Your spinal cord consists of nerves that move from your brain to other parts of your body. A narrowing of the space around your spinal cord, also known as your spinal column, can cause your spinal nerves to become compressed. As a result, you might experience pain in your back or one or both legs.
At The Hampshire Clinic, your joint pain will be investigated by an Orthopedic Surgeon who will perform a physical assessment to identify the potential causes of your symptoms. If this assessment shows that compressed spinal nerves are causing your hip, leg or back pain, you could be offered one of the following procedures:
Spinal anaesthetic injection starting from £2,302*
A spinal anaesthetic injection provides temporary pain relief by numbing the part of your body where you are experiencing pain. It involves an anaesthetic injection into your subarachnoid space (an area near your spinal cord).
Lumbar spinal decompression surgery starting from £9,900*
Lumbar (lower back) spinal decompression surgery is an operation performed to treat compressed nerves in your spinal cord. Your Orthopaedic Surgeon at The Hampshire Clinic will consider surgery after initial treatment such as pain relief medication, spinal injection therapy and physiotherapy have not helped alleviate your symptoms.
Lumbar spinal decompression surgery can remove pressure on your spinal cord and nerves, which, in turn, can relieve your leg pain and any numbness or weakness in your legs. In most cases, this surgery is performed to treat a condition known as spinal stenosis (a narrowing of your spinal canal or column).
Lumbar laminectomy
Lumbar laminectomy is a spinal procedure where your Surgeon will make an incision in your back to access the nerve that is compressed. This compressed nerve is then pulled towards the middle of your spinal column and any tissue that is applying pressure on your nerves is removed.
Lumbar discectomy
During a lumbar discectomy, a section of your slipped or herniated disc (a tear in the disc that sits between your vertebrae or spinal bones) is removed. If your surgery uses a microscope to examine the structures in this area in more detail. This procedure is called a microdiscectomy.
Spinal fusion surgery
A spinal fusion operation is when two or more of your vertebrae are joined together through a piece of bone sourced from another part of your body or a donor. This is known as a bone graft. Your Surgeon might use screws to secure this bone fusion in place.
Your spinal surgery at The Hampshire Clinic could be performed by one of our Orthopaedic or Spinal Surgeons.
*This is a guide price for treatment when paying for yourself. The initial consultation and diagnostics are not included in the price. Prices are confirmed in writing after initial consultation with a Consultant Specialist. Aftercare may vary depending on your treatment. Further terms and conditions apply.
There are many reasons, including:
- Spinal stenosis: As you age, the bones and tissue in your spine can wear out, causing your spinal column (the space around your spinal cord) to narrow. This causes the nerves within your spinal cord to become compressed, which can result in pain and weakness in your legs.
- Cauda equina syndrome: This refers to a severe form of spinal stenosis that occurs when the nerves in your lumbar region (lower back) become compressed. You could experience a worsening numbness or weakness in your legs, as well as an inability to control your bowel movements or urination.
- Herniated disc: A slipped disc, also referred to as a herniated disc, develops when the coating of your disc (which sits between each of the bones of your spine) become torn. This slipped disc can push against the nerves surrounding your spine, causing leg pain and numbness.
- Spinal injuries or tumours: Unfortunately, a spinal injury, such as a dislocation or fracture (broken bone) can place pressure on your nerves and spinal cord. Tumours that develop across your spine can also put pressure on your spinal cord. These are often benign (non-cancerous) tumours.
Your Orthopaedic Surgeon will work with our dedicated team of specialists at The Hampshire Clinic, including Radiologists, Anaesthetists and Physiotherapists to confirm your diagnosis and treat your symptoms.
Your Physiotherapist will create an exercise plan tailored to your requirements. This will include leg or back exercises to relieve symptoms such as pain or swelling and help strengthen the muscles in these areas.
At The Hampshire Clinic, your spinal surgery could be performed by one of our Orthopaedic Surgeons that are specialised in spinal surgery. If you are advised to have surgery, your Consultant will explain what will happen during the operation.
