Expert assessment and treatment for conditions affecting the neck, back, spinal cord and nerves.

Spine problems can cause pain, numbness, weakness and reduced mobility.

Treatment depends on the cause of your symptoms, how long they have been present, and whether the nerves or spinal cord are being compressed.

Below are some of the most common spinal procedures performed by our specialist spinal neurosurgeons.

Cervical disc surgery

Cervical disc surgery may be recommended when a disc in the neck is pressing on a nerve and/or the spinal cord.

Symptoms may include neck pain, arm pain, weakness, numbness in the arm or hand, tingling in the hands or feet, hand clumsiness or unsteady walking.

Treatment options include:

• Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion
• Cervical disc replacement

Learn more about cervical disc surgery.

Decompression surgery for spinal stenosis

Spinal stenosis occurs when the spinal cord or nerve roots become compressed in the spinal canal, often due to age-related changes such as arthritis, disc bulging or thickened ligaments.

In the lower back, symptoms may include leg pain, aching, numbness, reduced walking distance and relief when sitting or leaning forward.

In the neck or chest, spinal stenosis may cause tingling, hand clumsiness or unsteadiness when walking.

Learn more about decompression surgery for spinal stenosis.

Lumbar fusion

A typical patient requiring lumbar fusion surgery has a trapped nerve root at the side of the spine (foraminal stenosis), often caused by one vertebra slipping forwards on another (spondylolisthesis).

In some cases, lumbar spine surgery may involve the use of implants such as cages, screws and rods to stabilise and fuse the affected section of the spine. This is recommended only in a minority of patients and usually where there is pre-existing spinal instability.

Lumbar fusion is not recommended for non-specific low back pain.

Learn more about lumbar fusion.

Lumbar microdiscectomy

A lumbar microdiscectomy is a common operation performed to relieve pressure on a nerve caused by a disc prolapse.

Nerve compression can cause leg pain, also known as sciatica, as well as numbness or weakness.

Surgery may be considered if symptoms have not improved with time and pain relief, or if they are interfering with work, sport or daily activities.

Learn more about lumbar microdiscectomy.

Spinal tumours

Spinal tumours may affect the bones of the spine or occur within the lining around the spinal cord and nerves.

Tumours of the spinal bones are often secondary tumours that have spread from another cancer, such as breast, prostate or kidney cancer. Intradural tumours occur within the lining covering the spinal cord, nerves and spinal fluid and are often benign.

Surgery may be performed to remove or reduce the tumour, obtain a diagnosis or stabilise the spine.

Learn more about spinal tumour surgery.

Book a consultation

A specialist consultation can help identify the cause of your symptoms and explain the treatment options available to you.