Conditions and services

Arthritis is a condition that causes swelling, pain, or stiffness in the joints. The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and gout. Symptoms of arthritis include sore, stiff, or swollen joints in your knees, hips, hands or shoulders. Your care team can connect you with a specialist who listens to you and your concerns and creates a personalized care plan. Treatment depends on the type of arthritis you have, but may include medication, physical therapy, or, in some cases, surgery. With the right care, many people with arthritis keep moving and enjoy an active life.

There are many causes for back and neck pain. Our team of specialists have expertise in advanced diagnostics to help find the cause of your pain. Your specialist works with you to create a care plan that's right for you. Treatment options may include medication, therapies or surgery.

An aneurysm occurs when there is swelling in a blood vessel that causes it to bulge. The bulging can rupture, which is known as a hemorrhage. There are many different treatment options for a brain aneurysm, including surgery. We have a multidisciplinary team that collaborates to provide comprehensive care. We also support you and your family throughout your treatment and recovery.

A brain bleed occurs when there is bleeding in the skull. There are several types of brain bleeds. Your neurosurgeon and care team quickly assess your brain bleed to determine the type and severity. Then, we deliver advanced care that stops the bleeding and reduces the effects of the brain bleed.

Brain tumors can be cancerous or noncancerous. Our neurosurgeons have the expertise to diagnose and surgically remove both cancerous and noncancerous tumors on the brain and spine. Depending on the type and size of your tumor, your care plan may include radiation therapy, surgery or both. Our experienced multidisciplinary care team helps you and your family understand the effects of the tumor and provides support throughout your treatment and recovery.

We specialize in treating many types of cerebral vascular disease, including stroke and brain aneurysm. We provide advanced surgical care, including minimally invasive treatment options, and connect you with rehabilitation to help you recover, if needed.

Disc degeneration is a result of the aging process and the everyday wear and tear we place on our spines. Over time, these stresses accumulate and symptoms may begin to develop. Chronic lower back pain that radiates to the hips, buttocks and thighs are common symptoms. In your neck, you may feel pain that extends to your head, shoulders, arms and hands. Our spine specialists provide advanced diagnostic testing and treatment options to help relieve pain, improve mobility, and support your quality of life.

Dementia is a general term for problems with memory loss, forgetting words, or thinking clearly, also known as cognitive abilities. These changes can interfere and affect your daily activities. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia. Disorders grouped under the general term “dementia” are caused by changes inside the brain. Dementia can also affect how you feel, behave and connect with the people around you. But with the right care and support, many people continue to enjoy meaningful, active lives.

Our neurosurgeons provide advanced monitoring and treatment for dural arteriovenous fistula (dAVF). If surgery is needed, we provide minimally invasive treatment options.

A headache is pain or discomfort in the head or neck. It’s a very common condition that can range from mild to severe and may come and go. Migraines are a specific type of headache that can cause intense, throbbing pain and may be accompanied by nausea, vision changes, or sensitivity to light, sound, or certain smells. While many headaches improve with rest, hydration, or over-the-counter pain relievers, ongoing or severe headaches, including migraines, may need medical care. Our neurologists can help identify the cause of your headaches and recommend advanced treatments to help relieve pain and prevent future headaches.

A herniated disc occurs when the soft inner core of a disc is pushed out into the spinal canal. The herniated disc can push on spinal nerves, often causing pain. Herniated discs can occur in the neck (cervical spine), middle back (thoracic spine) or lower back (lumbar spine). These are usually caused by age-related degeneration, trauma injury, heavy lifting or sudden strain.

Our team of experienced spine specialists provides advanced diagnostic and treatment options that may include monitoring, medications or surgery.

Intracranial stenosis is caused by the narrowing of an artery in the brain. When left untreated, intracranial stenosis can lead to a stroke. Our neurosurgeons treat intracranial stenosis using a minimally invasive procedure called stenting.

Kyphosis is a spine condition that causes the upper back to curve forward more than normal, sometimes called a hunchback. It can lead to symptoms such as rounded shoulders, back discomfort, stiffness, and muscle fatigue. In severe cases, the condition may also affect breathing or mobility. Treatment varies depending on the cause and severity. Mild forms may improve with posture exercises, physical therapy, or a back brace, while more advanced cases might need pain management or surgery. Our neurosurgeons provide advanced surgical options for treating kyphosis.

Meningioma is the most common type of brain tumor. Our neurosurgeons provide advanced diagnostics and treatment. Options for treatment include radiation therapy, surgery, and in some cases, chemotherapy.

