Corpus Christi
2701 Morgan Ave #425, Corpus Christi, TX 78405
(361) 444-6044More info about Corpus Christi
Neurosurgery for Spine and Nerve Injury
Specialist assessment and surgical care for injuries of the spine, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves, with a clear threshold for when an operation is genuinely warranted and when it is not.
- Clinical scope
- Spine + peripheral nerves
- Evaluation
- Neurologic exam + imaging
- Approach
- Conservative first
- Access
- 6 Texas clinics
YLMedically reviewed by Dr. Yi Michael Li, NeurosurgeonLast updated July 2026
Quick overview
Who We Help
Two audiences read this page: the patient weighing an operation, and the professional who has to justify its necessity and cost.
Injured patients
Patients with arm or leg pain, numbness, or weakness that has not improved with conservative care, or whose imaging shows compression of the spinal cord or a nerve root.
Attorneys and case managers
Firms with a client whose imaging or neurologic findings may warrant a neurosurgical opinion, supported by clinically grounded documentation and clear recommendations.
Overview
What Is Neurosurgical Care at GTOA?
Neurosurgery covers the surgical and non-surgical management of the brain, spine, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. In an injury practice most of that work is spinal: disc herniation, canal or foraminal stenosis, instability after trauma, and compression injuries that produce weakness rather than pain alone.
A neurosurgical consultation at GTOA is not a presumption of surgery. It evaluates whether structural compression or instability is present, whether conservative care remains appropriate, and whether a surgical option should be considered.
Conditions
Conditions and Symptoms We Evaluate
We evaluate injuries where the nervous system itself is involved, not just pain, but loss of function.
Herniated cervical and lumbar discs
Spinal stenosis and nerve root compression
Radiculopathy with measurable weakness
Post-traumatic spinal instability or fracture
Peripheral nerve compression and injury
Failed prior spine surgery
Your consultation
What to Expect From a Neurosurgical Evaluation
A neurosurgical consultation is largely an exercise in ruling surgery out. Here is how the decision is reached.
1
Detailed neurological history
When symptoms began, how they have progressed, what treatment has already been tried, and, critically, whether function is stable, improving, or deteriorating.
2
Neurological examination
Motor strength graded by muscle group, sensory mapping, reflexes, gait, and specific tests for cord versus root involvement. Deficits are documented numerically so change can be tracked.
3
Advanced imaging review
MRI and CT are reviewed slice by slice and matched against the examination. Imaging findings that do not correspond to a patient's symptoms are not treated as surgical targets.
4
Surgical versus non-surgical decision
The surgeon explains whether an operation is indicated, what it may and may not address, and whether continued conservative care or monitoring is appropriate.
5
Operative plan or referral back
If surgery is indicated, the proposed procedure, setting, risks, and recovery considerations are explained. If not, the clinician documents the recommended non-surgical or follow-up pathway.
Practical details
What to Expect
The practical shape of neurosurgical care, from consultation through recovery.
Consultation
Specialist review
The visit may include a neurological examination, imaging review, and discussion of appropriate treatment options.
Decision
Individualized
A consultation determines whether observation, conservative care, additional testing, or surgery should be considered.
If surgery is advised
Procedure-specific
The setting, preparation, risks, and expected hospital course depend on the recommended procedure and patient needs.
Recovery
Clinician-guided
Activity, follow-up, therapy, and return-to-work guidance are individualized after the treatment plan is confirmed.
Outcomes
Treatment, Recovery, and Follow-Up
What treatment involves, how recovery is managed, and how progress is verified.
1Treatment
Minimally invasive decompression where possibleMicrodiscectomy for contained disc herniationFusion or stabilization only for genuine instabilityNon-surgical management for the majority of patients
2Recovery
Hospital and discharge planning based on the procedureStructured activity progression based on clinical guidancePhysical therapy when recommended as part of recoveryDocumented work restrictions when clinically appropriate
3Follow-up
Post-operative review at intervals set by the surgeonRepeat neurological examination to assess progressImaging only when the examination warrants itWritten discharge summary and long-term prognosis
When to call us. Seek care immediately for sudden severe weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, saddle numbness, or rapidly progressing numbness; these are surgical emergencies and should not wait for a scheduled visit.
