Spinal surgery

Living with back pain and other difficult symptoms of spinal problems can have a devastating impact on daily life. It can affect relationships, sleep, your social life and your mental health. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

You can often manage back pain with non-invasive treatment options such as painkillers, physiotherapy and heat therapy. If these methods do not help reduce your symptoms, you might require surgery. At Werndale Hospital, we offer a range of surgical treatment options to treat spinal pain.

With us, you’re in safe and caring hands. Our multidisciplinary teams of compassionate healthcare professionals are here to help you recover from pain and discomfort through surgery (if required) and deliver tailored care when and where you need it.

Beginning your journey to better health with us is easy. You can call us on 01267 225 600 or use our simple online booking system to book your initial consultation with a spinal specialist of your choice.

We offer a variety of surgical procedures for back pain, including: 

Spinal fusion surgery starting from £7,200*

Spinal fusion surgery can effectively treat chronic pain in your lumbar (lower) spine by mimicking the natural healing process of broken bones. The procedure involves fusing together two or more of your vertebrae (the bones that form your spinal cord) together using a bone graft. This helps your spine heal as a solid unit, helping reduce pain and restore function to your back. 

Lumbar spinal decompression surgery starting from £9,605*

Lumbar spinal decompression is performed to treat compressed nerves from a range of spinal issues, including spinal injuries and a slipped disc in your back. There are three common forms of this procedure: 

Laminectomy: where a section of your bone is removed from one of your vertebrae (spinal bones). This helps alleviate pressure on the affected nerve. 

Discectomy: where a section of a damaged disc in your back is removed to alleviate pressure on your nerve(s). 

Spinal fusion: as noted above, this is where one or more of your vertebrae are fused together to strengthen and stabilise your spine. 

Spine injection for pain starting from £3,165*

These injections are also known as epidural steroid injections. They contains a steroid medicine, usually combined with local anaesthetic. Steroid injections help eliminate inflammation around your spinal cord, reducing pain and stiffness in your back in turn. 

*The prices that are shown above are an estimate for self-pay customers. The final cost of your knee treatment will always be confirmed in writing after your consultation. Further terms and conditions apply. 

Most people are able to walk within a day or two of their spinal surgery, if only for short distances. We aim to get you back on your feet within 24-48 hours of surgery wherever possible, as this is shown to improve recovery outcomes. 

The average time to return to walking unaided and without pain is around four to six weeks, however it will depend on your personal circumstances as well as which specific procedure you have had.

Your consultant will give you lots of information about what to expect from recovery, including a personalised timeline of when they expect you to reach milestones like walking unaided.

How soon you can travel after spinal surgery depends on what type of surgery you had and what type of travel you are considering. 

For example, recovery from minimally invasive spinal surgery is often faster than with open surgery, so you may be able to take short car trips after a week or two, and even consider a short flight after two to four weeks. After major surgery, you may be advised to avoid travelling by car for four weeks or more, and a short flight might not be considered safe until six to eight weeks have passed.

For long journeys, especially long-haul flights, it can be 12 weeks or more after certain procedures before you're considered safe to fly.

The most important thing is to speak to your surgeon, who will understand your personal circumstances well and can advise on your individual case.

Before any significant travel, you should also speak to your travel insurance provider. You may need to update your policy to reflect the fact you've had surgery, and it may be that your existing cover is no longer valid.

At Werndale Hospital, we help people living in Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and further afield. With us, you can benefit from: 

• Expert care from a compassionate team 
• Stringent checks and processes to ensure your safety at all times 
• Free, easy-to-access parking around the clock 
• Catering services to suit your dietary requirements 
• Ensuite hospital rooms with Wi-Fi and a TV
• Sophisticated onsite diagnostic equipment, including MRI and CT scanning  
• A physiotherapy and rehabilitation department to facilitate your fast recovery 
• Exceptional ratings, with 99.8% of patients likely to recommend us to their friends and family 
• Rapid diagnosis and effective private treatment for knee pain 

Get started by booking an appointment online or phoning a member of our advisory team on 01267 225 600.

There are several benefits of going private with us, including: 

• Consultant-led care with a knee specialist of your choice 
• Consistent care from the same multidisciplinary team of experts throughout 
• Bespoke treatment plans based around you 
• Fixed price packages with aftercare included 
• Skip the waiting list with fast access to treatment 
• Flexible payment options to help you spread the cost of your care 

To book your initial consultation with one of our orthopaedic and spinal surgeons near you, use our online booking system, or give us a call and one of our dedicated advisors will help you find an appointment time that suits you.