Neurosurgery in Chicago

Neurosurgery is a medical specialty that focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of disorders/diseases or injury that affects any portion of the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, spinal column, and peripheral nerves. This specialty includes both adult and pediatric patients. A physician who specializes in neurosurgery is called a neurosurgeon. Although they are mostly known as ‘brain surgeons,’ they are also medically trained to help patients who suffer from neck and back pain, as well as a wide range of other illnesses. Some of the most common conditions that neurosurgeons can treat include:

• Meningitis
• Traumatic head injury
• Cervical spine disorders
• Sciatica
• Herniated disc
• Stroke
• Chronic pain
• Carotid artery disease
• Pituitary tumors
• Brain tumors
• Hydrocephalus
• Trigeminal neuralgia
• Spine tumors
• Vertebral fractures
• Sciatica
• Lumbar spinal stenosis.

A neurosurgeon can provide diagnostic procedures, as well as both surgical and non-surgical treatment. These include, but are not limited to:

• Computerized Tomography (CT) scan
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Lumbar Puncture
• Electroencephalography (EEG)
• Ultrasonography (USG)
• Biopsy
• Aneurysm repair
• Tumor removal
• Trauma repair
• Clot removal
• Deep brain stimulation (DBS)
• Brain stereotactic radiosurgery
• Epilepsy surgery
• Fetal surgery
• Endovascular treatment
• Endoscopic procedures
• Hyperhidrosis surgery, such as endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy
• Seizure surgery
• Spinal fusion
• Trigeminal neuralgia surgery.

How Long Should I Stay in Chicago?

Your length of stay depends on the type of procedure you underwent. For diagnostic tests, you may need to stay in Chicago for 3 to 7 days to wait until the results are ready and to discuss the results with your neurosurgeon. In some cases, you may be allowed to leave for home immediately. For medical treatments, you usually need to stay in the hospital for two to five days, and stay in Chicago for 7 to 14 more days, sometimes even longer. During your stay, you will have to attend regular checkups where your neurosurgeon monitors your condition. If everything is fine, you will be allowed to travel home.

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

Since there is a wide range of procedures, recovery times vary. In general, it can take around 4 to 12 weeks to recover from surgery. During this period avoid strenuous activities and take time off of work. Your doctor will gradually allow you to increase your activity levels, based on their examination at the follow-up visits. 

What Aftercare is Required?

After neurosurgery treatments, you will have to change your lifestyle. A healthy diet, such as keeping your salt levels down and avoiding sugary food, is crucial to prevent complications. It is also important that you exercise regularly and get enough sleep. For some types of surgery, you will need rehabilitation therapy, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech, language therapy. 

What's the Success Rate?

Given the advances in technology, understanding of the nervous system, and surgical understanding, the success rate of neurosurgery continues to improve and is now higher than before. For example, the success rate of endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) is around 95%, while the likelihood of being seizure-free five years after epilepsy surgery is around 95%. Still, every procedure come with potential risks and side effects, such as infection, excessive swelling of the brain, spinal fluid leakage, and seizures.

Are there Alternatives?

If you have any conditions related to your nervous system, you can go to a neurologist as the alternative. However, since neurologists do not perform surgery, they will refer you to a neurosurgeon should surgery be required as part of your treatment.

Neurosurgery in and around Chicago

About Chicago

The city of Chicago is the third-most populous city in the United States of America, with a population of over 2.7 million people. The city is located on the southwestern shores of Lake Michigan and is known as the “Windy City.” It is an international hub for culture, finance, commerce, technology, telecommunications, transportation, and industry. The city offers visitors a wide range of things to do. Whether you want to dine in its exquisite restaurants, have fun in the jazz clubs, wander around the green space, admire its architectural beauty, or go shopping. The city also provides top-notch medical centers that attract medical tourists from around 140 countries, especially from the Middle East region. These medical centers have world-class specialists and advanced technologies. Many patients come for cancer, orthopedic, or other complex treatment that they might not be able in their home country. 

