Question 1

Do I need a referral to see a neurosurgeon in Kansas?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your insurance, not on our office. Many plans let you self-schedule a neurosurgery consultation; some, including certain Medicare Advantage plans, require a primary-care referral. Call our office at (785) 368-0767 and our team will check your plan's requirements and help you get scheduled.

Question 2

Should I get a second opinion before spinal fusion?

Accepted Answer

Yes — a second opinion before any major elective spine surgery is reasonable, and surgeons expect it. Fusion is not reversible, and opinions on whether and how much to fuse genuinely differ. Bring your imaging and records; we will give you an honest assessment, even if that means recommending no surgery.

Question 3

Can a herniated disc heal on its own?

Accepted Answer

Often, yes. Most lumbar disc herniations improve with time, activity modification, and non-surgical care, and many resorb on their own. Surgery is typically considered after six or more weeks of failed conservative treatment, or sooner for progressive weakness or bladder and bowel symptoms, which need urgent evaluation.

Question 4

When should I see a doctor for sciatica?

Accepted Answer

See a doctor if sciatica lasts more than a few weeks, keeps you from work or sleep, or comes with leg weakness or numbness. Go to the emergency department immediately for new bladder or bowel problems or numbness in the groin — these can signal cauda equina syndrome.

Question 5

How do I prepare for spine surgery?

Accepted Answer

Preparation starts four to six weeks out: reviewing medications with your care team, stopping nicotine, arranging help at home, and following pre-operative washing and fasting instructions. Our office provides written, step-by-step instructions for your specific surgery — call (785) 368-0767 if you have not received yours.

Question 6

How long is recovery after spine surgery?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the procedure. Microdiscectomy patients often go home the same day and return to desk work in one to two weeks; fusion recovery runs several months. Every procedure page on this site lists typical hospital stay, walking, driving, and return-to-work expectations for that operation.

Question 7

Why am I still in pain after back surgery?

Accepted Answer

Persistent pain after back surgery has many causes: incomplete decompression, scar tissue, adjacent-level degeneration, hardware problems, or a diagnosis the first operation could not fix. Some causes are treatable. A structured review of your imaging and operative records — a formal second opinion — is the right first step.

Question 8

Who does microvascular decompression (MVD) in Kansas?

Accepted Answer

Microvascular decompression is performed at a small number of Kansas centers, including by Dr. Tuchek at Stormont Vail Health in Topeka. MVD treats trigeminal neuralgia at its source when medications fail or cause intolerable side effects. A consultation determines whether you are a candidate for MVD, radiosurgery, or continued medication.

Question 9

Can brain tumors be removed in Topeka?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Dr. Tuchek performs craniotomy for brain tumor, meningioma resection, and biopsy at Stormont Vail Health in Topeka, following fellowship training in neurosurgical oncology at Moffitt Cancer Center. Some complex cases are best treated at high-volume centers — when that is true, we say so and help coordinate the referral.

Question 10

How successful is kyphoplasty?

Accepted Answer

Published studies report that most patients get meaningful pain relief from kyphoplasty, often within days, when it is done for a recent, painful vertebral compression fracture. Timing and patient selection drive results — fractures are usually treated within weeks, after a trial of conservative care. It is typically an outpatient procedure.

Question 11

How should I track my recovery after back surgery?

Accepted Answer

Track four things daily: pain level, walking, wound appearance, and sleep. A simple daily record shows whether you are trending in the right direction and makes follow-up visits far more useful. Free tools — from a paper log to a recovery-tracking app — can do this; consistency matters more than the tool.

Question 12

What insurance do you accept?

Accepted Answer

We work with most major insurance plans, including Medicare. Coverage for a specific procedure is determined by your plan, and prior authorization is often required for spine surgery — our team handles that process and discusses expected costs with you before scheduling. Call (785) 368-0767 to verify your plan.

Spine and brain surgery in Topeka — with honest answers first

What patients usually need first

Understand symptoms

Compare options

Get a second opinion

Know where to go

What surgery actually involves

Lumbar Microdiscectomy

Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion (ACDF)

Lumbar Laminectomy

Preparing for Your Spine Surgery (Ages 50–65)

Told you need spine surgery? Get a second opinion first.

Recovery, step by step — and how to track it

The first days

The first weeks

When to call

Track it

EasySpine: a free recovery-tracking app, built by Dr. Tuchek

Research & Publications

Frequently asked

Clinic visits at Kanza Park, surgery at Stormont Vail

Cotton O'Neil Neurosurgery & Spine (Kanza Park)

Stormont Vail Health

Ready to talk it through?