Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ

A brain and spine center, such as the ONE® Brain and Spine Center®, is established to specifically treat complex brain and spine conditions in one convenient location. ONE® Brain and Spine Center® offers the opportunity to be treated by highly trained specialists who can offer the latest and best treatments for brain tumors and spine conditions. We have specialists such as orthopaedic spine surgeon and neurosurgeon working together to facilitate the most effective treatment and successful outcomes possible.

Surgery is indicated when conservative therapy fails, the patient becomes dysfunctional and/or the patient is experiencing progressive neurological problems. Surgery is typically the last resort when it comes to treating brain and spinal conditions in the neck or back. If various non-surgical treatments have been attempted without improvement and the patient’s condition worsens over time, then minimally invasive brain or spine procedures may be recommended. The decision for surgery should be individualized to the patient, the patient’s symptoms and the patient’s level of function.

Your neurosurgeon may ask you to see an internist or a specialist in order to get a clearance for surgery. The intent is to reduce the risk of anesthesia by identifying medical conditions. For patients with a history of heart problems or who may be at increased risk of a heart attack, this may involve seeing a cardiologist and undergoing specific tests to assess the blood flow to the heart.

The field of minimally invasive brain and spine surgery continues to grow and many patients are benefiting from this innovative approach. Certain conditions may require an in-patient/open procedure. Your surgeon will review all procedure options with you.

You can visit our practice for most conditions that affect the brain, spine, joints, and bones. We find that many people who see treatment for a back or joint problem are effectively treated using non-surgical methods. In addition to minimally invasive brain and spine surgeries, we offer many less invasive treatment options like acupuncture and physical therapy. Patients who visit us may be experiencing conditions like:

• Arthritis
• Brain and skull based tumors
• Chronic back or neck pain
• Degenerative disc disease
• Facet joint syndrome
• Herniated disc
• Myelopathy
• Pituitary tumors
• Osteoarthritis
• Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
• Sciatica
• Scoliosis
• Spinal stenosis
• Spinal tumors
• Tethered Cord

Our philosophy at ONE® Brain and Spine Center® is to treat patients as conservatively as possible. Despite our use of acupuncture, physical therapy, and other conservative treatment options, some patients require surgical intervention. When possible, we use minimally invasive spine surgery to perform an operation with as little disruption to the body’s surrounding tissues and structures as possible. Not only do patients recover faster, but they also experience less blood loss, less post-operative pain and lowers risk for infection.

Minimally invasive spine surgery decreases time spent in the hospital and typically decreases recovery time. In some instances recovery time and hospital stays are cut in half! Many patients go home a few days after after surgery.

Our insurance coordinator will be able to assist you with your questions regarding your health insurance plan and coverage. At ONE® Brain and Spine Center®, we accept out-of-network benefits for many insurance companies. We will bill your insurance company directly for the facility portion of your surgery and accept the predetermined negotiated price as payment in full. Contact our office at (949) 383-4190 so we may be able to answer any questions you may have regarding insurance coverage.

The Endoscopic Endonasal Approach (EEA) is a minimally invasive surgical approach to the skull base to remove skull base brain tumors and lesions through the nose. EEA is performed using a narrow telescope. called an endoscope, through a small area at the base of the skull that allows direct access to the tumor, without manipulating or damaging critical structures such as the brain and surrounding tissues.

Surgery times for endoscopic approach to brain surgery, or minimally invasive brain surgery, vary depending of the complexity of each case. For routine cases, surgery often takes two hours from the time anesthesia is administered. More complex cases may take from four to six hours.

The field of minimally invasive spine surgery continues to grow and many surgeries are performed on an outpatient basis. Certain conditions may require an in-patient/open procedure. Your surgeon will review all procedure options with you.