Popular Areas in Chicago

• Millennium Park is one of Chicago’s most popular attractions located on Michigan Avenue. Here, tourists can discover a collection of architecture, art, and landscape design. The park includes Pritzker Pavilion, an amazing silver bandshell that hosts free weekly concerts every summer; Cloud Gate ‘the Bean’ mesmerizing silvery sculpture; Crown Fountain, an imperative work of public art and video sculpture; McCormick Tribute Ice Rink for skaters in the winter; and the tranquil Lurie Garden filled with stunning flowers.
• Art Institute of Chicago was founded in 1879 and is the oldest museum in the city. It houses more than 300 thousand pieces of art and has the largest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art outside the Louvre. Tourists can get intimate views of some of the world’s most popular artworks, from Pablo Picasso’s The Old Guitarist to Etruscan pottery. Other important artworks in the museum’s permanent collection include Nighthawks by Edward Hopper, American Gothic by Grant Wood, Rainy Street; Rainy Day by Gustave Caillebotte, and Day of the God by Paul Gauguin.
• Navy Pier was initially constructed as the world’s largest pier in 1914. It was built for shipping and entertainment. During World War II, the pier serves as a training place for pilots. Today, it has become a famous location for tourists to enjoy the cool breeze from the lake. Ride the Centennial Wheel which offers an astounding view of Chicago. The pier also hosts seasonal fireworks and concerts. Tourists can also find public arts on the pier, such as the Captain of the Helm Statue, Bob Newhart Statue, and Crack the Whip Statue.
• Wrigley Field is located on the North Side of Chicago. It is the home to one of the city’s Major League Baseball franchise, the Chicago Cubs. Fans of baseballs will be happy to visit and watch a game here. It was built in 1914 and is one of the oldest major league ballparks. It was the first ballpark to let fans keep foul balls. 

Weather and Climate in Chicago

Chicago experiences four distinct seasons.

• Spring is from April to June. The temperatures are good and enjoyable, making it the best time to visit the city. The average high in May is around 21°C. However, keep in mind that rain showers can occur.
• Summer starts in July and ends in August. The weather can be hot and humid, especially in August. The city is filled with tourists and families during this season. 
• Autumn starts in September to November and the weather is at its best in September, and there are fewer crowds in this season. The temperatures will slowly decrease, sometimes dipping to 4 °C at night.
• Winter will start from late November to March. The winter is cold and snowy, but December is known to be a wonderful time to visit the city because many holiday events and festivals transform the city into a winter wonderland. 

Getting Around in Chicago

O’Hare International Airport is the 3rd busiest airport in the United States. It serves domestic and international flights to many cities in the world, including London, Shanghai, Delhi, and Auckland. Low-cost carriers, such as Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, and Spirit Airlines, are a good and affordable option to travel to and from Chicago. 

Traveling around Chicago is fairly easy since the city has numerous public transportations. The buses and trains are operated by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and they are fast and inexpensive. The trains are known as the “L” trains and it is best to buy a CTA Visitor passes, which has unlimited rides on all CTA trains and buses. A 1-day pass is $10, a 3-day pass is $20, and a 7-day pass is $28. 

Taxis can be found easily throughout the city. They can get a bit expensive, but they provide a convenient way to get around the city. The fares depend on gas prices and the number of passengers. Apps like Lyft and Uber are more cost-effective and are plentiful.

Tourists Visas in Chicago

Visa exemption access is given to Canada, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Palau, and Bermuda. Citizens of 38 countries (including Australia, Japan, Singapore, and the United Kingdom) are selected for the Visa Waiver Program. Citizens from other countries not listed in the visa exemption and visa waiver agreement are required to apply for a visa. Visitors may stay in the United States for 90 days. It is best to check the visa policy at the nearest United States Embassy.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: The official currency is the US dollar ($). For the current exchange rate to your local currency, check XE.com.
2. Money & Payments: Tourists can easily find ATMs in almost every part of the city. Credit and debit cards are accepted in almost every restaurant, shop, and hotel. Tipping can be mandatory in Chicago, tipping at least 18% is generally expected in restaurants.
3. Local Language: The main language is American English and many people can also speak Spanish.
4. Local Culture and Religion: Christianity is the biggest religion in Chicago, followed by Islam and Judaism.
5. Public Holidays: Some of the major public holidays in Chicago are New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.