Blog
Long reads on brain & spine care.
Doctor-written articles on the questions patients ask most often. Practical, honest, and written for people making real decisions about their care.
- Before your appointment4 min
What to expect at your first neurosurgeon appointment
A first consultation is about listening, examining and looking at your imaging together — not a rushed decision about surgery.
Read - Preparing for surgery4 min
How to prepare for brain surgery: a patient's guide
Good preparation reduces anxiety and complications. Here is what to organise in the weeks and days before surgery.
Read - Conditions & procedures4 min
Do neurosurgeons remove brain tumours?
Yes — brain tumour surgery is one of the core areas of neurosurgical practice, and modern techniques make it far safer than most people fear.
Read - Conditions & procedures4 min
What conditions do neurosurgeons treat?
Neurosurgery covers the brain, spine and peripheral nerves — from ruptured discs to aneurysms, tumours and hydrocephalus.
Read - Recovery5 min
How long does neurosurgery recovery take?
There is no single answer — recovery depends on the operation, your age and your general health. Here are realistic timelines for the most common procedures.
Read - Surgery decisions5 min
Is brain surgery safe? Understanding the real risks
Modern brain surgery is dramatically safer than a generation ago, but no operation is risk-free. Here is how we think about it honestly.
Read - Before your appointment4 min
What questions should I ask my neurosurgeon?
A short, prioritised list of questions that will get you clear answers and help you make a confident decision.
Read - When to see a neurosurgeon4 min
How do I know if I need a neurosurgeon?
Most people are referred by a GP, physiotherapist or neurologist. Here are the symptoms and findings that usually justify a specialist opinion.
Read - When to see a neurosurgeon3 min
Neurologist vs neurosurgeon — what's the difference?
Both specialise in the nervous system, but a neurologist manages conditions medically and a neurosurgeon operates. The two work closely together.
Read - Conditions & procedures4 min
Can neurosurgeons treat spine problems?
Spinal surgery is roughly half of most neurosurgical practices — from microdiscectomy and decompression to fusion for instability and tumours.
Read - Cost, access & family4 min
How much does neurosurgery cost in South Africa?
Cost depends on the procedure, the hospital, and whether you have medical aid. Here is how to think about it and get an accurate quote.
Read - Before your appointment5 min
What happens during a neurosurgery consultation, step by step
History, examination, imaging review, plan. Here is the sequence, why each step matters and how long each takes.
Read - Surgery decisions4 min
Do I really need surgery for my brain condition?
Not always. Many brain conditions are watched, medicated or treated with radiation. Surgery is only right when the benefit clearly outweighs the risk.
Read - Before your appointment4 min
How to choose the right neurosurgeon
Credentials, volume of the specific operation you need, communication style and hospital access all matter more than reviews online.
Read - Conditions & procedures4 min
The most common neurosurgery procedures, explained
Lumbar microdiscectomy, ACDF, laminectomy, craniotomy for tumour, VP shunt, chronic subdural drainage — these make up the bulk of practice.
Read - Cost, access & family3 min
How long is the neurosurgery waiting list?
In private practice in Johannesburg, urgent cases are usually done within days and elective ones within one to four weeks.
Read - Conditions & procedures4 min
Can neurosurgeons treat chronic pain?
For pain caused by nerve compression, often yes. For generalised chronic pain, a pain specialist is usually a better first port of call.
Read - Before your appointment4 min
What medical records to bring to your first appointment
A referral letter, your imaging on disc, blood results, current medication list and any prior operation notes. Here is the practical checklist.
Read - Surgery decisions4 min
Non-surgical alternatives to brain surgery
For many brain conditions there are real alternatives: observation, medication, stereotactic radiosurgery or endovascular treatment. Surgery is not always the answer.
Read - Conditions & procedures4 min
How brain tumours are diagnosed
MRI is the workhorse. Definitive diagnosis usually requires a biopsy — the tissue tells us what we are dealing with.
Read - Cost, access & family4 min
What your family needs to know before your neurosurgery
A short briefing for the people supporting you: what to expect on the day, in ICU or the ward, and at home.
Read - Recovery4 min
How to prepare your home for neurosurgery recovery
Small changes to your home before you leave hospital make the first two weeks safer and calmer.
Read - Conditions & procedures4 min
Can neurosurgeons treat brain aneurysms?
Yes. Most aneurysms today are treated endovascularly, but neurosurgical clipping remains the right choice for selected patients.
Read - Conditions & procedures4 min
What is minimally invasive neurosurgery?
Smaller incisions, less muscle damage, faster recovery — where it applies. But smaller is not automatically better; the operation still has to fit the problem.
Read - Recovery5 min
How much recovery time to plan — work, driving, exercise
Planning realistically avoids the two common mistakes: pushing back to work too soon, or being off unnecessarily long.
Read - Preparing for surgery5 min
What medications you must stop before neurosurgery
Blood thinners, some anti-inflammatories, certain supplements and specific diabetes drugs — the list is specific and matters.
Read - Surgery decisions4 min
Do all brain tumours require surgery?
No. Many are observed, some are treated with radiation or medication, and only a subset genuinely needs an operation.
Read - Conditions & procedures5 min
How neurosurgeons safely reach a brain tumour
Careful planning, neuronavigation, the operating microscope and — increasingly — awake surgery let us reach tumours deep in the brain with minimal collateral damage.
Read - Surgery decisions5 min
Success rates for brain tumour surgery — an honest look
Numbers vary hugely by tumour type, size and location. Here is how to think about outcomes rather than a single misleading statistic.
Read - Conditions & procedures4 min
Can neurosurgeons treat epilepsy?
For selected patients whose seizures are not controlled by medication, epilepsy surgery can dramatically reduce or eliminate seizures.
Read - When to see a neurosurgeon3 min
How to find a neurosurgeon near you
Ask your GP, check the HPCSA register, and confirm hospital and medical aid access. Proximity matters, but the right surgeon matters more.
Read - Before your appointment4 min
What a neurosurgeon actually does in a consultation
Listen, examine, review imaging, decide. In that order — because reversing the order leads to bad decisions.
Read - Before your appointment4 min
How to verify your neurosurgeon's qualifications
HPCSA specialist registration is the minimum. Fellowships, hospital appointments and society membership are useful extras.
Read - Conditions & procedures5 min
Imaging tests neurosurgeons use, explained
MRI, CT, angiography, functional MRI and PET — each answers a different question. Here is when we use which.
Read - Surgery decisions4 min
Can neurosurgery cure your condition?
For many conditions, yes — completely. For others, surgery controls, manages or slows the disease. Honest expectations matter.
Read - Preparing for surgery4 min
Nutrition before and after neurosurgery
Good nutrition heals wounds faster and reduces infection risk. The rules are simple, not restrictive.
Read - Recovery4 min
How infection is prevented after brain surgery
Prophylactic antibiotics, sterile technique, careful wound closure and clear post-op instructions all combine to keep infection rates very low.
Read - Cost, access & family4 min
The cost of brain tumour surgery in South Africa
There is no single figure. Costs vary by hospital, complexity, ICU stay and implants. Here is how to get an accurate quote before committing.
Read - Recovery4 min
How long you'll be in hospital after neurosurgery
Anything from same-day discharge for a peripheral nerve procedure to a week or more after complex tumour surgery. Here are typical stays.
Read - Recovery4 min
When can you drive after neurosurgery?
The answer depends on the operation, whether you have had seizures, and how well you are moving your neck or reacting to hazards.
Read