Neurosurgery

Neurosurgery is a specialised field of medicine focused on the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of problems affecting the central nervous system (brain and spine) and the peripheral nervous system (those parts outside the brain and spine). A doctor who specialises in this area is known as a Consultant Neurosurgeon.

At The Park Hospital in Nottingham, our highly experience neurosurgeons help people aged 18+ for a wide range of conditions and symptoms. They would be delighted to help you too.

Common conditions people visit our neurosurgeons for help with include:

• Slipped disc
• Spinal trauma
• Brain or spinal tumour
• Nerve compression
• Degenerative conditions (e.g. osteoporosis in the spine)

Problems within the nervous system can cause certain symptoms, including:

• Back pain
• Neck pain
• Sciatica
• Arm pain
• Weakness
• Loss of sensation

If you would appreciate assessment and expert advice about treatment, it is very easy to book a private appointment at a time that is most convenient to you. We look forward to welcoming you to The Park Hospital soon. 

Given the complexity of the nervous system and the effects it can have on any part of the body, neurosurgery is usually only carried out when other treatments have not been successful in managing your symptoms.

Many symptoms and conditions can be managed effectively with non-surgical (conservative) treatments, including include pain optimisation and physiotherapy.

Some conditions, like as a slipped disc, may get better on their own with adequate rest. If problems continue, a spinal injection may be considered. This could be for diagnostic purposes (to help confirm the precise source of your pain) or for therapeutic reasons (to reduce inflammation and pain). Because they need to be given into precisely the right area, these injections are often given by experienced radiologists using X-ray guidance. Spinal injections can be very effective in managing pain and other symptoms.

If these injections are only able to provide you with short term relief, surgery may be advised.

The type of surgery you may need will depend on your specific condition. Options include:

• Discectomy (removing damaged discs from your spinal column)
• Disc replacement
• Craniotomy (for removal of a brain tumour or blood clot on the brain, or for repair of leaking blood vessels)
• Lumbar decompression (to treat compressed nerves in your spine)
• Spinal fusion (fusing of the spine for stability)
• Pituitary and skull base surgery

Many neurosurgeries can be carried out nowadays using keyhole (minimally invasive) techniques. Because only small incisions are made in the skin using this approach, it can result in reduced blood loss, tissue damage, and post-operative pain, as well as less visible scarring and a faster recovery. 

When you visit us for your first consultation, your consultant will take a medical history and will discuss your symptoms with you in detail. They will want to know things like:

• What are your symptoms?
• When di they start / when did you first notice them?
• Have you received any previous treatments for your symptoms?
• Are you currently taking any medication?
• What impact are your symptoms having on daily life?
• Do you have any underlying medical conditions? 

As part of your consultation, they may carry out a neurological examination to assess your motor responses and reflexes.

Due to the intricate and complex anatomy of the spine, diagnostic imaging is often needed to aid diagnosis. Many people who visit us will have had a scan of some type already (often an MRI scan), but we can arrange for you to have any investigations needed. Our on-site imaging capabilities include X-ray, CT, MRI, and ultrasound, and experienced radiologists provide rapid reporting.

Once any scan results are back, your consultant will talk to you about what they show, your diagnosis, and what treatment options may be most suitable for you.

If surgery is required, they will explain the operation to you and discuss the expected benefits, possible complications, and risks you need to be aware of. If you have any questions or concerns, this is the ideal time to talk through them with your consultant.

You will always have the details you need to make an informed decision about your treatment.  

Many of our patients are from Nottingham and the surrounding areas, while others travel to us from further away such as Derbyshire and Lincolnshire to get expert help faster.

You may have been referred to us from your GP or physiotherapist for further investigation. Alternatively, you might have been referred by a consultant in another speciality, such as hip and shoulder surgery, rheumatology, or neurology. While a medical referral can be helpful, you can self-refer to avoid delay in getting the help you need. 

Choosing The Park Hospital for a private neurosurgery appointment comes with a host of benefits, including: 

• Fast access to an expert – When you need any type of neurosurgery, you will appreciate being seen as soon as possible.  We can arrange a private consultation for you without delay, so that you can get expert guidance and any treatment required at the earliest date.
• Convenient appointments – Private appointments are available throughout the week. For your convenience, we can also offer remote consultations by telephone or video call if required (and where clinically appropriate).
• Consultant-led care – Your consultant will oversee every stage of your care, from initial appointment through to treatment planning, diagnosis, treatment, and post-treatment follow-up. You will never have to worry about being treated by a more junior doctor.
• Superb facilities and equipment – Our hospital has 4 operating theatres, ensuring waiting times for surgery are never long. With rapid access to advance diagnostic imaging and modern treatments, including keyhole surgery, you will always receive the help and support you need.
• Depth of Experience – Neurosurgery is a very specialised field, requiring extensive training and experience. Our neurosurgeons have a high volume of day-to-day work at The Park Hospital, so you can have the utmost confidence in your surgeon’s abilities.
• A Safe environment – Our 5-bedded, Level 2 and 3 Critical Care Unit provides a fully staffed private intensive care team, one that closely mirrors similar units in the NHS and allows complex surgery to be carried out in a safe environment.
• A wider team – Your consultant is assisted in their work by a wider healthcare team on-site, including physiotherapists, physiotherapists, anaesthetists, radiologists, and nurses. With rapid access to any member of this wider team, you will always receive the expert help you need at every stage.
• Patient satisfaction – In an independent survey, 98.4% of patients said they were likely or highly likely to recommend The Park Hospital to friends and family.
• On-site parking – It is easy to get to us and our on-site car park has 178 spaces, meaning you won’t need to worry about where to park when you visit.

A private consultation can help give you clarity about the best way forward. Why not book your visit with us today? We very much look forward to welcoming you to The Park Hospital and helping you to get the support you need as soon as possible.