Neurological care

We specialize in treating your neurological needs. Our top neurologists and neurosurgeons help our patients improve their quality of life.Completing over 3,000 neurosurgeries at Methodist Healthcare hospitals in San Antonio each year, we have one of the most experienced neurology programs in South Texas.

Our nationally renowned doctors specialize in a range of treatments designed to address a variety of brain and spine disorders. Our goal is to find the best possible solution using the latest technologies and treatments. Nothing satisfies us more than improving the lives of our patients.

We are proud to offer innovative and advanced neurological and neurosurgical treatments, including:

• Alteplase (tPA)
• Deep brain stimulation (DBS) — This procedure sends electrical impulses to certain parts of the brain to regulate abnormal impulses. These electrical impulses are carefully administered, so there is no permanent damage to healthy brain tissue.
• Electroencephalography (EEG)
• Kyphoplasty — A kyphoplasty procedure is a type of spine surgery that helps stabilize the vertebra and reduce overall pain levels in individuals with a kyphotic deformity.
• Minimally invasive laminectomy with decompression
• Neuromodulation implantation — Neuromodulation treatment involves applying low-level electrical impulses to nerves along the spinal cord to block pain signals to the brain to help manage chronic pain for those who have tried multiple other treatment options.
• Neuronavigation tumor resection
• Radiosurgery — This involves focusing radiation beams on an affected area-leaving surrounding tissue untouched.
• Robotic-assisted spine surgery: Minimally invasive spine surgery offers an advanced alternative that uses smaller incisions that are less than one-inch long and reduce muscle damage.
• Radiographic imaging — Common types of imaging include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerized tomography (CT) scans.
• Robotic-assisted pedicle screw insertion
• Skull base surgery — Skull base surgery is unique in that the surgical approach varies according to location and complexity. This less invasive approach speeds recovery and decreases the risk of infection related to healing incisions.
• Spinal canal exploration
• Spinal tap
• Spinous process fusion
• Therapy — We offer speech, occupational and physical therapy for a diverse range of needs.

The Gamma Knife^® Center, located at Methodist Hospital, now offers the Leksell Gamma Knife^® Perfexion^™, a radiosurgery option that dramatically increases the precision of radiation delivery to tumors in the brain and neck.

After locating tumors with the most powerful and accurate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology available today, specially trained surgeons and radiation oncologists focus beams of radiation from the Gamma Knife® directly on the affected area–leaving surrounding tissue untouched.

Patients can return home the same day and resume their pre-surgical activities within days.

Gamma Knife^® is a noninvasive treatment option for patients with:

• Benign brain tumors
• Malignant brain tumors
• Metastatic tumors
• Head and neck cancer
• Vascular abnormalities, including arteriovenous malformations (AVMs)
• Trigeminal neuralgia

To learn more about this procedure, please call (210) 575-6575. We offer expert neurological care throughout San Antonio:

• Methodist Hospital–A Primary Stroke Center
• Methodist Hospital Metropolitan–A Primary Stroke Center
• Methodist Hospital Stone Oak–A Primary Stroke Center
• Methodist Children's Hospital–Offering pediatric neurosurgery and maternal-fetal care
• Methodist Hospital Northeast–A Primary Stroke Center and offering emergency neurosurgery

Our physicians work collaboratively to handle any neurosurgical problems that a patient might experience. The multidisciplinary approach of our physician team provides a higher level of expertise for our patients, offering a more comprehensive approach to patient-centered care. Your neurological care team is made up of a various healthcare professionals including:

• Neurologists
• Neurosurgeons
• Nurses
• Case managers

Prior to surgery, you may be asked to do a few things:

• Follow any pre-operative instructions provided by your physician
• Pre-Register online for your surgery, if you’d physician
• Your surgeon may request a computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) be performed just before surgery

During your surgery, we keep your loved ones in mind. We know they will be anxious to receive updates on your progress. Our surgical nurses are happy to provide information, with your consent, to the family representative of your choice.

During your stay, you may cross paths with a case manager. Case managers are vital members of our team that coordinate patient care from admission to discharge. You will be assigned a case manager before your surgery. He or she will focus on obtaining the resources to assist you during your recovery.

After surgery, your postoperative care begins in the recovery room. You will be brought to the Post Acute Care Unit (PACU) or Intensive Care Unit (ICU), which allows for continuous monitoring of your vital signs. Once your surgeon determines that your condition is stable, you will be accompanied to the surgical floor.

Our surgical staff is focused on pain management and preparing you to transition home safely.

Methodist Healthcare offers a comprehensive approach to neurological care. Beyond treatment options, our teams specialize in individualized recovery experiences. If your recovery requires additional support, a neurological rehabilitation program may be recommended. Our neurological rehabilitation program includes physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech therapists who treat adult and pediatric patients in outpatient and inpatient settings.

Case managers will evaluate your needs to determine if you can return home independently or if you will need alternative living arrangements. Your recovery plan may include rehabilitation and therapy as a part of your journey back to your normal activities of daily living. We will also evaluate your situation to see if you need assistive services and/or durable medical equipment.

According to the National Research Corporation, San Antonians prefer Methodist Healthcare's neurosurgeons for their neurology care over any other hospital in the region. We take care of more than 44 percent of the area’s neurological patients. Four of our adult hospitals maintain designations as Primary Stroke Centers by The Joint Commission, meaning we meet exceptional standards of care when administering stroke treatment.