Prior to your surgery at The Hampshire Clinic in Basingstoke, you may need to attend a preoperative assessment. At your preoperative assessment, your Nurse will perform a blood test and potentially another MRI scan to assess the condition of your spine. Your Nurse will also measure your blood pressure, heart rate and weight.
During this preoperative assessment, you will have the opportunity to learn more about your procedure and share any concerns or questions or that you might have.
Your spinal surgery: what to expect
On the day of your operation at The Hampshire Clinic, you will be taken to a safe and COVID-secure operating theatre. You will be requested to lie down on your stomach to provide your Surgeon with access to your spine.
Your Consultant or an Anaesthetist will administer general anaesthetic. After general anaesthetic has been administered, your Surgeon will create an incision in the centre of your back. The muscles in your back will be moved to access your spine. Your Surgeon will slowly remove the part of your tissue (nerves or bone) that is placing pressure on your spinal cord and surrounding nerves.
Depending on the cause of your compressed spinal nerves, you could require one or more of the following spinal procedures:
Lumbar spinal decompression surgery
Lumbar decompression surgery is an operation that involves removing your lamina (the bony arches in your back) to create more space for the nerves in your spine. After your Surgeon has gained access to your lamina through an incision in the middle of your back, they will remove some of your bone to reach your spinal column. The joints above the roots of your nerves, also known as your facet joints, can then be trimmed to remove pressure on your nerves.
Lumbar laminectomy
Your Consultant could perform a laminectomy if your diagnosis shows that a part of your bone is putting pressure on your nerves. During a laminectomy, your Consultant will shift your compressed nerve toward the middle of your spinal column and remove the section of your bone that is placing pressure on your nerves.
Lumbar discectomy
A discectomy can be carried out to remove the section of your damaged disc that is putting pressure on your spinal nerves.
Spinal fusion surgery
A spinal fusion is an operation where a bone graft (a section of bone from another area of your body or a donor) is placed between two or more of your vertebrae (spinal bones) to connect these bones. This can minimise movement between these vertebrae and lower the likelihood of your surrounding nerves becoming compressed.
After your operation, your incision will be closed with stitches or staples that will need to be removed by your Consultant at your next appointment.
As well as providing you with fast access to a diagnosis and treatment, there are several benefits to having treatment at The Hampshire Clinic, such as:
- Personalised Consultant-led care with our team of specialists ready to support you at every step of your healthcare journey;
- Affordable treatment prices that can be paid for using your private medical insurance or through our different payment plans;
- Flexible payment plans that allow you to spread the cost of your treatment across five years and free of any interest during the first 12 months, and
- The freedom to choose your appointment at the click of a button when you book online or call a member of our team directly.
At The Hampshire Clinic, the price of your spinal procedure will depend on your diagnosis and subsequent treatment plan.
If you require spinal injection therapy, this can cost around £2,302* at The Hampshire Clinic. Lumbar spinal decompression surgery to treat compressed spinal nerves can cost around £9,900*.
The final cost of your treatment at The Hampshire Clinic will be confirmed in writing after your initial consultation.
Set on the outskirts of Basingstoke, our hospital is easily accessible via the M3 and M4 motorways for patients located in Newbury, Hampshire and Basingstoke.
Our latest patient satisfaction survey shows 98% of our patients would recommend The Hampshire Clinic to their friends or family. With affordable costs and fast access to Consultant-led care, there are many benefits to having treatment at The Hampshire Clinic, including:
- The latest imaging equipment to provide you with fast access to a diagnosis;
- En-suite rooms with TV and shower;
- A fully-equipped physiotherapy department with hydrotherapy sessions available onsite;
- A team of medical officers available 24-hours a day, and
- Exceptional patient satisfaction rates with nearly 98% of our patients rating their quality of care as excellent or very good.
At The Hampshire Clinic, we are always here to help.
Content reviewed by Circle in-house team in October 2021. Next review due October 2024.
