Spinal surgery in Nottingham

The spine runs from head to buttock and is made up a series of small bones (vertebrae), nerves, joints, ligaments, muscles and soft cushions of tissue (discs).

It is an incredibly complex structure and provides a variety of functions. If there is a problem anywhere in the spine, it can have a significant, sometimes life-changing effect on your physical health, mobility and quality of life.

Common symptoms of a spinal problem include: 

• Back pain
• Neck pain
• Sciatica (pain radiating down your leg into your foot)
• Referred pains in the hip, thigh or buttock
• Numbness/weakness

If you have any concerns about your spine, it is sensible to see an expert for assessment and advice at the earliest opportunity. The Consultant Spinal Surgeons at The Park in Nottingham provide leading, advanced care for a wide variety of spinal conditions and would be delighted to help you access the help you need as soon as possible. 

Everybody will experience a sore or stiff back or neck at some point in their lives. This is often after they have lifted something heavy at an awkward angle or from a sports injury. These will not usually cause pain or discomfort immediately but will often develop slowly over a day or two.  

While it may sometimes be easy to ignore mild symptoms, when they are more severe you may find yourself extremely limited in how well you can move and function.  

For any spinal problem, an accurate diagnosis is crucial to be able to determine the right treatment for you.  

Very often, it will be found that the cause of your symptoms is nothing serious and should resolve itself naturally with rest and time. Other times, it may be found that medical intervention will be needed to treat the problem.  

If you are struggling with your symptoms and would appreciate expert help quickly, why not book an appointment with one of our experienced spinals surgeons? You may be referred to us by your GP, physiotherapist or private medical insurance company. You can also self-refer, giving you the freedom to take control of your own healthcare needs. 

It is important to know that many spinal conditions can be effectively managed without the need for surgery. Treatments include: 

• Core muscle rehabilitation - to help mobilise the spine and strengthen the supporting structures in order to increase stability 
• Pain relief medication (analgesia) 
• Spinal injections – these contain an anaesthetic and steroid and may be diagnostic or therapeutic 
• Surgery – there are a number of different operations, the most common are described below. 

A discectomy is normally carried out when a slipped vertebral disc is compressing a nerve, and involves removing a small portion of the disc. This is done under general anaesthetic with open surgery. While it is a reliable form of surgery, you may need up to 6 weeks off work to recover. 

Alternatively, a slipped disc can be treated with a percutaneous discectomy. Carried out under sedation as a day case, a large needle is inserted into the disc under X-ray guidance surgery and a laser used to vaporise the affected area.  

A vertebral laminectomy / spinal decompression may be advised if your spinal canal has narrowed (this is known as lumbar spinal stenosis). This operation involves removing bone and ligament in order to open up the canal once more. 

Vertebroplasty involves injecting a special cement into a fractured vertebra. This is often used to treat pain caused by osteoporotic fractures in the spine. 

Spinal Fusion may be advised if you have severe back pain that has not been managed with other measures. Carried out under general anaesthetic, titanium screws are placed into the vertebrae and fixed together with rods and bone grafts around the joints of the spine. These fuse together over time. Many people feel the benefits of this surgery within a few weeks, although it will take 6 – 12 months to fully fuse the bones together.  

If a serious pathology is found, such as a tumour or infection, you will be immediately placed on a treatment pathway for that condition. 

The spinal surgeons at The Park Hospital will ensure you receive the most appropriate treatment for your specific needs.  

When you first meet with your consultant, they will take a medical history and talk with you about your symptoms in detail. They will want to know: 

• What are your symptoms? 
• How long have you had these symptoms?
• Are your symptoms constant or intermittent?
• Have you had spinal surgery previously?
• How are your symptoms limiting your daily activities?

They will carry out a physical examination, assessing the health of your spine and looking for any signs of nerve problems.

Nearly everyone we see for a spinal complaint will be referred for an MRI scan and this can be arranged for you on-site. These scans are excellent at showing the soft tissues and can help to highlight issues like inflammation, disc bulges and vertebral problems.

Some conditions may benefit from other investigations like ultrasound or CT, and these are also easily arranged on-site.

Once a diagnosis has been made, your consultant will discuss treatment options with you so that you can make an informed choice about treatment.   

It may be that the most appropriate treatment for you will be an injection of a steroid and local anaesthetic, either directly into the source of the pain or around the nerve root (the point the nerve leaves the spinal cord). Depending on the location of the injection, your consultant may be able to administer it during your consultation. Where X-ray guidance is needed, it will be arranged for you at the earliest possible date.  

When you visit The Park Hospital in Nottingham for investigation or treatment for your spinal condition, you will benefit from: 

• Fast access to a spinal expert – Certain spinal conditions are best treated at the earliest possible stage. Our consultants can see you for an assessment without delay. An earlier diagnosis means that any necessary treatment can be arranged before your symptoms progress any further. 
• Personalised care – Spinal conditions require a bespoke approach to treatment to ensure the best results are seen. You will always see the same consultant, and they will oversee every aspect of your care, from first consultation through to post-treatment follow-up.  
• A multidisciplinary approach – Your consultant is supported in their work by a number of other specialists, including physiotherapists, radiologists, pain consultants, anaesthetists, oncologists, neurologists and nurses. You will always be supported by the most appropriate person every step of the way during your treatment. 
• Convenient Appointments – It is easy to book an appointment for a time that is convenient to you. For convenience, we can also offer remote consultations by telephone or video call if required (and where clinically appropriate). 

For peace of mind and expert care for your spinal concerns, please contact us to book an appointment now. We look forward to welcoming you to The Park Hospital and helping you to access the support you need without delay.