Neurosurgery

Neck and back pain, although common, can understandably be a cause for concern. Sometimes it can be as a result of poor posture, or from muscle strain after vigorous activity. This type of pain is normally brief, and you’ll likely feel better after a period of rest. When pain persists over a longer period of time, however, it could indicate that there is something more serious going on. 

With complex structures within the nervous system, persistent pain in your neck, back, arms, or legs could be related to a number of conditions, and only a full diagnosis will provide any answers.  

At The Beardwood, our expert Neurosurgery team are available for consultations for patients with certain brain conditions, with a focus on elective care, rather than emergencies. Typical conditions include: 

• Brain tumours 
• Pituitary tumours 
• Hydrocephalus (an abnormal build up of cerebrospinal fluid around the brain) 
• Trigeminal Neuralgia (severe pain in the face) 

Neurosurgery also deals with any and all structural spinal conditions, such as: 

• Slipped discs 
• Spinal tumours 
• Neck & Arm pain from a cervical disc prolapse 

The majority of patients seen by our consultants present with symptoms such as neck pain from a slipped disc, a trapped nerve in the neck, or general back and leg pain due to sciatica. Occasionally there will be patients who present with slightly rarer issues, like compression of the spinal cord. 

Our Neurosurgical experts are well versed in the field, and will be able to diagnose rare conditions too, such as Syringomyelia, where a cyst (known as a syrinx) forms inside your spinal cord, causing damage and compression as it grows, as well as Chiari malformation (where brain tissue pushes into the spinal canal). These conditions can have a host of symptoms, such as headaches at the back of your head, weakness, mobility issues and loss of bladder/bowel control. 

There are many reasons why you might seek a consultation with one of our neurosurgeon experts. Usually, symptoms related to various spinal conditions may prompt you to seek advice, and we would always recommend booking an initial consultation with our Neurosurgery consultants should you have any concerning symptoms. 

The first priority at any initial consultation is to establish a diagnosis. Your consultant will take a full medical history and listen to you describe the symptoms you’ve been experiencing. If necessary, your consultant may ask for a physical examination, and additional tests may be required. 

These tests often take the form of an MRI or CT scan. You may already have had a scan if you have been referred to us. If not, diagnostic scans can be carried out on-site here at the Beardwood, ensuring that any necessary tests are carried out quickly. 

With results in hand, your consultant can then give advice on all your treatment options and what to expect from them. They will also outline a prognosis of what would happen if you do nothing at this stage, so you are armed with all the relevant information. 

The Beardwood prides itself on championing a multidisciplinary approach to patient care. As such, depending on the findings of your diagnostic scans, consultants from other specialities may be drafted in for their particular expertise. As part of Neurosurgery, focusing on structural elements of the spinal cord and the brain, we also work very closely with our Neurology colleagues, who focus on the function of the nervous system and various neurological conditions, such as MS, epilepsy, headaches and migraines. This shared set of knowledge enables us to offer you the best care package for your needs. 

Despite the name ‘neurosurgery’, our approach to treatment is always conservative, where possible, and many patients won’t require surgery.  

Patients suffering from a slipped disc, for example, likely won’t need any surgical intervention. Once a diagnosis has been made, our team can offer treatment plans focused on pain management, with the use of steroid injections and physiotherapy often helping to alleviate your symptoms. 

If these and other measures have proved ineffective, surgery may be the best option.  

The majority of surgeries, such as a lumbar decompression (used to treat compressed nerves in your spine), can be carried out at The Beardwood itself, ensuring a level of familiarity for our patients throughout their treatment. Specific brain surgeries may need to be done elsewhere, but these can all be set up through your consultant here. 

Should you undergo surgery at The Beardwood, we have an experienced theatre team to support you during your operation, as well as specialist nurses on the wards to assist you during your recovery. Any necessary physiotherapy needed for your rehabilitation period will be arranged while you are on the premises, visiting you on the ward after your surgery to help get you walking again and demonstrate exercises for you to try at home. 

Assessments ASAP – Certain brain conditions respond best when diagnosed at the earliest opportunity. By seeing patients rapidly, our consultants can get you started on the right course of treatment as soon as possible. 

Patient Satisfaction – 98.1% of other patients in 2019 said they would happily recommend the Beardwood Hospital to friends and family in an independent report, and we’re confident that you’ll agree. 98.6% also said that the quality of care here at Beardwood Hospital was either ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’. We aim to make your stay with us as comfortable as possible, and these results highlight our continued efforts to ensure this is achieved. 

Personalised care – We believe in a bespoke approach to treatment, tailoring each experience to our patients’ needs and whatever may be best for you. 

Remote Consultation – All our consultants have remote access to scans, and this has made the world of difference for both patients and consultants alike. If your consultant is working at one of our other sites and needs to see your latest scan, you won’t have to wait for an on-site consultation or clinic, reducing wait times and ensuring you can be contacted for an ad hoc appointment to get advice at any point through your treatment plan. 

A Multi-disciplinary Approach – Our teams at The Beardwood work in tandem with each other to provide you with the best possible care from start to finish. Working closely with Neurologists, as well as a dedicated team of radiographers, physiotherapists, anaesthetists, and nurses, you have support from medical professionals every step of the way during your treatment. 

Convenient appointments – With appointments available between 8am and 8pm Monday-Sunday, you are sure to find an appointment slot that suits your needs and availability.  

Free Parking – We know that parking should be the least of your worries when attending hospital, so to make life easier our car park is free of charge. In order to validate your parking, all you need to do is register your details with us at reception when you arrive. 

If you have a pre-existing brain condition that needs managing, or you’ve experienced debilitating symptoms such as neck and arm pain, why not get in touch with our reception team today to book a consultation? Our consultants can organise the necessary diagnostic tests to investigate your symptoms, and outline all treatment options for you promptly, arranging any further scans or surgery if required.  

For peace of mind and expert care, please contact The Beardwood to book an appointment now.