Spinal Surgery – How to achieve the best outcomes

Spinal problems are common. The most frequent symptom is pain, pain either in the neck or the back or radiating to the shoulder or arm or buttock or leg. When the pain radiates, it is usually due to a trapped nerve in the spine and is called brick alga or Sciatica depending on whether it’s in the arm or leg.

If the nerves are particularly compressed, Radiculopathy can result and patients can experience weakness or numbness or pins and needles as well as the pain. Most spinal conditions are transient and self-limiting and can be managed with conservative measures such as Physiotherapy or a short course of pain relief but if the pain is severe or prolonged or if there is associated numbness or weakness, then a review by a spinal surgeon is prudent.

The best possible outcomes are obtained by ensuring a thorough methodical assessment is made so that the optimum treatment could be provided. This involves a detailed consultation and examination and the acquisition of the correct investigations. Where possible, conservative non-operative treatment is provided.

When surgery is required, a considered approach must be adopted to ensure the clinical picture fits that of the investigations performed. Of course, the surgery must then be executed with a high degree of technical skills. Recovery following the surgery varies depending on the surgery performed for example patients who have had Microdisectomy can be discharged home, the following day but patients who have had Scoliosis surgery will require a period of inpatient rehabilitation. Patients are then followed up until the optimum recovery is achieved.