You can visit our practice for most conditions that affect the brain, spine, joints, and bones. We find that many people who see treatment for a back or joint problem are effectively treated using non-surgical methods. In addition to minimally invasive brain and spine surgeries, we offer many less invasive treatment options like acupuncture and physical therapy. Patients who visit us may be experiencing conditions like:

• Arthritis
• Brain and skull based tumors
• Chronic back or neck pain
• Degenerative disc disease
• Facet joint syndrome
• Herniated disc
• Myelopathy
• Pituitary tumors
• Osteoarthritis
• Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
• Sciatica
• Scoliosis
• Spinal stenosis
• Spinal tumors
• Tethered Cord

With minimally invasive brain surgery, post-operative recovery is much less painful and much less uncomfortable than traditional approaches. Most patients don’t need strong medication to control pain, and are discharged on mild pain relievers. The most common complaint is the post-operative nasal packings, which removed within one week after the surgery.

Most of our patients are discharged after spending two nights in the hospital. However, there are patients who may require longer hospital stay for further observation after surgery.

A lateral intrabody fusion is a minimally invasive way of performing a spinal fusion. Unlike traditional operations, in which surgeons must make incisions in the back or abdomen, lateral intrabody fusions are performed through very small incisions in a patient’s side. This allows the physician carry out the procedure with minimal disruption to surrounding organs and tissues as possible.

As with any surgery, it is not unusual to feel worse than you did prior to surgery. This can be depressing if you are not prepared for it. Brain surgery is a lot for your body to cope with. it is not uncommon to have episodes of dizzy spells or to get confused about where you are and what is happening to you. It is important to understand that these are part of the recovery period. The swelling in the brain after the operation means it will be a while before you feel the benefit from having had a tumour removed. Your brain surgeon will give you some idea of what to expect in the way of recovery. Post-surgery symptoms will usually lessen and disappear as you recover.

Depending o nthe position of the tumor and affected area of the brain, some patients have long term problems with speech or with weakness of an arm or leg. This can take a long time to recover from. Help from physiotherapists, speech and language therapists and other rehabilitation specialists, will help in your rehabilitation and recovery. SOme patients may never be able to go back to the same level of fitness as before brain surgery, but your condition can and will improve and your confidence will return as you learn to cope with the changes resulting from the tumour and brain surgery. Your confidence will increase as you learn to cope with the changes that the tumour and surgery have caused. There is information about recovering after a brain tumour in the living with a brain tumour section.

ONE® Brain and Spine Center® is a world-class practice with multi-disciplinary team of renowned and award-winning brain surgeon, orthopaedic spine surgeon and neurosurgeon who have unparalleled experience and precision in today’s innovative minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) for the treatment of spine conditions. Furthermore, at ONE® Brain and Spine Center®, we treat every patient with respect and dignity. We understand how painful and debilitating spine conditions can impact your daily living. It is goal to provide you with long-lasting pain relief with minimal disruption to your life.

Minimally invasive spine surgery is found to be more effective than traditional open surgical procedures. With minimally invasive approach, general anesthesia is usually unnecessary, thereby avoiding the risks by using local or sedative anesthesia. With minimally invasive approach, only a small incision is made, so there is less bleeding. It also has a comparatively lower rate of complications than that of traditional open surgery approaches.

The field of minimally invasive spine surgery continues to grow and many surgeries are performed on an outpatient basis. Certain conditions may require an in-patient/open procedure. Your surgeon will review all procedure options with you.

A lateral intrabody fusion is a minimally invasive way of performing a spinal fusion. Unlike traditional operations, in which surgeons must make incisions in the back or abdomen, lateral intrabody fusions are performed through very small incisions in a patient’s side. This allows the physician carry out the procedure with minimal disruption to surrounding organs and tissues as possible.

Joint injections are treatments used to reduce painful inflammation in the joints caused by conditions like arthritis and tendinitis. The injection – usually a steroid – may be performed in-office or at an outpatient surgical center depending on the area being treated. Some injections, such as sacroiliac joint injections, may be used to temporarily block nerve pain and diagnose the source of issues like chronic low back pain.

Many bone fractures are minor and heal on their own with cast immobilization. But some fractures require surgical intervention to stabilize the bones and facilitate recovery. In cases where surgery is necessary, the bones are repositioned to their normal alignment and held together using special rods, screw, and plates.