Frequently Asked Questions

​A neurosurgeon specializes in structural, mechanical, and surgical disorders of the central and peripheral nervous systems. Common conditions include:

• ​Spine: Lumbar and cervical disc herniation (slip disc), spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and degenerative spine disease.
• ​Brain: Brain tumors (benign and malignant), vascular lesions (aneurysms, AVMs), traumatic brain injuries, and hydrocephalus.
• ​Nerves: Peripheral nerve compression (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome) and trigeminal neuralgia.

​No. The vast majority of brain and spine conditions are managed without surgery. Surgery is considered a last resort or indicated when there is a clear structural abnormality causing severe nerve compression, progressive neurological deficit, or life-threatening pathology. Conservative treatments—including tailored medication, targeted physiotherapy, lifestyle modification, and image-guided pain interventions—are always explored first whenever clinically appropriate.

Certain symptoms may indicate the need for specialist evaluation, including:

• Persistent, severe, or worsening headaches
• Headaches associated with nausea, vomiting, or other neurological symptoms
• Pain, tingling, numbness, or electric-shock-like sensations in the arms or legs
• Muscle weakness, clumsiness, or frequently dropping objects
• Difficulty walking, loss of balance, or frequent falls
• Seizures or sudden changes in vision
• Unexplained changes in memory, concentration, or cognition
• Loss of bowel or bladder control

Sudden or rapidly worsening neurological symptoms require urgent medical evaluation.

Recovery varies depending on the type of surgery, the underlying condition, the procedure's complexity, and the patient's overall health. After some minimally invasive spine procedures, patients may be able to walk within hours and gradually return to light activities within a few weeks. More extensive spine or brain surgeries may require several weeks to months for recovery. Complex tumor, trauma, or reconstructive procedures may require longer rehabilitation and regular follow-up. Your neurosurgeon will provide an individualized recovery plan based on your procedure.

Dr. Palak Jaiswal specializes in a range of neurosurgical procedures, including:

• Spine surgery: Endoscopic spine surgery, microdiscectomy, minimally invasive decompression, and spinal stabilization
• Brain surgery: Keyhole brain surgery, neuroendoscopic procedures, brain tumor surgery, and selected trauma procedures
• Hydrocephalus management: Surgical procedures for appropriate cases of hydrocephalus
• Peripheral nerve surgery: Microsurgical decompression for selected nerve compression conditions

The recommended procedure depends on the patient's diagnosis, symptoms, imaging findings, and overall health.

 

Yes. Dr. Palak Jaiswal offers minimally invasive and endoscopic neurosurgical techniques where clinically appropriate. These procedures use smaller surgical approaches and specialized visualization techniques to minimize disruption to surrounding tissues. Depending on the procedure and patient, potential benefits may include less post-operative discomfort, shorter hospital stays, and a faster return to routine activities.

Yes. Patients can consult Dr. Palak Jaiswal for a second opinion before undergoing brain or spine surgery. The consultation includes a review of the patient's symptoms, medical history, previous reports, and MRI or CT scans, when available. This helps patients better understand their diagnosis, determine whether surgery is appropriate, and explore available treatment options.

Yes. Follow-up care is an important part of neurosurgical treatment. Dr. Palak Jaiswal provides post-operative follow-up, recovery guidance, pain management recommendations, rehabilitation support, and monitoring of the patient's progress. The frequency of follow-up visits depends on the type of surgery and the patient's recovery.

Depending on the patient's condition, diagnostic evaluation may include advanced imaging and neurological tests such as:

• MRI scans, including 1.5T or 3T MRI where available
• CT scans
• Digital X-rays
• Dynamic or specialized spine imaging when clinically indicated
• Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction velocity (NCV) studies

The appropriate diagnostic tests are recommended based on the patient's symptoms and clinical examination.