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Kootenai Clinic Neurosurgery and Spine is the specialty focused on the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of disorders that affect the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and cerebrovascular system.

Our experienced care team provides comprehensive evaluation and treatment for patients with spine-and-nervous-system related injuries and diseases. Depending on your condition, we help facilitate any necessary therapies, injections and/or minimally invasive procedures to shorten recovery times and improve outcomes.

Procedures

Cervical – Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion with Instrumentation:

An Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACD&F) is a surgical procedure performed to remove a herniated or degenerative disc in the cervical (neck) spine. The surgeon approaches the spine from the front, through the throat area. After the disc is removed, the vertebrae above and below the disc space are fused together using a bone graft and a metal plate.

Anterior & Posterior Lumbar Decompression and Fusion with Instrumentation:

 A posterior lumbar laminectomy with fusion is done to correct spinal stenosis causing nerve root compression and to stabilize spinal instability, usually secondary to degenerative arthritis in the low back. First the lumbar decompressive laminectomy is performed to relieve pressure on the spinal cord and/or spinal nerves. After this a spinal fusion is done to stabilize the spine using both bone taken from the patient and from the bone bank and metal implants using rods, hooks, wires, plates, and screws.

Lumbar Hemilaminotomy and Microdiscectomy:

A lumbar hemilaminectomy and microdiscectomy is a microsurgical procedure performed to remove a herniated and/or degenerative disc in the lumbar spine. The surgeon approaches the spine from the back, drilling a small opening in the spinal bones to remove the herniated disc using an operating microscope.

Stereotactic Craniotomy for Tumor Resection:

Craniotomy is a fundamental surgical technique used to remove tumors or vascular abnormalities. It involves making an incision in the patient¡¯s scalp and then making an opening through the patient¡¯s skull to access the brain. This is done using highly specialized drills. The opening allows access to the intracranial cavity where the brain is located. Once the access has been achieved the tumor may be resected. Tumor resection is usually guided using computer aided stereotactic techniques. Prior to surgery reference markers (known as fiducials) are placed on the patient¡¯s head the morning of the surgery. The patient then undergoes an MRI or CT scan. All the data from this scan is then loaded into the intraoperative stereotactic computer ¡°virtually¡± which allows visualization of the brain in three planes and also in a three dimensional view. Using these images the surgeon can construct a pre-operative surgical plan to approach and more safely remove the tumor. The stereotactic computer system also is used by the surgeon intraoperatively to localize the edges of the tumor during the procedure to maximize tumor resection and minimize injury to the surrounding normal brain. These stereotactic techniques make tumor surgery more accurate, maximize the removal of the tumor, and minimize surgical complications.

Robotic Guided Spinal Surgery (Using the Globus Excelcius Robot)

Improved accuracy of instrumentation placement for degenerative spine disorders, spinal trauma and spinal tumors.

Stereotactic Radiosurgery

For treatment of brain tumors, trigeminal neuralgia, and movement disorders. Deep Brain Stimulation is available for essential tremor and Parkinson¡¯s disease.

Lumbar Decompressive Laminectomy:

A lumbar decompressive laminectomy is used to decompress nerve roots and/or the lower portion of the spinal cord to relieve low back pain, lower extremity pain, and to improve lower extremity strength and coordination. An incision is made in the lower back to allow access to the spinal canal and the nerves that go to the lower extremities and the nerves that control urination and bowel movements. In this surgery the bone on the back of the spinal canal is completely removed (complete laminectomy) or partially on one side of the spine (hemilaminectomy) to decompress the spinal canal and the nerve roots at that level.

Insurance 

We accept most major insurance companies and Medicare. However, it is important you know your insurance carrier when scheduling your appointment. This is necessary to help schedule you with a physician who is a provider of your insurance network to maximize your benefits.

We will file all insurance claims for you. Please bring your insurance cards to your visit. We will also file Idaho workers¡¯ compensation claims with authorized case number and billing address information. Co-payments are due at the time of service. We accept cash, checks, and all major credit cards. If you are unable to make the payment at the time of your visit, please contact us to arrange other payment options.

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New Patient Paperwork

If you are a new patient, please arrive 30 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time. This will allow enough time to complete the required paperwork prior to your scheduled appointment time. To help make the process faster, fill out your new patient paperwork before your appointment and bring it with you. If you fill out your paperwork before, feel free to arrive five minutes prior to your appointment.

Patient Downloads

• Patient Information Form