TREATMENTS

There are many things that can go wrong with the spine but there are also many approaches to fixing it. My practice is devoted to the management of spinal problems from surgery for degenerative diseases to spinal injections for pain management.

Lower back pain tends to be age related & caused by wear & tear on spinal discs – the cushions between bones. Sometimes spinal injections can provide effective pain relief for those experiencing this continuous & painful type of lower back pain.

Lower back pain - Lumbar spine degenerative disease

A stiff or painful neck with pain in the shoulder, arm or hand are indications of cervical degenerative disease. Surgery is recommended if neurological symptoms are present or if chronic pain persists for more than three months.

Neck pain -

cervical degenerative disease

Nearly everyone experiences back pain at some point in their life. Repeated strains, sprains & overuse of the back cause a gradual degeneration of the discs & facet joints of the spine. I will give you a bespoke treatment ladder to help treat your pain.

Back pain -

spinal degenerative disease

Herniated/prolapsed or 'slipped' discs

The discs between your vertebra act as shock absorbers & are tough on the outside & rubbery in the middle. Injury or weakness can cause the ‘rubbery’ part to protrude causing pain & discomfort. The spinal cord can also be compressed causing further pain & numbness. Surgery is required if the disc needs to be removed or repaired.

Neck pain is a common condition due to wear & tear as we age. This symptom can be associated with arm pain, weakness & numbness in the arms & a loss of balance. Sometimes surgery is necessary to lift the compression on the spinal cord and nerve roots and prevent further deterioration.

Neck pain &

Cervical radiculopathy/

myelopathy

Sciatica is the irritation of the sciatic nerve & is often the result of a herniated disc. Common symptoms are shooting pains from the lower back, into the buttock & down the back of the leg. There are options for treatment both surgical & non-surgical.

Sciatica

Revison spine surgery

Revision spine surgery (sometimes known as failed back surgery) refers to patients whose back pain is either the same or worse following prior spinal surgery. The most common cause is the vertebrae failing to fuse. Recurrent disc herniation & metalwork failure may also require further surgery.

Inflammatory spinal disease

Inflammation of the spine can give rise to arthritis causing pain & stiffness, commonly associated with other bodily (systemic) dysfunction.

The spine can become unstable due traumatic injury or as part & parcel of the degenerative process; this results in significant back & leg pain. Spinal fusion of the vertebrae can repair the instability & ease the pain.

Spinal instability

Any physical trauma to your spine that crushes, fractures, dislocates or compresses one or more of your vertebrae is a serious trauma that can have a massive impact on daily life. In these cases emergency spinal surgery is performed, but sometimes months to years afterwards further input & intervention from a spinal surgeon is required.

Spinal trauma

Coccydynia is pain felt in your coccyx (tailbone). Common causes are injury, childbirth, poor posture & prolonged strain. There are a lot of treatments that can help including pain relief injections. If all other treatments fail surgery to manipulate the coccyx is performed.

Coccydynia

Adult scoliosis & kyphosis are a curvature of the spine discovered after skeletal growth. In adults this typically affects the lower back & can cause back or leg pain. Surgery typically involves rods & screws placed into the spine or decompression that removes bone to free up nerves.

Adult scoliosis and kyphosis (spinal deformity)

This is another name for degenerative disease or 'wear and tear', & can affect any part of the spine especially in older age

Spondylosis

Patients with Chiari malformation have the lowest part of their brain extending into their spinal canal putting pressure on the brainstem & spinal cord & obstructing the flow of fluid. Most people show no symptoms but left untreated syringomyelia can develop & cause the spinal cord to be damaged.

Chiari malformation