Neurologists and neurosurgeons in Wichita

Wesley Healthcare's neurologists and neurosurgeons treat a wide range of conditions and perform state-of-the-art treatments. Whether you come to us for a neurological emergency or nerve pain, you are in expert hands in Wichita.

For more information about our neuroscience services, please call (316) 962-3627.

We understand that a neurological event or diagnosis can be overwhelming. Our neurosciences team in Wichita provides support to help you cope with decisions and challenges you may be facing.

Though we perform neurosurgeries day-in and day-out, these procedures are not routine for us because they are not routine for you.

Neurological conditions and treatments

Our neurologists in Wichita, Kansas treat a wide range of conditions and provide a range of treatments, including:

  • Aneurysms
  • Brain injuries
  • Brain cancer and tumor care
  • Chronic headaches and migraines
  • Deep brain stimulation
  • Epilepsy
  • Lesioning
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Movement disorders
  • Nerve pain
  • Neurological diseases
  • Neurological infections
  • Neuromuscular disorders
  • Neurosurgery
  • Spine surgery
  • Spinal disorders
  • Stroke care

Primary Stroke Center


Wesley Medical Center is a Primary Stroke Center designated by The Joint Commission, meaning we meet and surpass the national standards for stroke patient outcomes.

We are also a 2018 "Gold Plus" award recipient of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association's Get With The Guidelines®—Stroke program.

Diagnosis and treatment for neuromuscular disorders

Neuromuscular disorders affect the nerves that control your voluntary muscles—the muscles that you can control. When signals from these nerves are disrupted, you may lose some or all of your control of your arms, legs or other parts of your body. Muscle may waste away, causing weakness, pain and other symptoms. Some disorders can affect your heart muscles and the muscles that control breathing.

Neuromuscular disorders include spinal muscular atrophy, muscular dystrophy (MD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and myasthenia gravis. Our neurologists may order any of the following tests to diagnose a neuromuscular disorder:

  • Muscle strength tests: We may ask you to move in a certain way or to move part of your body against a resistive force. For instance, we may ask you to grip a device to check your hand strength.
  • Muscle biopsy: This involves taking a small sample, using either a needle or small incision. The sample will be examined under a microscope to see if certain muscle proteins are lacking.
  • Electromyography (EMG): This test records the electrical activity of muscles. It can help determine whether a problem is in the muscle or caused by a nerve disorder.
  • Nerve conduction velocity (NCV) test: Also known as a nerve conduction study or NCS, this test uses electrodes to determine the speed of nerve signals.
  • Genetic testing: These tests can identify mutations or changes that affect function, in genes.

Depending on your specific condition, needs and other facts, treatment may include oral or IV medicines, surgery or physical therapy.

Diagnosis and treatments of movement disorders

A movement disorder is a disease or condition that affects your ability to move and to control your body’s movements. There are many different types of movement disorders, but the most common include Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, dystonia and Huntington’s disease.

Movement disorders cannot be identified with a specific test and are instead identified by conducting a neurological exam that includes observation of walking, talking, moving and how a person controls facial expressions. Symptoms, medical history and a family history of movement disorders will also be reviewed and discussed with the patient.

Some tests can help rule out conditions that cause similar symptoms, such as stroke. Blood samples or spinal fluid may be taken. An EMG or EEG may be performed to monitor the electrical activity of the brain and imaging techniques can help doctors see damage in and around the brain.

Depending on your disorder, age and other factors, treatment may include:

  • Medication: A number of medications are used to treat movement disorders.
  • Deep brain stimulation (DMS): This procedure uses a device called a neurostimulator to deliver electrical signals to the areas of the brain that control movement, pain, mood, weight and awakening. DMS is used to treat Parkinson’s disease and some other movement disorders.
  • Thalamotomy: This surgery destroys a tiny part of the brain called the thalamus. An MRI or other imaging technique helps pinpoint the exact location for treatment. The surgeon inserts a hollow probe through a small hole in the skull and liquid nitrogen flows through the probe, making the probe extremely cold. The probe is used to destroy the thalamus.
  • Lesioning: Lesioning uses heat, radiation or other methods to injure tiny, precise areas of the brain. The lesions are painless and can prevent the area of the brain from causing your symptoms. Lesioning, also called ablative brain surgery, is used to treat Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor and other movement disorders.

Multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that affects your brain and spinal cord. It damages the myelin sheath, the material that surrounds and protects your nerve cells. As damage builds, it blocks or slows messages between your brain and the rest of your body.

No specific test can tell you or your doctor that you have MS. The disease is usually diagnosed through an evaluation of your symptoms and medical history. A lab test can help rule out other diseases or conditions.

Migraine and headache care

Primary headaches are not caused by disease or an underlying condition. Common primary headache examples include:

  • Migraine headaches: Migraines are the most common type of primary headache, affecting millions of Americans. Migraines can last from a few hours to one or two days.
  • Cluster headaches: Cluster headaches are severe headaches that happen one to three times a day for a period of time, usually a few weeks.
  • Sinus headaches: Sinus headaches are not as common as many people believe. Experts now believe that most people who think they are having sinus headaches are actually having migraines.
  • Tension headaches: Tension headaches are one of the most common types of headache. They are usually linked directly to stress or anxiety.
  • Temporal arteritis: Temporal arteritis causes inflammation and damage to the blood vessels that supply blood to the head, neck, upper body and arms. It usually affects people who are 50 years old and older.

Some headaches can be a sign of a serious medical condition that requires prompt attention. Secondary headaches—caused by underlying conditions, such as tumors, aneurysms or certain diseases—are rarer than other types of headaches. Seek help immediately for:

  • Sudden, severe headache or sudden headache with a stiff neck
  • Headache with fever, convulsions, confusion or loss of consciousness
  • Headache following a blow to the head or with pain in the eye or ear
  • Persistent headache in a person who was previously headache-free
  • Recurring headache in children

Pediatric neurology

Our pediatric neurologists have experience diagnosing and treating a wide range of neurological disorders in children. Wesley Children’s Hospital offers a child-friendly environment designed to help ease your little one’s fears and anxieties.

Neurological rehabilitation

After a neurological event, some patients require therapy to help restore function and/or motor skills. Our neurological rehabilitation team will create a customized care plan for your recovery.

WesleyCare Virtual Network

Many small or rural hospitals do not have a neurologist available to diagnose and treat patients exhibiting symptoms of stroke or acute neurological conditions. The WesleyCare Virtual Network helps connect physicians and patients in these hospitals with a neurologist any time of the day or night.

Our network uses a mobile “robot,” which has a motion-directed monitor, high-resolution cameras and a microphone. Within minutes, the local physician and patient can be communicating with an experienced neurologist who can view the patient’s symptoms and discuss them with everyone involved. Medical data, including imaging scans, can also be transmitted. The local clinical team and neurologist can then develop a treatment plan for patients in need of specialized care.

Telemedicine consults are available for acute neurological conditions present within 48 hours of patients being admitted to partner facilities. Examples include, but are not limited to:

  • First-time seizure
  • Status epilepticus
  • Severe headache
  • Neuromuscular emergencies
  • Subarachnoid hemorrhage
  • Altered mental status
  • Sub-acute stroke