Neurosurgery is the medical discipline that deals with surgical problems of the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves. It is a highly specialized field, with only 2000 practicing Neurosurgeons in the United States.

The role of the Neurosurgeon is to evaluate and treat not only the brain, spinal cord and nerves, but the also the bones that make of the protecting structure called the spinal column or "spine" for short. In fact, most injuries to the spinal cord and nerves are due to an injury to the spine.

Spinal injuries can be divided into two types: traumatic and degenerative. 1. Traumatic injuries occur when excessive force is imparted onto the body and spine. These result in injuries such as intervertebral disk fractures of vertebrae and torn ligaments. 2. Degenerative injuries are a herniations, result of progressive deterioration in the structural integrity of the various parts of the spine producing injuries such as spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal from degenerated tissue and bone spurs), foraminal stenosis (narrowing of a hole where the spinal nerves exit the spine) as well as disk degeneration and collapse.

Both traumatic and degenerative injuries can result in pressure and damage of the spinal cord and nerves. Generally, the more severe the pressure and the length of time applied, the greater the injury and higher the chance of a permanent injury or neurological deficit. Repair of injured spinal cord and nerves is nearly impossible and healing by the body is in rare. Thus, the purpose of the Neurosurgeon is to prevent pressure on the spinal cord and nerves, or if that pressure exists, attempt to surgically remove it with the hope of limiting the extent of injury.