Neurosurgery

Neurosurgeons at Howell Allen Clinic with Ascension Saint Thomas deliver advanced care for complex brain, spine and nerve conditions, providing hope and healing with clinical expertise.

Two surgeons perform a procedure in an operating room.

Neurosurgery care in Tennessee

Neurosurgeons at Howell Allen Clinic with Ascension Saint Thomas deliver advanced care for complex brain, spine and nerve conditions, providing hope and healing with clinical expertise.

Advanced brain and spine surgery, close to home

When it comes to your brain and spine, getting the right care at the right time is critical. If surgery is part of your care plan, neurosurgeons at Howell Allen Clinic with Ascension Saint Thomas are here for you.

Your neurosurgeon starts by listening to understand your symptoms and health history. We use advanced imaging and neurologic testing to identify the cause of your condition and guide your care.

Your care options may include nonsurgical treatments, minimally invasive procedures and complex neurosurgery.

Symptoms of brain and spine conditions

You may want to talk to a neurosurgeon if you experience:

Back or neck pain that doesn't improve
Numbness or tingling in your arms or legs
Weakness or difficulty with movement
Persistent headaches

Brain, spine and nerve conditions we treat

Neurosurgeons at Howell Allen Clinic with Ascension Saint Thomas diagnose and treat conditions affecting the brain, spine and peripheral nerves.

Cauda equina syndrome
Herniated disc
Low back pain
Lumbar spinal stenosis
Osteoarthritis
Vertebral (compression) fracture
Sacroiliac dysfunction
Sciatica and lumbar radiculopathy
Spinal tumors

Spinal arteriovenous malformations (AVM)
Herniated disc
Cervical myelopathy
Cervical radiculopathy
Vertebral fracture
Neck pain
Osteoarthritis
Spinal cord injury (including central cord syndrome)
Spinal infections
Spinal pain
Spinal tumor

Vascular brain conditions

Arteriovenous malformation (AVM)
Cavernous malformation
Cerebral aneurysm

Intracranial bleeding

Epidural hemorrhage
Intracerebral hemorrhage
Subarachnoid hemorrhage
Subdural hemorrhage

Brain tumors

Acoustic neuroma (vestibular schwannoma)
Astrocytoma
Brain metastasis
Craniopharyngioma
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM)
Meningioma
Neurofibroma
Oligodendroglioma
Pituitary adenoma

Other brain conditions

Aqueductal stenosis
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks
Chiari malformation
Normal pressure hydrocephalus
Pseudotumor cerebri
Skull fractures

Neurosurgery treatment options

Surgery is not always the first treatment option. Whenever possible, your care plan may include nonsurgical treatments such as injections, physical therapy and other therapies (like acupuncture) to help reduce pain, numbness and weakness.

When surgery is recommended, our neurosurgeons use advanced image-guided technology and minimally invasive techniques whenever possible.

Lumbar microdiscectomy
Lumbar fusion
Sacroiliac fusion

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF)
Anterior lumbar fusion
Cervical artificial discs
Cervical laminoplasty
Coccygectomy
Interspinous space (coflex)
Lumbar laminectomy
Posterior cervical fusions
Posterior cervical laminectomy
Posterior lumbar fusion

Neurosurgeons also specialize in cervical spine conditions affecting your neck. We use diagnostic imaging and functional neurological tests to detect the cause of your pain, weakness or numbness.

Advanced neurosurgical procedures

Neurosurgeons at the Howell Allen Clinic with Ascension Saint Thomas provide care for conditions affecting the brain, including vascular malformations, intracranial bleeds and tumors. You’ll have access to a full network of neurosurgical services — from advanced imaging and neurologic evaluation to surgery and neurorehabilitation.

Surgery is rarely the first option. But if it is recommended as part of your care, your neurosurgeon develops a highly specialized treatment plan, customized for you. Whenever possible, we use minimally invasive surgery and robotic-assisted technology to help shorten your recovery.

Brain tumor surgery
Carotid angioplasty and stenting
Chiari decompression
Corrective spine surgery for herniated disc, spinal stenosis and more
Epilepsy surgery
Nerve decompression for migraines
Spinal tap to help detect central nervous system conditions

Neurosurgery locations at Ascension Saint Thomas

Insurance coverage for brain, spine and nerve procedures

Talk with your doctor about insurance coverage options for having outpatient surgery, such as spine surgery. Brain and spine surgery may be covered by various insurance plans, as well as Medicare. The first step is to be evaluated by a neurosurgeon.