Referral workflow
Referral, Documentation, and Communication
GTOA coordinates referral intake, scheduling, available records, and status communication for patients and authorized legal teams.
Initial evaluation report
History, mechanism of injury, examination findings, diagnosis, and the proposed treatment plan.
Imaging correlation
MRI, CT, and X-ray findings tied explicitly to your client's reported symptoms and physical examination.
Clinical correlation
When clinically appropriate, documentation may discuss how the reported incident, findings, and pre-existing conditions relate.
Treatment records and progress
Visits and procedures are documented with relevant symptoms, examination findings, treatment, and response information.
Future care recommendations
The clinician may document additional evaluation, treatment, surgery, or follow-up that should be considered.
Response times
Scheduling and records timing depend on location, clinical need, record availability, and clinician review. The team confirms the next step for each request.
Referral requestReviewed by the team
SchedulingBased on location and clinical need
Evaluation notesAvailable after clinician review
Records requestsConfirmed for each request
Status communicationProvided at key milestones
Cost & coverage
Insurance, Payment, and Case Coordination
Coverage and payment arrangements vary. Contact the team before scheduling so eligibility and current options can be confirmed.
Health insurance
Contact GTOA to verify current plan participation, benefits, and any authorization requirements before the visit.
Qualified injury cases
Lien-based arrangements may be available for qualifying personal injury cases. The team confirms eligibility and terms for each referral.
Self-pay
Patients paying directly can contact the office for current pricing and available payment arrangements.
Why GTOA
Why Choose GTOA?
The same six reasons matter to a patient choosing a clinic and to a firm choosing where to send a client.
01
Diagnosis before treatment
Symptoms, neurological findings, available imaging, and prior care are considered before treatment is recommended.
02
Specialist imaging review
MRI, CT, and other available studies are interpreted alongside the patient's examination and functional symptoms.
03
Conservative care first
Non-surgical and minimally invasive pathways are considered before surgery when clinically appropriate.
04
Clear clinical documentation
Records document relevant history, findings, diagnosis, recommendations, treatment, and response.
05
Coordinated communication
Referring legal teams can contact GTOA about scheduling, status questions, and available records.
06
Six Texas clinics
Beaumont, Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Arlington, and Corpus Christi provide access to GTOA care across Texas.
Department
Neurosurgery
Other departments
Request care or refer a client
Patients can request care through Contact Us, and legal teams can begin a referral through the For Attorneys page.
Main branch(409) 600-8707
Medical review
Neurosurgery specialist
The physician responsible for the medical review of this page.
Our branches
Find a clinic near you
Corporate office: 324 North 23rd Street, Beaumont, TX 77707
Arlington
907(A) Medical Center Drive, Arlington, TX 76012
(409) 600-8690More info about ArlingtonDallas
8330 Lyndon B Johnson Fwy, Suite B400, Dallas, TX 75243
(469) 673-3064More info about DallasSan Antonio
7220 Louis Pasteur Drive, Suite 130, San Antonio, TX 78229
(210) 468-3440More info about San AntonioHouston
8928 Kirby Drive, Houston, TX 77054
(409) 600-8690More info about HoustonBeaumont (Corporate HQ)
324 North 23rd St, Beaumont, TX 77707
(409) 600-8707More info about Beaumont (Corporate HQ)Related care
Related Services
Where patients most often go next, and what pairs with this service in an active case.
For patients
No. The consultation determines whether structural compression or instability is present and whether monitoring, conservative care, additional testing, or surgery should be considered.
For attorneys and case managers
Through graded motor and sensory deficits, level-by-level imaging correlation, and a documented record of the conservative treatment that preceded the recommendation.