Treatment starts with a diagnosis and a discussion about what matters to you. An appointment with a spine surgeon does not mean that you need an operation.
Non-surgical care
Depending on the condition, options may include information and self-management, exercise, physiotherapy and medication. Some symptoms improve over time without any invasive treatment.
Injections and pain procedures
For selected patients, Professor Bateman may discuss an epidural or nerve root injection. Medial branch blocks can help assess whether facet joints contribute to pain. Radiofrequency denervation may be considered when the assessment supports it.
Further information
Surgery
Operations offered for particular conditions include lumbar microdiscectomy, endoscopic discectomy or decompression, standard lumbar decompression, various cervical procedures and lumbar fusion. Vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty may be considered for some painful vertebral fractures.
Each procedure has a different purpose. Some aim to relieve pressure on a nerve, some to protect the spinal cord, and others to stabilise part of the spine. The expected benefit, limitations, alternatives and risks will be discussed before you decide.
