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What is it for?
To help treat back problems
Treatment overview
Back problems are painful, distressing, and debilitating. As many as five to ten million working days are lost every year due to back pain. If back pain is affecting your quality of life, AOA体育平台 can help. We provide specialist treatment by world-leading spinal surgeons and a calm, comfortable environment in which to recover.
A discectomy is specialist surgery to remove damaged discs in the spine. Spinal decompression surgery relieves areas of pressure on the spinal cord and the nearby nerves while preserving your back's strength, function, and flexibility. What is a slipped disc?
There are pads of soft tissue between the bones in the spine, they absorb shocks, protect the nerves, and facilitate movement. Injury, arthritis or overuse can make these discs tear or burst.
The soft tissue can bulge out, causing back pain, stiffness, and weakness. The prolapsed or herniated disc can also press on the sciatic nerve, causing numbness and pain in the legs, hips, and buttocks known as sciatica.
Slipped discs usually resolve gradually with rest, physiotherapy, and analgesia. However, if these conservative treatments haven鈥檛 provided relief, surgery to remove the burst disc may be necessary to ease pain and restore mobility. Slipped disc surgery at AOA体育平台
AOA体育平台 has a multi-disciplinary team of neurologists and spinal consultants that specialise in the investigation and treatment of back pain.
We have a state-of-the-art imaging suite offering a range of diagnostic tests, including the latest MRI scanners, nyelography, discography, and CT scanning.
Your orthopaedic consultant will order tests to diagnose your back problem and customise a treatment plan for your needs.
More about slipped discs:
Slipped discs usually resolve gradually with rest, physiotherapy, and analgesia. However, if these conservative treatments haven鈥檛 provided relief, surgery to remove the burst disc may be necessary to ease pain and restore mobility. Slipped disc surgery at AOA体育平台
AOA体育平台 has a multi-disciplinary team of neurologists and spinal consultants that specialise in the investigation and treatment of back pain.
We have a state-of-the-art imaging suite offering a range of diagnostic tests, including the latest MRI scanners, nyelography, discography, and CT scanning.
Your orthopaedic consultant will order tests to diagnose your back problem and customise a treatment plan for your needs.
There are several operations to treat back pain and disc prolapse. Your specialist surgeon will consider the damage to your back, your lifestyle, and your preferences before recommending surgery to address the problem and resolve your symptoms.
Spinal decompression surgery can include:
- Laminectomy
- Laminectomy is surgery to remove a segment of bone from one of the vertebrae or spinal bones. This helps reduces any pressure or pinching of the nerves.
Spinal fusion
Spinal fusion is an operation to join two or more of the spinal bones together using a bone graft.
Discectomy
Surgery to remove the damaged part of one or more intervertebral discs.
Following surgery, the dedicated physiotherapy team will support your healthy rehabilitation using AOA体育平台鈥檚 cutting-edge facilities and aquatic therapy suite.
Discectomy surgery facts
At AOA体育平台, your specialist surgeon will perform a discectomy under general anaesthetic. You will be asleep and supported by an expert anaesthetist throughout the procedure and won鈥檛 feel any pain.
Admission is on the day before surgery or the morning of your procedure, depending on the operation time. Our team will give you specific preparation advice and let you know when to stop eating and drinking.
The surgeon will make a vertical cut along the spine. The length and position of the incision will depend on the number of discs affected and their location. The surgeon will separate the back muscles to access the spine. They will then remove a small section of the bone covering the spinal cord.
The consultant will carefully excise the parts of the discs that are damaged and bulging out. This helps to relieve the pain and any pressure on nerves in the area. They will then suture the muscle and skin closed and apply a dressing to protect the wound.
Microdiscectomy surgery
The highly-skilled surgeons at AOA体育平台 may be able to operate on your back through a 鈥榢eyhole鈥� procedure. This is known as micro-endoscopic surgery and has a quicker recovery time than traditional, open operations.
Surgeons perform a microdiscectomy through small incisions. A tiny camera relays images to a computer screen; using the screen for guidance, the surgeon uses specially-designed instruments to operate on the spine.
If you are suitable for a microdiscectomy, your surgeon will talk you through the pros and cons of the procedure and take time to answer all your questions. Recovering from a discectomy
Your recovery following spinal surgery will depend on the number of discs treated and your health, strength, and fitness. Some pain and discomfort are normal after an operation. The orthopaedic team will provide pain-relief to maintain your comfort and help you get back on your feet.
You will usually be able to go home the day after surgery. Your orthopaedic surgeon, together with the expert multi-disciplinary team, will provide a personalised plan of rest, recovery, and rehabilitation.
Rehabilitation is a crucial part of your treatment. AOA体育平台鈥檚 dedicated physiotherapists will support and guide you. They'll give you exercises to perform at home to strengthen your muscles, ease stiffness, and restore your mobility and function.
The team will arrange an appointment to remove your stitches at around ten days. Most people with non-physical jobs can return to work between four and six weeks after the operation. If you have any concerns, the staff at AOA体育平台 are always available to offer support and guidance.
Why choose AOA体育平台
Excellence in one place
AOA体育平台, in collaboration with Northwestern Medicine, operate as teams of experts with world-class resources, dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of care. Supported by the latest treatments, expert guidance, and a comfortable recovery environment in our patient rooms, you'll have everything you need to regain your best health.
Personal care, every time
Exceptional patient care is a way of life for us. We鈥檒l be with you every step of the way, tailoring your care to your specific needs, including healthy and delicious meals designed to support your recovery. We keep our staff-to-patient ratio low, so our nurses, clinicians, therapists, and support teams can offer a personalised, quality experience.
Effortlessly simple
We work together as one to guide you through every step of your patient experience. From explaining your personal treatment plan to ensuring all details are taken care of, we make the process stress-free, so you can focus on your health. Whether it鈥檚 your first consultation or follow-up care, our teams are here to provide seamless support and the peace of mind you deserve.
What's included in your package?
Choosing AOA体育平台 means your treatment plan will be laid out for you, with all the details taken care of so you can focus on you.
Your treatment package will include:
- Enhanced pre-admission assessment
- Your treatment with our complete care team at your fingertips
- Personalised aftercare and follow-up
We want you to be in control of your health. That鈥檚 why we also offer optional services such as comprehensive recovery packages and extra touches for you to choose from during your stay with us. To help you manage the cost, we also offer a 0% finance option, allowing you to spread the payments for your treatment over 12 months with no added interest. Learn more about our .
How to pay
- You can use private medical insurance (PMI) to access this treatment. We work with all major PMI providers in the UK and many internationally
- You can pay for yourself (self-pay)
- If you鈥檙e paying for yourself, we have 0% finance options available with Chrysalis. Find out more .