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Your Care

Your spine is delicate, and we will consider conservative, nonsurgical treatment plans that might help alleviate your problem before looking at surgical options.

An evaluation may begin with one of our neurosurgical physician assistants or nurse practitioners. The visit will include a medical history and physical. When appropriate, radiological studies such as CT, X-ray, myelograms, MRI and angiograms may be ordered for additional evaluation.

After the initial evaluation a conservative treatment plan may be ordered by our physiatrists. This could include the physician performing injections or prescribing physical therapies that focus on the joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and nerves.

Your treatment plan may involve surgery. Our neurosurgeons treat any problems from brain aneurysms to back issues.

A neurosurgeon specializes in procedures to treat congenital abnormalities, degenerative spinal conditions, trauma, tumors, stroke, vascular abnormalities of the brain or spine, and spinal infections.

With this collaborative treatment planning, our patients receive personalized care to achieve the optimal benefits for a healthier life.


Inpatient care

Huntsville Hospital has one of three state designated Level 1 Trauma Centers with the capabilities to treat the most severe trauma cases. Our neurosurgeons are part of the trauma team and are always available 24/7.

Our neurosurgery capabilities include the region’s only program that is 24/7 with dedicated operating suites for neurosurgery. The 17-bed Neuro Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is among the largest in the state specializing in the care of patients with traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries, as well as those recovering from brain or spine surgery. Registered nurses in the NICU are required to complete special training, including a course in trauma nursing and critical care taught by Huntsville Hospital trauma surgeons. Nurses also receive in-depth instruction on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale – a widely used clinical assessment tool for evaluating the acuity of stroke patients and determining the appropriate treatment.

The hospital’s Neuro Spine/Neurosurgery Unit cares for patients who have improved enough to leave the NICU. This 21-bed unit treats patients recovering from brain and spinal cord surgery, hemorrhagic stroke, and traumatic brain and spinal injuries. The neurosurgeons circulate through this unit daily to check on patients and direct their treatment.