WISCONSIN
NEUROSURGERYS.C.
DR. KIMBALL S. FUIKS

Patient Education

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At Wisconsin Neurosurgery, it is important that our patients feel well-informed regarding their neurological health. Our nurse specialist will provide every new patient with spinal education by teaching with models and brochures. This ensures that when the patient is seen by the physician, they have a better understanding of the diagnosis. If a patient is scheduled for surgery, the nurse specialist will also provide pre-operative and post-operative education so that that patient has a clear understanding of what will take place; from the time they enter the hospital, to the time they are discharged, and what to expect in the recovery period. While patients of Wisconsin Neurosurgery do receive spinal education, it is important to understand a few of the most common terms associated with neurology, including the term used to describe the field itself:

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Neurology

The medical specialty concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the brain, the spinal cord, and the nerves

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Neurosurgery

Constitutes a surgical specialty that provides care for adult patients in the treatment of diseases that modify the function or activity of the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nervous system as well as the supporting structures of these systems (cranial coverings, skull and skull base, and spinal column) and their blood supply. Treatment involves both non-operative management (prevention, diagnosis, including image interpretation) and operative management with its associated image use and interpretation. Operative treatment includes functional and restorative surgery, stereotactic Radiosurgery, conventional cranial surgery and spinal fusion, including its instrumentation. 

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Neurosurgeon

Specialist who is trained in surgery of the nervous system, and can perform surgery on the brain, spinal cord, or other parts of the nervous system. This specialist is sometimes called a brain surgeon. The neurosurgeon also works with patients to diagnose, evaluate, and treat diseases or disorders of the nervous system, and aids in critical care of patients before, during and after surgery.

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Brain Tumor

A mass of unnecessary and abnormal cells growing in the brain; a benign or malignant growth in the brain. Primary brain tumors arise in brain tissue. Secondary brain tumors are cancers that have spread to the brain tissue (metastasized) from elsewhere in the body. Brain tumors can and do occur at any age.

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Spinal Stenosis

Narrowing of the spaces in the spine, resulting in compression of the nerve roots or spinal cord by bony spurs or soft tissues, such as disks, in the spinal canal. This occurs most often in the lumbar spine (in the low back) but also occurs in the cervical spine (in the neck) and less often in the thoracic spine (in the upper back).