Neurosurgeon in Latviawhere to get treatment, how to verify certification, what this doctor does

A neurosurgeon diagnoses and treats surgical disease of the central and peripheral nervous system. Veselības centru apvienība states that neurosurgeons treat congenital anomalies, trauma, tumours, vascular disease, brain and spine infections, specific forms of stroke, and degenerative spine disease.

• Brain, spinal cord and nerve tumours
• Vascular pathology: aneurysms and malformations
• Head and spine trauma
• Spontaneous intracerebral haematoma
• Hydrocephalus
• Degenerative spine disease, including disc herniation and spinal canal stenosis
• Peripheral nerve damage, including carpal and cubital tunnel syndrome
• Surgical treatment of epilepsy

It matters that neurosurgeons also prescribe non-surgical treatment. Veselības centru apvienība notes this can include painkillers and anti-inflammatories, steroid injections, paravertebral and infiltrative blocks, physiotherapy and lifestyle change. A neurosurgery appointment does not mean surgery is inevitable.

• Six years of medical study and a doctor's degree, at RSU or the University of Latvia.
• Residency in neurosurgery. Programme page: RSU residency programme.
• The neurosurgery ward at Rīga East University Hospital is a training base for Rīga Stradiņš University students and residents.
• Some neurosurgeons train further at clinics abroad and take part in European neurosurgical association events.
• The certificate is valid for 5 years. Recertification requires 250 continuing education points, at least 60 per cent tied to the base specialty, plus a 48.38 EUR fee.
• Entry in the practitioners register must be renewed every 5 years.

• A second opinion before surgery. Before major brain or spine surgery a second opinion is accepted practice, and some clinics offer it remotely.
• Type of surgery. Spine surgery, tumour surgery and peripheral nerve surgery are distinct fields, so ask what the individual surgeon does most often.
• Equipment. For complex operations, neuronavigation, stereotaxy and intraoperative monitoring matter.
• Non-surgical treatment. If pain is the main complaint, ask whether the doctor offers blocks and other non-surgical options.
• Regional access. Some regional hospitals host visiting Rīga neurosurgeons, which saves the journey.

• Bring all imaging: MRI and CT discs and reports. Without them a neurosurgeon often cannot give an opinion.
• Bring your treatment history, including physiotherapy, injections and current medicines.
• The doctor assesses symptoms, neurological findings and images together, since what appears on a scan does not always explain the complaint.
• The visit covers both surgical and non-surgical options, with their benefits and risks.
• If surgery is planned, recovery and rehabilitation are discussed too.

In the public system, with a family doctor or specialist referral, a neurosurgery visit costs 4.00 EUR. Inpatient treatment costs 10.00 EUR per day from the second day, capped at 355.00 EUR per illness episode.

• Patient co-payment for a neurosurgery visitPrice EUR: 4.00Source: Rēzekne Hospital, NVD
• Patient co-payment for inpatient care from day twoPrice EUR: 10.00 per daySource: NVD
• Co-payment cap per illness episodePrice EUR: 355.00Source: NVD
• Professor or dr. med. consultationPrice EUR: per provider price listSource: Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital
• Private neurosurgery consultationPrice EUR: per clinic price listSource: VCA

The specialty body is the association "Latvijas Neiroķirurgu biedrība" (Latvian Society of Neurosurgeons), registration number 40008014441, registered address Hipokrāta iela 2, Rīga, LV-1038, email neirokirurgubiedriba@gmail.com.

Certificates are issued by the Certification Council of the Latvian Medical Association. The sector regulator is the Health Inspectorate.

If you have doubts about the quality of care, raise them first with the provider's management. If that does not resolve it, a written submission goes to the Health Inspectorate no later than two years after the alleged infringement, and is reviewed within 30 days, extendable to four months in complex cases. The procedure is set out on the Health Inspectorate site.