Conditions include:

• degenerative disease of the cervical or lumbar spine.
• myelopathy (spinal cord injury or inflammation).
• lumbar disc prolapse (a herniated or bulging disc that may press on nerves in the lower back)
• lumbar canal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal).
• intradural spinal tumours (tumours inside the spinal canal), such as meningiomas and ependymomas.

Investigation

MRI scan: this is similar to a CT scan but uses magnetism rather than x-rays. We have access to both the conventional and upright MRI that potentially provides more dynamic information. It can be slightly uncomfortable and noisy, and can make some patients feel claustrophobic: it takes around 30 minutes. You cannot have an MRI if you have a pacemaker or any kind of metal implant in your body.

Treatment

Conservative treatment: nine out of ten patients with sciatica feel better after six to eight weeks of conservative treatment and the majority do not require surgery.

Surgery: Peter Bullock regularly treats a range of spinal conditions using minimally invasive microsurgery, thus ensuring a quicker recovery time for patients. Post operatively the patients have access to the dedicated neurophysiotherpists and hydrotherapy at The London Clinic.

Follow-up: combined rehabilitation.