Movement disorders may be influenced by genetics or caused by infections, metabolic disorders, stroke and vascular diseases, medicines or toxins, as well as by damage to the brain, spinal cord or peripheral nerves. Our neurologists provide care for a range of conditions such as tremors, Tourette syndrome, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, dystonia and ataxia.

Nerve and muscle disorders, also called neuromuscular diseases, are conditions that affect the way your nerves and muscles work together. Symptoms often include muscle weakness, tingling or numbness in limbs, and feeling tired after light activity. There are many types of nerve and muscle disorders: the most common are muscular dystrophy, ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), and peripheral neuropathy. Treatment options range from medication, physical or occupational therapy, and special treatments like immune therapy.

Neurofibromatosis is a disorder that causes tumors to grow in the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system. There are three main types of neurofibromatosis: Type I, Type II and Type III. Treatment options vary based on the type and severity of neurofibromatosis. The most common treatment options include monitoring, medication, and in some cases, surgery.

Neuropathy is a condition that happens when the nerves outside your brain and spinal cord (called peripheral nerves) are damaged. Symptoms often include muscle weakness, tingling or numbness in hands or feet, and sharp pain. Neuropathy can be caused by diabetes, vitamin deficiency, injuries and infections, or as a side effect of cancer treatments. Our neurologists and care teams use advanced testing to identify the cause of your neuropathy and create a personalized treatment plan. Care may include managing underlying conditions, medication therapy, physical therapy, and providing guidance to protect areas with reduced sensation. Our goal is to help relieve pain, improve function and lower your risk of future complications.

A pituitary tumor is an abnormal growth of cells in the pituitary gland. Most pituitary tumors are noncancerous (benign). Treatments may include a combination of medication, surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Your multidisciplinary care team, which may include a neurologist and neurosurgeon, creates a personalized care plan.

Scoliosis is a spine disorder that causes your spine to curve sideways. In more severe cases, surgery may be recommended to help straighten the spine. Our neurosurgeons specialize in advanced spine surgery for scoliosis.

Seizure disorders and epilepsy occur when neurons in the brain send the wrong signal and cause seizures. There are many types of seizures and epilepsy. Treatment options may include diet and lifestyle changes, medication, epilepsy surgery or neurostimulation devices.

Spinal stenosis is a condition where the spinal canal becomes narrowed, putting pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. Spinal stenosis can occur in the neck (cervical spine), middle back (thoracic spine), or lower back (lumbar spine). Our neurosurgeons work with you to create a care plan that’s right for you based on the type and severity of your spinal stenosis.

A spinal deformity is an abnormal alignment or curvature of the spine. Common types of deformities are scoliosis, kyphosis (also known as “hunchback”), and lordosis (inward curve of the lower back). There are a range of treatment options for spinal deformities, from physical therapy, casting or bracing to surgery, depending on how severe the curve is. Our team provides specialized surgical treatment for complex spinal deformities.

Our neurosurgeons have the expertise to diagnose and surgically remove both cancerous and noncancerous tumors of the brain and spine. Our experienced multidisciplinary care team helps you and your family understand the effects of the tumor and provides support throughout your treatment and recovery.

Spondylolysis is the result of a crack in the bony ring of the spinal column. If there is a crack on both sides, your spine may slip forward, causing spondylolisthesis. The condition may be painless but could possibly cause low back pain. Spondylolisthesis can also occur due to degeneration or arthritis and loss of disc height. This often leads to stenosis, and surgery (a spinal fusion) is often required to restore alignment and decompress the nerves.

Our neurologists and neurosurgeons specialize in treating stroke and transient ischemic attacks (TIA). In an emergency, care teams quickly work together to help improve blood flow to the brain, stop a brain bleed and help prevent future strokes. We also provide rehabilitation therapy to help you or your loved one recover from a stroke. Several Ascension Seton hospitals across Central Texas have earned the designation Primary Stroke Center, Primary Plus Stroke Center or Comprehensive Stroke Center. We use the latest technology and a team of stroke specialists to deliver advanced stroke care for even the most complex cases. This highly specialized stroke care helps support better outcomes at a time when you need them most.

Traumatic brain and spine injuries can range from minor to life-threatening. Treatment depends on the type and severity of the injury. Our care teams provide a full range of treatments, including advanced surgical options and spinal cord stimulation. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) uses a device that sends electrical impulses to the spinal cord to help manage pain, and placement of the device is done through surgery. Our neurologists, neurosurgeons and rehabilitation specialists work together to support recovery and improve quality of life after a traumatic brain or spine injury.