Spinal Neurosurgery at Toronto General Hospital

Spinal Neurosurgery provides specialized surgical evaluation and treatment for selected conditions affecting the spine, spinal cord and nerves. Care may include neurological assessment, advanced spinal imaging, surgical planning and postoperative management when conservative treatment is insufficient or neurological problems require surgical intervention.

Price

Price on Request

Why Price on Request?

The cost of spinal neurosurgery varies according to the type and severity of the spinal condition, complexity of surgery, diagnostic imaging, anesthesia, hospitalization, surgical materials, postoperative monitoring and rehabilitation requirements. A personalized cost estimate can be provided after specialist assessment.

Complete Description

What Is Spinal Neurosurgery?

Spinal Neurosurgery is a specialized surgical field focused on selected conditions affecting the spinal cord, nerves and structures of the spine.

Surgical assessment may be considered when a condition causes:

• Spinal cord compression

• Nerve compression

• Neurological symptoms

• Significant pain

• Weakness or numbness

• Walking difficulties

• Structural instability

• Other problems requiring specialized surgical care

The appropriate treatment depends on the diagnosis and individual clinical findings.

Who May Need Spinal Neurosurgery?

Patients may be referred for spinal neurosurgical assessment when they have conditions such as:

• Spinal cord compression

• Nerve compression

• Spinal tumors

• Certain degenerative spinal conditions

• Spinal stenosis

• Herniated discs with neurological complications

• Spinal deformities

• Spinal instability

• Certain traumatic spinal conditions

Not every spinal condition requires surgery. Specialist assessment is necessary.

Spinal Neurosurgical Evaluation

Before surgery is considered, specialists may review:

• Medical history

• Neurological symptoms

• Physical examination

• Previous treatments

• MRI or CT imaging

• Laboratory results

• Medication history

• Previous spinal procedures

• Other medical conditions

This assessment helps determine whether surgical treatment may be appropriate.

Neurological Examination

A neurological examination may assess:

• Muscle strength

• Reflexes

• Sensation

• Coordination

• Walking ability

• Balance

• Muscle tone

• Nerve function

The examination helps identify whether the spinal condition is affecting the spinal cord or nerves.

Spinal MRI and Diagnostic Imaging

Imaging plays an important role in spinal neurosurgical planning.

Depending on the condition, investigations may include:

• MRI of the spine

• CT scan

• X-rays

• CT myelography

• Other specialized spinal imaging

Imaging helps identify compression, tumors, structural abnormalities and other spinal problems.

Spinal Cord Compression

Compression of the spinal cord can cause neurological symptoms and may require urgent or specialized assessment.

Possible symptoms include:

• Weakness

• Numbness

• Balance difficulties

• Walking problems

• Changes in coordination

• Changes in bladder or bowel function

The urgency of treatment depends on the cause and severity of spinal cord compression.

Nerve Compression

Nerve compression can cause symptoms such as:

• Radiating pain

• Numbness

• Tingling

• Weakness

• Changes in sensation

When symptoms are severe, persistent or associated with neurological impairment, surgical assessment may be considered.

Spinal Tumor Surgery

Selected spinal tumors may require neurosurgical evaluation.

Treatment planning may consider:

• Tumor location

• Tumor size

• Spinal cord involvement

• Nerve involvement

• Imaging findings

• Pathology

• Previous treatment

Surgery may be used to remove or biopsy a tumor or relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves when clinically appropriate.

Spinal Stenosis Assessment

Spinal stenosis involves narrowing of spaces within the spine that can potentially compress nerves or the spinal cord.

Assessment may consider:

• Pain

• Numbness

• Weakness

• Walking limitations

• Balance difficulties

• Imaging findings

Surgery may be considered in selected patients depending on symptoms and neurological findings.

Herniated Disc With Neurological Symptoms

A herniated disc can sometimes compress a spinal nerve.

Specialist assessment may be considered when symptoms include:

• Persistent nerve pain

• Numbness

• Weakness

• Functional limitations

• Other neurological symptoms

Treatment decisions depend on the severity and duration of symptoms and response to previous treatment.

Spinal Deformity and Structural Conditions

Certain spinal deformities or structural abnormalities may require specialized surgical assessment.

Evaluation may include:

• Spinal imaging

• Neurological examination

• Assessment of spinal alignment

• Functional assessment

• Review of previous treatments

The appropriate surgical approach depends on the individual condition.

Complex Spinal Surgery Planning

Complex spinal conditions may require coordinated evaluation by multiple specialists.

