Treatments

Spinal Surgery

Procedures, guidance and articles relating to spinal surgery.

The Harley Street Hospital — home to The London Spine Unit — is a recognised centre of excellence for spinal care. Our consultant spinal surgeons treat the full range of neck and back conditions, from back pain and sciatica to complex deformity, using the latest minimally invasive and motion-preserving techniques.

Many of our procedures are performed as day cases, often without a general anaesthetic, so patients can be up, walking and home the same day. We exhaust non-surgical options wherever possible — more than 90% of the patients we see are managed successfully without surgery — and rapid-access diagnostics, including same-day MRI, CT and low-dose EOS imaging, mean an accurate diagnosis without delay.

Specialist spinal treatments

Advanced, minimally invasive spinal care

From day-case laser and keyhole surgery to motion-preserving implants and image-guided pain management — many of our spinal treatments are performed without a general anaesthetic, with patients up and walking the same day.

Laser Disc Surgery

Laser Disc Surgery (percutaneous laser disc decompression) is one of the most advanced, minimally invasive ways to treat a prolapsed or bulging disc. A fine laser fibre is guided precisely into the disc and regulated laser energy is applied to shrink the bulge, relieving the pressure on trapped nerves.

It is a NICE-approved procedure with high success rates, performed as a day case — there are no large incisions and most patients return to normal activity within days. The procedure must be carried out by a specialist trained and experienced in the technique at a certified centre.

Conditions treated

Back pain
Sciatica
Radiculopathy (nerve pain)
Contained disc prolapse
Spinal stenosis

The Harley Street Hospital is an approved centre for laser spine treatments.

Learn more at The London Spine Unit →

Dynamic (Flexible) Stabilisation

Dynamic Stabilisation is a motion-preserving alternative to lumbar fusion surgery. Flexible titanium or silicone implants — spacers or flexible rods — are inserted through keyhole surgery between the vertebrae to provide a cushioning effect and offload the painful structures of the spine, such as facet joints, degenerate discs and strained muscles.

Unlike rigid fusion, it maintains movement at the treated level, which helps protect the discs above and below from accelerated wear.

Conditions treated

Back pain
Spinal stenosis
Foraminal stenosis causing sciatica
Facet joint pain
Disc degeneration

Our surgeons are among the UK’s leading experts in dynamic spinal stabilisation.

Spinal Disc Replacement

Disc Replacement Surgery replaces a degenerated disc with a mobile implant that preserves movement and retains the natural balance of the spine. It is an alternative to spinal fusion, which can place extra stress on adjacent discs and lead to accelerated degeneration and future problems.

It is particularly relevant where disc degeneration affects one or more levels, and requires specialist skills to achieve the best results.

Conditions treated

Back and neck pain
Sciatica
Trapped nerves
Bulging discs
Spinal stenosis

If you have been offered lumbar fusion surgery, we are happy to provide a second opinion.

Learn more at The London Spine Unit →

Keyhole Spinal Stenosis Day Surgery

Spinal stenosis — narrowing of the spinal canal — compresses the nerves and causes pain, tingling or numbness in the legs when walking or standing, with relief on sitting. It becomes increasingly common after the age of 40 and very common after 65.

Our revolutionary keyhole day-surgery decompresses the affected nerves while preserving bone and avoiding the instability that can follow a traditional laminectomy or open decompression.

Conditions treated

Spinal stenosis
Foraminal stenosis
Neurogenic claudication
Sciatica
Back pain

If you have been offered a laminectomy or open decompression, ask us about a day-surgery second opinion.

Learn more at The London Spine Unit →

Endoscopic (Keyhole) Spinal Surgery

Advances in camera technology and powerful lighting allow surgery through a thin tube with a camera at its tip — avoiding the need for large skin incisions. The surgeon can visualise nerves and blood vessels deep within the body and perform precision surgery, passing specialist instruments such as lasers through the same tube.

Recovery is far quicker than traditional open surgery, with most procedures performed under sedation and local anaesthetic as a day case.

Conditions treated

Back pain
Sciatica
Trapped nerves
Bulging or prolapsed discs
Spinal stenosis
Scarring around nerves from previous surgery

The Harley Street Hospital is a world leader in minimally invasive spinal surgery.

Learn more at The London Spine Unit →

Spinal Ozone Therapy

Disc degeneration and protrusion produce inflammation and chemical irritants that aggravate nerves and muscles, causing back pain and sciatica. Spinal Ozone Therapy injects ozone — a concentrated form of oxygen — which prompts the body to produce its own antioxidants.

These naturally formed chemicals help neutralise inflammation around the nerves, reducing pain and supporting healing. In suitable cases it is an effective, low-risk alternative to surgery, performed under sedation as a day case.

Conditions treated

Back pain
Sciatica
Lumbago
Muscle cramps
Facet joint pain
Disc degeneration

Offered for disc degeneration and inflammatory back pain.

Learn more at The London Spine Unit →

Balloon Kyphoplasty & Vertebroplasty

Vertebral compression fractures — often caused by osteoporosis — lead to pain, loss of height and a hunched posture, and are too often managed only with corsets, bed rest and strong painkillers. Balloon Kyphoplasty fixes the broken vertebra using a balloon inserted through a needle, which is inflated to restore the shape of the collapsed bone before bone cement is injected and hardens within minutes.

The majority of patients are able to get up and mobilise pain-free soon after the procedure, with posture, pain and mobility improving almost instantly.

Conditions treated

Osteoporotic compression fractures
Traumatic spinal fractures
Fractures from cancer metastases
Hunched posture from osteoporosis

Performed as a day-surgery procedure.

Learn more at The London Spine Unit →

Spinal Injections

Spinal injections using corticosteroid or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) are among the most common ways to reduce inflammation and swelling of the nerves, discs and muscles of the spine. They are low-risk, quickly relieve pain and improve mobility, and can be long-lasting when combined with a good exercise programme.

Injections are targeted at the source of pain — facet joint, nerve root or epidural — and are always performed under real-time image guidance for accuracy and safety.

Conditions treated

Back pain
Sciatica
Lumbago
Muscle cramps
Facet joint pain

Image-guided for precise, safe and comfortable treatment.

Learn more at The London Spine Unit →

Radiofrequency Denervation

Radiofrequency Denervation (and pulsed nerve-root ablation) uses radiofrequency energy to reduce the sensitivity of the small nerves that transmit pain from degenerated facet joints and irritated nerve roots. Special needles deliver the energy to the painful structures, desensitising them and giving long-term relief in most cases.

It is especially useful for persistent pain where spinal injections have provided only temporary relief.

Conditions treated