist and into the hand.
- Cerebrospinal fluid leak: When there is a tear or hole in the dural membrane. The dura surrounds the brain and spinal cord.
- Chronic neck or back pain: Any anatomically related condition that causes a patient pain in the neck or back and is not responsive to conservative treatment.
- Congenital brain and spinal column conditions: Malformation of the bone or soft tissue of the brain or spine.
- Herniated discs: A tear or extruding tissue and substance of the soft, rubbery cartilaginous material between the vertebrae of the spine.
- Pinched nerves: A pinched nerve happens when too much pressure is applied to a nerve. The pathology is caused by swelling of the nerve or by a sounding anatomic structure which is most often bone.
- Sciatica: Refers to pain that travels along the sciatic nerve. Often responds to conservative care such as physical therapy or a pain management injection of steroids.
- Bone spurs: Bony growths that form in the joints or the spine.
- Spinal stenosis: Pressure put on the spinal cord when the space inside the spinal column is too small.
- Scoliosis: A sideways curvature of the spine.
- Spondylolisthesis: Displacement of vertebrae where bone slides out of alignment with the other vertebral bone placing pressure on the spinal cord and affected nerve roots.
- Traumatic injuries: Injuries from motor vehicle accidents and similar incidents can affect the head, brain, neck, or spine.
To optimize the patient’s care, a neurosurgeon or a neurologist will direct other medical professionals to perform conservative and supportive care. These specialties include physical therapy, occupational therapy, pain management, and oncology.
What Is the Main Difference Between a Neurosurgeon and a Neurologist?
The main difference is that a neurosurgeon is trained to perform surgery on the nervous system. A neurosurgeon can diagnose and treat neurological conditions with surgical and nonsurgical therapies.
Many times, a patient will first consult with a neurologist for an evaluation. If the neurologist thinks the patient could benefit from a more rigorous analysis and possibly intervention of a steroid injection or surgery, the neurologist will refer the patient to a neurosurgeon.
At Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics, neurologists and neurosurgeons work closely to diagnose and treat patients. The medical staff members at CNSO are award-winning and board-certified, and patients can have the confidence that whatever medical condition they have will be handled with consideration for their comfort and long-term well-being. The goal of the staff at CNSO is to expediently diagnose, treat, and get patients back to living their lives free of pain.
Need a Second Opinion?
If a patient has seen a neurologist or neurosurgeon but is looking for a second opinion, the specialists at Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics will provide one. CNSO neurosurgeons schedule hour-long appointments to provide enough time for consultation with the patient. The appointment allows the medical team to:
- Go over important medical information
- Assess and review previous medical testing and diagnosis
- Allow the patient to learn about all the options available to them to treat their condition
The CNSO team is highly trained and focuses on head, neck, and back pain, making them the leaders in neurology in northern New Jersey.
Trust the Team at Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics
The dedicated surgical and non-surgical team at the Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics understands the importance of brain and spine health. By working with leading board-certified neurosurgeons, orthopedic spine surgeons, interventional pain management physicians, physiatrists, rehabilitation specialists, and certified physical therapists, patients will receive comprehensive and coordinated treatment for all their neurological issues.
CNSO offers multiple convenient locations spanning across northern New Jersey, including Bergen, Passaic, Essex, Morris, and Hudson counties. Patients can contact CNSO today to learn more about effectively treating neurological pain.
