Expert assessment for back, neck and nerve problems
Back and neck problems are very common. They can cause pain, stiffness, numbness, tingling or weakness and may affect your work, sleep, exercise and everyday life.
At Integrity Spine Care, Honorary Professor Tony Bateman, Consultant Spine Surgeon, provides specialist assessment and treatment for a wide range of spinal conditions.
The first step is understanding what is causing your symptoms. Seeing a spine surgeon does not mean that you need surgery. Many spinal problems improve without an operation, and treatment is tailored to your symptoms, lifestyle and individual needs.
What symptoms are you experiencing?
You do not need to know your diagnosis before seeing a specialist. You may simply know where it hurts or how your symptoms are affecting you.
Explore some of the common spinal problems we assess and treat.
Sciatica
Sciatica is pain caused by irritation or pressure on the nerves that form the sciatic nerve.
Pain often starts in the buttock and travels down the leg. You may also experience tingling, numbness or weakness.
Common causes include a slipped or herniated disc and spinal stenosis.
Most people with sciatica do not need surgery. If symptoms persist or become severe, further assessment and treatment may be helpful.
Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain is extremely common and can have many causes.
Pain may come from the muscles, joints, discs or other structures of the spine. Although it is not always possible to identify the structure responsible for causing back pain, there are sometimes specific targeted treatments that can be helpful.
Most episodes improve with time, movement and appropriate self-management. Persistent or severe pain may benefit from further assessment.
Learn more about lower back pain →
Slipped or Herniated Disc
The discs sit between the bones of your spine and act as cushions.
A disc can sometimes bulge or herniate. This is commonly called a slipped disc, although the disc does not actually slip out of place.
If the disc presses on a nerve in the lower back, it can cause sciatica, with pain, tingling, numbness or weakness extending into the leg.
Many slipped discs improve naturally. When symptoms do not settle, treatments may include medication, physiotherapy, spinal injections and, in selected patients, surgery.
Learn more about slipped discs →
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis means narrowing of the space available for the nerves within the spine.
In the lower back, this can cause pain, aching, heaviness, numbness or weakness in the legs, particularly when standing or walking.
Some people find that their symptoms improve when sitting or leaning forwards.
Treatment depends on the severity of your symptoms and how much they affect your everyday life.
Learn more about lumbar spinal stenosis →
Spondylolisthesis
Spondylolisthesis occurs when one of the bones of the spine moves forwards relative to the bone below it.
Some people have no symptoms. Others develop lower back pain, sciatica or symptoms from narrowing around the spinal nerves.
Treatment can range from exercise and physiotherapy through to injections or surgery in selected cases.
Learn more about spondylolisthesis →
Neck Pain
Neck pain can arise from the muscles, joints, discs and other structures within the cervical spine.
Most neck pain is not caused by a serious problem and often improves with simple measures.
If neck pain persists or is accompanied by pain, numbness or weakness in an arm or hand, specialist assessment may be appropriate.
Cervical Radiculopathy – A Trapped Nerve in the Neck
A nerve in the neck can become irritated or compressed, sometimes because of a disc prolapse or age-related changes within the cervical spine.
This is known as cervical radiculopathy.
It can cause pain travelling from the neck into the shoulder, arm or hand. You may also experience tingling, numbness or weakness.
Many cases improve without surgery. Persistent or severe symptoms may require further investigation and treatment.
Learn more about cervical radiculopathy →
Cervical Myelopathy
Cervical myelopathy occurs when the spinal cord is compressed within the neck.
Symptoms can include loss of hand dexterity, difficulty with buttons or handwriting, numbness or weakness in the hands, problems with balance or changes in the way you walk.
These symptoms are different from ordinary neck pain and should be assessed appropriately.
Learn more about cervical myelopathy →
Facet Joint Pain
Facet joints are small joints at the back of the spine that help control movement.
Like other joints, they can develop age-related changes and may sometimes contribute to persistent back or neck pain.
Treatment usually begins with non-surgical measures. In selected patients, diagnostic injections or treatments such as radiofrequency denervation may be considered.
Learn more about facet joint pain →
Not Sure What Is Causing Your Symptoms?
You do not need to diagnose yourself before arranging an appointment.
