A neurosurgeon is a medical specialist who treats diseases and conditions affecting the nervous system, which includes the brain, spine, spinal cord, and the peripheral nerves.
Today, most neurosurgeons perform more spine than brain surgeries. Some neurosurgeons specialize in specific types of spinal problems, such as cervical (neck) and lumbar (low back) disorders, spinal cord injury, or by age group. Pediatric neurosurgeons treat infants and children, while other neurosurgeons specialize in disorders affecting adults.
Before having spine surgery to address your back pain or neck pain, you should make sure you understand your treatment options—and that includes understanding your surgeon.