Spinal Conditions Treated

I assess and treat a wide range of spinal conditions that may cause pain, neurological symptoms, reduced mobility, or loss of function.

Disc Herniation

A disc herniation occurs when the softer inner part of a spinal disc pushes through the outer layer and irritates or compresses a nearby nerve.

In the lower back, this often causes sciatica — pain travelling down the leg. In the neck, it can cause pain travelling into the shoulder, arm, or hand.

Symptoms may include:

  • Sharp, burning, or shooting pain
  • Pins and needles
  • Numbness
  • Altered sensation
  • Weakness
  • Difficulty sitting, driving, sleeping, or working

Many disc herniations improve without surgery. Treatment may involve time, physiotherapy, medication strategies, activity modification, or injections.

When pain remains severe, function is significantly affected, or weakness develops, surgery may be considered to relieve pressure on the affected nerve.

Depending on the anatomy and pattern of compression, this may be possible using endoscopic, minimally invasive, or microscopic techniques.

Nerve Compression, Sciatica and Radiculopathy

Nerve compression can occur from a disc herniation, spinal stenosis, bone spurs, thickened ligament, or a combination of factors.

“Sciatica” usually refers to nerve pain travelling down the leg from the lower back. “Radiculopathy” is the broader term for nerve root pain or neurological symptoms travelling down the arm or leg.

Because nerve symptoms can sometimes mimic hip, shoulder, knee, or peripheral nerve problems, careful assessment is important.

The aim is to identify the specific nerve involved, confirm whether imaging matches the symptoms, and determine whether treatment should be non-surgical, injection-based, or surgical.

Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis refers to narrowing around the spinal cord or nerve roots.

In the lower back, stenosis commonly causes symptoms in the legs rather than just the back. Patients may describe:

  • Leg pain or heaviness when walking
  • Reduced walking distance
  • Numbness or tingling
  • Symptoms improving when sitting or leaning forward

In the neck, stenosis may cause arm symptoms, weakness, hand clumsiness, balance problems, or difficulty with coordination. More advanced cervical stenosis can affect the spinal cord, a condition known as cervical myelopathy.

Not all stenosis requires surgery. However, when symptoms significantly affect walking, function, or neurological status, decompression surgery may be considered to create more space for the nerves or spinal cord.

Degenerative Disc Disease and Arthritis

Degenerative changes in the spine are common and do not always cause pain.

Disc degeneration, facet joint arthritis, ligament thickening, and bony overgrowth can all contribute to stiffness, back pain, neck pain, or nerve compression. The challenge is determining which findings are actually relevant to a patient’s symptoms.

Treatment may involve rehabilitation, strengthening, activity modification, injections, or surgery in selected cases.

Surgery is considered when there is a clear structural target and a reasonable expectation that intervention will improve pain, function, or neurological symptoms.

Chronic Back and Neck Pain

Persistent back or neck pain can be frustrating, particularly when scans show multiple abnormalities or when previous treatment has not helped.

Not all chronic spinal pain requires a surgical solution. A careful assessment helps determine whether pain is more likely disc-related, joint-related, nerve-related, instability-related, or due to a combination of factors, and whether a non-surgical treatment option could provide a reasonable chance of improvement.

The focus is on avoiding unnecessary procedures while also recognising structural problems that may benefit from targeted treatment.

Spinal Fractures and Osteoporotic Compression Fractures

Spinal fractures can occur after trauma, through osteoporosis, or due to underlying bone conditions.

Osteoporotic compression fractures often occur with minimal trauma or even normal physiological loading because the bone has become weak. In these cases, the underlying osteoporosis is a major part of the problem.

Treatment focuses primarily on pain control, safe mobilisation, and medical management of bone health to reduce the risk of further fractures. This may involve coordination with a GP, physician, or other specialist for osteoporosis assessment and treatment.

Most compression fractures can be managed without surgery.

In selected cases where pain remains severe and persistent despite appropriate non-surgical management, vertebroplasty may be considered. Timing matters: vertebroplasty is generally most useful when performed before the vertebra has completely collapsed.

More severe fractures, particularly those associated with instability or neurological compromise, may require surgical stabilisation.

Spinal Deformity

Spinal deformity includes scoliosis, kyphosis, and adult degenerative deformity.

Some deformities are longstanding and stable. Others progress due to degeneration, imbalance, fractures, or instability.

Symptoms may include:

  • Back pain and fatigue
  • Difficulty standing upright
  • Imbalance
  • Reduced walking tolerance
  • Nerve-related symptoms

Not all spinal deformities require surgery. Treatment may involve observation, physiotherapy, symptom management, or surgery in selected cases where deformity is progressive, painful, or significantly affecting function.

Tumours Affecting the Spine

Tumours affecting the spine may cause pain, structural weakening, instability, or nerve compression.

Management depends on the type of tumour, location, overall health, and whether there is neurological or structural risk. Treatment often involves coordination with oncology, radiology, and other specialists.

Surgery may be considered for biopsy to identify the type of tumour, decompression, stabilisation, or tumour removal in selected cases.