Spine Surgery

While some spine conditions can be treated non-surgically through conservative methods, spine surgery may be necessary to treat more serious spinal injuries and conditions, such as:

• Herniated Disc: Also known as a slipped disc, a herniated disc is an injury of the spine or the backbone. This occurs when the nucleus (gel-like material inside the spinal discs) breaks through the annulus (rubbery exterior covering the nucleus) and presses on spinal nerves, which causes pain and inflammation.
• Sciatica: This refers to pain that arises from a herniated disc putting pressure on the sciatic nerve – the longest nerve in the body running from the lower back through the buttocks and down the legs. Typically, this affects one side of the body and causes numbness and tingling sensation, as well as the sensation of pain shooting down the leg.
• Spinal Stenosis: Spinal stenosis occurs when one or more nerve passageways and the spinal nerves narrow, putting pressure on the spinal cord and the spinal nerve roots. This is commonly caused by arthritis or joint degeneration. Symptoms include back pain, burning pain and numbness in the buttocks or legs, as well as weakness in the legs.
• Degenerative Disc Disease: This occurs when the spinal discs – rubbery cushions between the bones in the spinal column (vertebrae) – wear down, causing pain in the neck or lower back and sometimes extending into the arms and hands or into the buttocks and legs. The spinal discs naturally degenerate with age, however injuries, obesity and performing physically demanding activities can increase the risk of developing degenerative disc disease.
• Spondylolisthesis: This condition occurs when the vertebra slips out of place onto the vertebra below it. Spondylolisthesis may be congenital, degenerative, or caused by injuries, diseases, or tumours. It may cause stiffness in the back, muscle spasms in the hamstring, difficulty walking or standing for long periods, and numbness or tingling in the foot.
• Vertebral Compression Fracture: This condition occurs when the vertebral body in the spine collapses, typically due to trauma and/or osteoporosis. Vertebral compression fractures can cause sudden severe back pain, deformity, and even loss of height.
• Spinal Tumours: A spinal tumour can be located within or surrounding the spinal cord and/or the spinal column. This tumour can be benign or malignant. These tumours can cause pain, loss of sensation, muscle weakness, loss of bowel or bladder function, or even paralysis.