Depending on the patient's needs, care may involve:

• Neurosurgeons

• Neurologists

• Orthopedic spine specialists

• Neuroradiologists

• Pain specialists

• Rehabilitation professionals

• Other healthcare specialists

Multidisciplinary assessment helps develop an individualized treatment plan.

Preoperative Assessment

Before spinal neurosurgery, patients may undergo:

• Neurological examination

• Medical assessment

• MRI or CT imaging

• Laboratory testing

• Medication review

• Anesthesia assessment

• Cardiovascular evaluation when required

• Review of previous spinal procedures

The exact preparation depends on the planned operation.

Spinal Neurosurgical Treatment Planning

The surgical team may consider:

• Diagnosis

• Location of spinal disease

• Severity of neurological symptoms

• Imaging findings

• Previous treatment

• Patient's overall health

• Potential benefits and risks

• Expected recovery

The final treatment plan is individualized for each patient.

Postoperative Spinal Neurosurgery Care

Following surgery, patients may require monitoring and rehabilitation.

Postoperative care may include:

• Neurological monitoring

• Pain management

• Wound care

• Medication management

• Mobility assessment

• Follow-up imaging when required

• Physiotherapy

• Rehabilitation

• Specialist follow-up

Recovery depends on the type of procedure and the patient's clinical condition.

Spinal Neurosurgery Second Opinion

Patients may seek a spinal neurosurgery second opinion regarding:

• Whether surgery is necessary

• Proposed spinal procedure

• MRI or CT findings

• Nerve or spinal cord compression

• Alternative treatment options

• Complex spinal conditions

• Previous surgical recommendations

Relevant medical records and imaging can be reviewed during specialist assessment.

International Patient Spinal Neurosurgery

International patients seeking spinal neurosurgical assessment in Canada should provide relevant documentation whenever available.

Useful records may include:

• MRI or CT reports

• Imaging files

• Neurology reports

• Neurosurgical reports

• Previous surgical records

• Laboratory results

• Medication list

• Physiotherapy records

• Previous treatment reports

Complete records can help specialists evaluate the spinal condition and determine appropriate next steps.

Benefits of Specialized Spinal Neurosurgery

Specialized spinal neurosurgical care may help selected patients:

• Receive expert spinal assessment

• Evaluate spinal cord and nerve compression

• Review advanced spinal imaging

• Determine whether surgery is appropriate

• Develop an individualized surgical plan

• Obtain a spinal surgery second opinion

• Coordinate complex spinal care

• Receive postoperative monitoring

• Access rehabilitation when required

Why Choose Toronto General Hospital for Spinal Neurosurgery?

Toronto General Hospital (TGH) is part of University Health Network (UHN) and provides specialized medical and complex care.

Patients requiring spinal neurosurgical assessment may be evaluated according to their diagnosis, neurological condition and clinical requirements through the relevant UHN programs and specialists.

The availability of a specific spinal procedure depends on the patient's medical needs and specialist assessment.

Cost & Price on Request

Price: Price on Request

The total cost depends on the spinal condition and complexity of the required treatment.

Potential costs may include:

• Neurosurgical consultation

• Neurological examination

• MRI or CT imaging

• Laboratory testing

• Spinal surgery

• Anesthesia

• Hospitalization

• Surgical materials

• Postoperative monitoring

• Physiotherapy

• Rehabilitation

• Follow-up consultations

A personalized cost estimate can be requested following specialist assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What conditions can spinal neurosurgery treat?

Spinal neurosurgery may be considered for selected conditions involving the spinal cord, nerves and spine, including spinal cord compression, nerve compression, spinal tumors and certain complex structural conditions.

2. Does every slipped or herniated disc require surgery?

No. Many disc-related conditions can be managed without surgery. Surgical assessment may be considered when symptoms persist, neurological problems develop or other clinical factors indicate a potential need for surgery.

3. What tests are usually required before spinal neurosurgery?

Depending on the condition, assessment may include neurological examination, MRI, CT imaging, X-rays and laboratory investigations.

4. Can I get a spinal surgery second opinion in Canada?

Yes. Patients may seek specialist review of their spinal diagnosis, imaging and proposed treatment, subject to applicable hospital requirements.

5. Can international patients request spinal neurosurgery assessment?

International patients may request assessment subject to applicable hospital processes, medical requirements, eligibility and program availability.

Product Details

Product Name: Spinal Neurosurgery

Hospital: Toronto General Hospital

Brand: Toronto General Hospital

Country: Canada

Specialty: Neurology & Neurosurgery

Service Type: Spinal Neurosurgery

Customer-Facing Price: Price on Request

International Patients: Subject to applicable eligibility and program requirements

Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada