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Spinal surgery

Back issues can cause pain and reduce mobility, but spinal treatments can help to manage your symptoms

Close up of a specialist explaining spinal surgery using a medical model of the spine
Back pain is a very common complaint in the UK, and it can be felt anywhere along the spine, from the neck to the hips. Pain in the lower part of the back (also known as lumbago) is particularly common in the adult population. The spine plays a vital role in protecting the spinal cord, which connects the brain to the rest of the body. It also provides the foundation for the posture of the body as well as enabling you to move about. The spine is made up from a column of bones; a total of 24 separate vertebrae, each interspaced with cartilage. The presence of pain in the back can have a significant impact on your daily life.

Normally, back pain will go away naturally within a few weeks or months. However, sometimes the pain does not improve or it gets worse over time. When this occurs, you should seek medical advice. At Circle Health, we are proud to facilitate hundreds of specialists who can help improve your mobility and reduce your back pain through a variety of treatment options. This might be through surgery or more non-invasive methods, such as physiotherapy or pain management.

Spinal treatment with Circle Health will be carried out by our multidisciplinary team, comprising dedicated Consultants, nurses, physiotherapists, radiologists and more.

Our specialist spinal units, spread across Circle Health hospitals, feature advanced diagnostic equipment that helps us provide a rapid and accurate diagnosis of your back pain.

Whether you have back pain caused by arthritis or poor posture, such as a slipped disc, our team will strive to ensure you experience increased mobility and pain relief through effective treatment.

Back pain comes in many forms. It can be felt as a sharp pain when bending down or it might be a dull ache that spreads out from the lower back and radiates down the legs. There are several reasons why you might need spinal treatment. These include:

Herniated cervical disc: this develops when a disc between the vertebrae breaks down and pushes against the nerves or against the spinal cord. This may be due to arthritis or a back injury.

Sciatica: this is commonly felt as a pain in the lower back and down a leg. It is caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve where it leaves the base of your spine. Sciatica can also occur when a disc in your spine becomes worn and develops a bulge (this is called a slipped disc).

Spinal stenosis: this occurs where the space in the centre of the spine (spinal canal) becomes narrow. The nerves can become trapped, which can cause weakness or pain in your legs.

Scoliosis: this is an abnormal sideways curvature of the spine. The spine twists, which causes the ribcage to rotate.

Spinal treatment with Circle Health will be carried out by our multidisciplinary team, comprising dedicated Consultants, nurses, physiotherapists, radiologists and more. 

Our specialist spinal units, spread across Circle Health hospitals, feature advanced diagnostic equipment that helps us provide a rapid and accurate diagnosis of your back pain.  

Whether you have back pain caused by arthritis or poor posture, such as a slipped disc, our team will strive to ensure you experience increased mobility and pain relief through effective treatment. 

Sciatica treatments

Back pain that is associated with sciatica mostly occurs in the lower back, although it can also be felt in the legs. In most cases, this type of back pain can be effectively treated with physiotherapy, rather than pain management or surgical procedures.

Back pain management

For most patients who are suffering with back pain, a period of rest will help to reduce the pain. However, at Circle Health, our team of physiotherapists can show you a range of exercises that will help you to manage back pain until it goes away. Along with over-the-counter pain medication, such ibuprofen, physiotherapy is often the most appropriate treatment for back pain.

Spinal fusion surgery

A spinal fusion is a type of surgery that is performed on the bones, discs and soft tissues of the spine. You may need a spinal fusion if one or more of the joints in your spine have deteriorated or become unstable. The cause may be related to age or an injury. During the procedure, the affected joint in the spine will be removed and then replaced with a combination of a bone graft and metal fusion cage.

Booking your spinal treatment with Circle Health differs depending on your condition and recommended treatment option. 

To get started, you can book a consultation online with one of our many experienced orthopaedic Consultants. This is a simple and fast process. You can also book your consultation by calling 0808 252 3283, or by making an email enquiry.  

To familarise yourself with the many treatment options for back pain that we offer, you can read our informative, in-depth treatment pages. This could help you to decide which treatment option might suit you best. 

At your consultation, you will likely receive important diagnostic testing and discuss the right treatment option for you with your Consultant. 

Why Keith went private for spinal surgery

 Keith had spinal surgery at The Alexandra Hospital in Manchester to treat a painful cyst on his lower back. Find out how the surgery transformed his life.

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