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Back surgery

With some of most experienced specialist spinal consultants based at Spire Roding Hospital, Redbridge, it’s little wonder that we see patients from all over East London, Essex and the South East to treat for anything ranging from back and leg pain with spinal decompression, right through to extremely complex spinal surgery requiring the insertion of metal rods and cages to stabilise a crumbling spine. After your surgery, Spire Roding's team of physiotherapists will work with you throughout your stay; they will also continue to see you as an out patient after you return home, until you're on the way to a full recovery.


What kinds of back surgery are available?

There are various different operations to relieve back pain caused by nerve compression. The exact operation that you will have depends on the cause of the pain.

Some of the most common procedures are a discectomy, nerve root or spinal decompression and spinal fusion. Sometimes, more than one procedure is done during a single operation. Your surgeon will explain which is most suitable for you and the benefits and risks of having a back operation, together with any alternatives. 

Click here for more information about back surgery

 

Balloon kyphoplasty

A minimally invasive treatment for vertebral (spinal) compression fractures

A vertebral compression fracture (VCF) can cause severe back pain, limit your mobility, change the shape of your spine and affect your quality of life. Balloon kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure designed to stabilise the fracture and to help correct the vertebral deformity. 


What is a vertebral compression fracture?

The bones in your spine are called vertebrae. The front part of each vertebra is called the vertebral body. A vertebral compression fracture (VCF) occurs when the vertebral body fractures and collapses.

Most VCFs are caused by osteoporosis, a disease in which bones become fragile and are more likely to break. VCFs cause your spine to shorten and bend forward. This results in a hunched-over shape called kyphosis, which can cause chronic pain, breathing problems, loss of appetite and sleeping problems. When you have one or more VCFs, your general health can be seriously compromised.


The four steps of balloon kyphoplasty

Before the treatment, you will have a medical examination and diagnostic studies (such as x-rays) to identify the vertebral compression fracture(s) causing your back pain.

Balloon kyphoplasty can be performed while you are under general or local anaesthesia. Your consultant will discuss which option is most appropriate for you. Generally, the procedure takes less than one hour per fracture treated. 

  1. The surgeon makes a narrow 1cm incision in your back and creates a very small pathway into the fractured bone.
  2. A small balloon is inserted into the fractured vertebral body.
  3. Next, the consultant carefully inflates the balloon to correct the deformity of the collapsed vertebral body. The balloon is then removed, leaving a cavity within the vertebra.
  4. This cavity is filled with a bone cement to stabilise and fixate the fractured vertebra.

These four steps are performed on both sides (left and right) of the vertebral body. Your consultant will discuss with you how quickly you can leave the hospital and return to your daily activities.


Understanding the risks

As with any surgical procedure, there are potential risks with the balloon kyphoplasty procedure. The procedure is designed to avoid these risks as much as possible, but there is a very small chance that complications may occur. You and your consultant should discuss the possible risks associated with this treatment and whether it's right for you, as not all patients will benefit from this procedure.


Benefits of balloon kyphoplasty
  • Provides fast and sustained pain relief
  • Improves your ability to perform activities of daily living
  • Allows patients to keep an upright posture
  • Improves quality of life
  • Corrects the spinal deformity caused by a VCF


With thanks to Medtronic Inc (2008) for supplying patient information

Who specialises in balloon kyphoplasty at Spire Roding Hospital?

At Spire Roding, the procedure is performed by Mr Ben Okafor (FRCS, FRCS (Orth.), MBBS), who has over 15 years experience of operating on patients with complex spinal problems.

Visit Mr Okafor's website

Read more about balloon kyphoplasty on Mr Ben Okafor's website

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Our back specialists


As well as all aspects of back surgery, both surgeons are highly experienced in general orthopaedic and lower limb conditions affecting the knees, hips, joints and feet.

We also have consultant neurosurgeons who specialise in spinal and spinal nerve conditions.

Looking after your back

In the January 2010 edition of 'At Home' magazine ('Choosing Your Consultant' supplement), our orthopaedic surgeon, Mr Ben Okafor, gives some sensible, everyday tips to help preseve the health of your back.

View Mr Okafor's article.

Call 020 8709 7878 to make an appointment

Call us now to come and see one of our experts at your convenience.
 

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© Spire Healthcare Limited (2009)