Dr. Dickinson is a board-certified neurosurgeon who performs surgery of the spine, brain, and peripheral nerves in Idaho Falls and Rexburg, from common disc problems to complex cases. He takes time to look at every treatment option with you before recommending surgery. When surgery is needed, he explains each step and answers your questions along the way. Our team at Dickinson Neurological Surgery specializes in spine and neurological care, so you'll have support before and after your procedure.
Browse procedures below, grouped by spine, brain, and nerves.
Spine Surgery
From the neck to the lower back, Dr. Dickinson treats herniated discs, pinched nerves, narrowing of the spinal canal, degenerative disc disease, fractures, and tumors. Surgery can relieve pressure on the nerves and spinal cord so you can get back to the things you enjoy.
Procedures he offers include:
- Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF)
- Artificial cervical disc replacement (cervical disc arthroplasty)
- Posterior cervical laminectomy
- Posterior cervical laminoplasty
- Posterior cervical foraminotomy
- Posterior cervical fusion
- Thoracic microdiscectomy
- Thoracic laminectomy
- Thoracic fusion
- Thoracic tumor resection
- Lumbar disc surgery (microdiscectomy)
- Far lateral lumbar microdiscectomy
- Lumbar laminectomy (decompression)
- Lumbar foraminotomy
- Lumbar fusion
- Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF)
- Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF)
- Extreme lateral lumbar interbody fusion (XLIF)
- Kyphoplasty
- Vertebroplasty
Minimally Invasive Options
Minimally invasive and image-guided spine surgery are a focus of Dr. Dickinson’s practice. These approaches can be used for many spine procedures and some brain procedures. Ask our team whether they’re right for you.
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Smaller incisions are gentler on the muscles around your spine. Dr. Dickinson uses this approach for spinal fusion and cervical stenosis surgery, and some disc surgeries even let you go home the same day.
Image-Guided Surgery
CT imaging and live X-ray show Dr. Dickinson where his instruments are during surgery. He uses this guidance for spine surgery, shunt placement, and needle brain biopsies to help keep each step accurate.
Endoscopic Spine Surgery
This approach uses a tiny camera and small instruments placed through a small incision. It isn’t right for everyone, so our team will help you find out if it’s a good fit.
Brain Surgery
Whether you need care right away or have time to plan, our team will walk you and your family through your options. Dr. Dickinson performs surgery for brain tumors, bleeding or swelling, infection, and fluid buildup.
Procedures include:
- Stereotactic-guided needle brain biopsy
- Craniotomy for brain tumor/abscess
- Craniotomy for brain bleed (hemorrhage)
- Craniectomy for brain swelling
- Cranioplasty
- Ventriculoperitoneal shunt
- Lumboperitoneal shunt
Nerve Surgery
Numbness, tingling, or weakness in your arms or legs may be a sign of a pinched nerve, which can make everyday activities harder over time. If other treatments haven’t helped, surgery can free the trapped nerve and help ease your symptoms.
Dr. Dickinson performs:
- Carpal tunnel release
- Ulnar nerve release/transposition
- Peroneal (fibular) nerve release
Conditions We Treat
We treat a wide range of spine, brain, and nerve conditions, from spinal stenosis and pinched nerves to brain and spine tumors. Learn more about each one, including symptoms and treatment options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not always. Dr. Dickinson looks at nonsurgical options first, such as physical therapy or pain management, and recommends surgery only when it’s the right next step.
How do I know which procedure is right for me?
At your consultation, Dr. Dickinson will review your symptoms, do an exam, and look at your imaging, such as an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI. Then he’ll talk through your options with you.
It depends on the procedure. Some simple disc surgeries let you go home the same day, while brain surgery recovery can take several weeks to a few months. Our team will go over your recovery plan with you.
Schedule a Consultation with Dickinson Neurological Surgery
If you’re living with a brain, spine, or nerve condition, our team is here to help. Call us today to schedule an appointment, or visit our office.