The pattern of your symptoms can sometimes provide useful clues.
Pain travelling down your leg?
This may be sciatica, which can be associated with a slipped disc or spinal stenosis.
Pain or heaviness in your legs when walking?
If symptoms improve when you sit down or lean forwards, lumbar spinal stenosis may be one possible cause.
Back pain without leg pain?
There are many possible causes of lower back pain. Most do not require surgery but there are sometimes specific treatments that can help.
Neck pain travelling into your arm?
Pain, tingling or numbness extending from the neck into the arm or hand can occur when a nerve in the neck becomes irritated or compressed.
Read about cervical radiculopathy →
Problems with balance or hand coordination?
Difficulty walking, loss of balance, weakness or reduced hand dexterity can sometimes occur when there is pressure on the spinal cord in the neck.
Read about cervical myelopathy →
How Are Spinal Conditions Diagnosed?
A diagnosis starts by listening carefully to your symptoms and understanding how they affect your life.
Your consultation will usually include:
- A discussion about your symptoms and medical history
- A clinical examination
- Review of any scans or previous investigations
- An explanation of the likely cause of your symptoms
- A discussion about the available treatment options
An MRI scan is not always necessary but can be helpful in directing further treatment. If further imaging or tests are appropriate, these can be discussed during and arranged following your assessment.
Do I Need Spine Surgery?
Most people with back or neck problems do not need an operation.
Depending on your condition, treatment may include:
- Advice and self-management
- Exercise and physiotherapy
- Medication
- Spinal injections
- Radiofrequency treatment
- Surgery
When surgery is considered, the potential benefits, risks and alternatives should be clearly understood before making a decision.
At Integrity Spine Care, our aim is to recommend surgery only when there is a reasonable expectation that it will help and when the potential benefits justify the risks.
When Should I Seek Urgent Medical Attention?
Most back and neck pain is not an emergency.
However, you should seek urgent medical assessment if you develop new symptoms such as:
- Loss of control of your bladder or bowel
- Numbness around your genitals, buttocks or inner thighs
- Rapidly developing or severe weakness in an arm or leg
- Significant problems with walking or balance
- Severe spinal pain associated with fever or feeling very unwell
- Severe pain following significant injury
New bladder or bowel problems together with numbness around the saddle area or severe leg weakness can be symptoms of cauda equina syndrome and require emergency assessment.
If you think you may have an emergency spinal problem, do not wait for a routine private appointment. Seek urgent medical care.
Specialist Spine Assessment
Honorary Professor Tony Bateman
Consultant Spine Surgeon
Honorary Professor Tony Bateman provides specialist assessment and treatment for patients with back, neck and spinal nerve problems.
His approach is based on understanding the individual patient, explaining the diagnosis in straightforward language and considering both non-surgical and surgical options.
Where surgery is appropriate, treatment options can include minimally invasive and endoscopic techniques as well as established conventional spinal procedures.
About Honorary Professor Tony Bateman →
Your Treatment Options
If you already have a diagnosis, you may wish to explore some of the treatments available at Integrity Spine Care.
Spinal injections
Including targeted injections used in the assessment and treatment of selected spinal conditions.
Nerve root injections
Targeted injections around an irritated spinal nerve.
Facet joint treatments
Including diagnostic procedures and radiofrequency treatment in appropriately selected patients.
Microdiscectomy
Surgery to relieve pressure on a spinal nerve caused by a herniated disc.
Endoscopic discectomy
A minimally invasive approach to treating selected disc prolapses through a small incision using an endoscope.
Lumbar decompression
Surgery to create more space for nerves compressed by spinal stenosis.
Cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF)
An operation used to treat selected conditions causing compression of the nerves or spinal cord in the neck.
Spinal fusion
Used for selected spinal conditions where stabilisation of part of the spine may be appropriate.
Arrange a Consultation
If back, neck, arm or leg symptoms are affecting your quality of life, a specialist assessment can help you understand the possible cause and your treatment options.
You do not need to know which treatment you need before arranging an appointment.
Book a consultation with Honorary Professor Tony Bateman
Integrity Spine Care
Consultant-led spinal care in Derby, Lincoln, Nottingham and the East Midlands.