Spinal Surgery – Comprehensive Care for Back & Spine Conditions
Spinal surgery is an extensive procedure that is designed to alleviate pain and address various structural imperfections, providing improved quality of life for patients with chronic back ailments. Whether it is injury, degenerative disease, or nerve compression… back surgery is often the final step when other treatment options have failed and you have exhausted steroids, physical therapy, medication, or massage therapy.
You may have spinal surgery for a number of reasons, such as nerve compression that has been ongoing, fractured vertebrae, tumours, or instability somewhere in the spinal column. This can cause disabling pain, numbness, or even weakness in the extremities. However, it is important to investigate more conservative treatments such as physical therapy, medication, and lifestyle modification before considering an operation. At Chase Lodge, we value patient education, adopting a holistic approach to our patients’ care and reserve surgery as a last option.
Types of Spinal Surgery Procedures
a. Surgery for Decompression of the Spinal Column
The purpose of spinal decompression surgery is to support the easing of pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots. This pressure can be due to conditions like herniated discs or spinal stenosis. It also may include taking out bone and disc material that is pressing on the nerves.
Although “surgery” can sound scary, many decompression procedures are minimally invasive, which results in smaller incisions, less trauma, and a faster recovery. Open surgery, however, may be required for complex cases.
b. Spinal Fusion Surgery
Spinal fusion is the process of fusing two or more vertebrae together to stabilise the spine. It is often used for degenerative disc disease, scoliosis, or fractures of the spine. Spinal Fusion is the removal of motion between the bones of the spine.
The long-term success of spinal fusion is also quite variable—some patients have decreased flexibility afterward, but others enjoy a significant decrease in pain and improvement in function. It’s a trade-off between mobility and stability, usually worth it after the conservative options have been exhausted.
c. Other Spinal Procedures
- Discectomy: Cuts away the crux the portion of a herniated disc compressing a nerve.
- Laminectomy: A procedure that removes part of the vertebrae to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves.
- Artificial Disc Replacement: A newer option to fusion, this surgery allows greater normal motion between vertebrae.
How Serious is Spinal Decompression Surgery?
All surgeries come with the risk of complications, and this is true for spinal decompression as well. Complications can include infection, nerve injury, or blood clots. They can be difficult to perform, but in good hands, the success rate is high, and many patients experience substantial pain relief.
On the more invasive end of the treatment spectrum is surgery, which is less conservative than treatments one can receive, such as physiotherapy or corticosteroid injections; however, for some, it demonstrates a more permanent resolution to complex spinal problems when conservative care has been unsuccessful. As always, a thorough risk-benefit consideration is necessary.
Who is a Candidate for Spinal Surgery?
Age is not the only restriction; general health is also important. Those with poor glucose control, high BMI, or known heart conditions are at high surgical risk. The general rule of treatment is that no imaging plus no symptoms should mean no treatment, said Dr Jeffrey S. Fischgrund, a spokesman for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and that’s particularly true of surgery, which he said surgeons typically recommend only when both imaging and symptoms clearly show a deformity that non-surgical options cannot handle.
Recovery Time for Spinal Surgery
Recovery is dependent upon the procedure:
- Decompression surgery: For most patients, 4 to 6 weeks to return to activity.
- Spinal fusion: May take 3–6 months before returning to normal, with gradual recovery of strength and function.
Post-surgical care involves pain control, rehabilitation, and refraining from any heavy lifting. Be on alert for warning signs such as infection, unusual swelling, or prolonged numbness.
What is the Average Cost of Spinal Surgery in the UK?
The cost of spinal surgery in the UK is even more variable between NHS and private healthcare. NHS services are free, but there can be long waiting lists.
- Decompression surgery: £8,000 to £12,000 privately.
- Spinal fusion: Up to £10,000–£20,000 or more.
Prices are based on hospital location, surgeon experience, and aftercare. At Chase Lodge Hospital, we offer clear prices and the best aftercare for a speedy recovery.
Risks and Long-Term Outcomes of Spinal Surgery
Although many patients experience relief of pain and restoration of mobility, there are risks associated with spinal surgery. A few, however, experience a condition such as Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS), adjacent segment disease, where the vertebrae next to the fused vertebrae degenerate.
However, if the surgery is performed by an experienced surgeon, then the results are excellent. Lifestyle habits in the longer term—ergonomic furniture, regular exercise, and posture correction—are key to maintaining the results.
Alternatives to Spinal Surgery
What many patients benefit from before having surgery:
- Workshops and physiotherapy: Enhancing strength, posture, and flexibility.
- Chiropractic treatment: Can provide relief from relatively minor misalignment problems.
- Epidural injections: They work to reduce swelling and pain temporarily.
What can also help are weight reduction and ergonomics. But when these are no longer successful and the quality of life deteriorates, surgery is an effective and sometimes life-changing remedy.
Conclusion
Spinal surgery, especially decompression and fusion, offers the possibility of freedom from chronic back and nerve pain. But it is important to consider non-surgical options first and be aware of both the potential advantages and risks of surgery.
At Chase Lodge Hospital, we use a team of expert spinal clinicians to design individualised treatment for each patient, to produce safe and comfortable results which will last a lifetime. If you’re thinking about getting spinal surgery, make an appointment to discuss all your options in clear and full detail.
