conditions
Mr Bell specialises in treating complex spinal conditions and has seen thousands of patients of all ages and backgrounds. Many conditions, particularly those that need surgery, require a delicate, nuanced approach to ensure treatment is as effective as possible.
Mr Bell’s patience, care and level of understanding make him one of the leading consultant neurosurgeons in this field, and his specialism in minimally invasive surgical techniques can lead to reduced risk and a faster recovery time.
You can find out more about the specific conditions Mr Bell can treat below, or get in touch and we’ll give you all the help you need.
UPPER AND LOWER BACK PAIN
Lower and upper back pain can affect you at any age and seriously impact your everyday life. In some cases, the cause of your pain may be difficult to pinpoint, while in others, there may be clear underlying issues such as injuries. It’s also very common for that pain to come and go.
Mr Bell will be able to investigate the cause of your pain and work with you to decide on the most effective course of treatment.
Back pain symptoms can vary widely. You might experience pain in your lower back down towards your buttocks or tingling, weakness and numbness down your legs.
Some people find that their pain leads to stiffness in their back or one or both legs, making everyday life particularly challenging.
The good news is that there’s a variety of treatment options for both upper and lower back pain. Exercise and physiotherapy, combined with some pain relief, may be the first course of action, depending on the cause of your pain. If surgery is needed, your treatment plan may include one of the following:
- Discectomy: This is where part of a slipped disc that may be irritating your nerve is removed.
- Laminectomy: The lamina (part of your vertebra) is removed to relieve pressure on the nerves.
- Foraminotomy: A treatment which is carried out to enlarge your spinal nerve passageway to prevent nerves from being pinched.
- Spinal fusion: This removes a damaged cartilage disc or the lamina and fuses your spine back together.
- Disc replacement: A synthetic implant is used to replace a damaged disc in your back.
- Vertebroplasty: Liquid bone cement is injected into your vertebra to reinforce crumbling bone.
Degenerative disc disease
Degenerative disc disease is damage that’s caused over time to the spinal discs in between the vertebrae in your neck and lower back. This can be due to wear and tear, strenuous work, sport or injury. Gradually, your discs lose their flexibility, elasticity and ability to absorb shocks. This can lead to low-level or even chronic back pain.
If you suffer from degenerative disc disease, you’ll be prone to chronic, dull pain, with periods of more severe pain for days or even weeks. This can impact any part of your spine, but normally it’s the parts you use the most, which are your neck (cervical spine) and your lower back (lumbar spine). In some cases, degenerative disc disease might also cause weakness, numbness and shooting pain in your arms or legs.
Other symptoms of degenerative disc disease can include:
- Increased pain when you move
- Feeling that your spine isn’t supporting you properly
- Sharp pain in your shoulder, arm, hand, hips, buttocks or leg(s)
- Pain or even muscle spasms when you stand for too long
There are several ways that degenerative disc disease can be diagnosed. To begin with, Mr Bell will examine your spine and ask you about the types of pain you’ve been experiencing. You may need an MRI scan, which will show the soft tissues of your spine and can indicate signs of a bulging or worn disc.
If the diagnosis is degenerative disc disease in either your neck or lower spine, then Mr Bell will talk you through your options and determine the right treatment plan.
There are several ways to treat your degenerative disc disease. In the initial stages, it may be possible to address your pain with the following non-surgical treatments:
- Physical therapy: Which will include a series of strengthening and mobility exercises.
- Pain relief: Such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), steroids or muscle relaxants. Mr Bell may also recommend steroid injections to reduce pain and inflammation.
- Radiofrequency neurotomy: A treatment that uses electrical currents to burn sensory nerves and stop pain signals from reaching your brain.
If these aren’t effective, or Mr Bell determines that your condition won’t respond to them, you may need one of the following spinal decompression surgeries:
- Discectomy: Removing part of your spinal disc to relieve any pressure you have on your nerves.
- Foraminotomy: Expands the opening of your nerve roots by removing the tissue and bone in your spine.
- Laminectomy: Taking away a small portion of bone from your lower spine to ease pressure on your nerves.
- Osteophyte removal: This involves removal of bone spurs, also known as osteophytes.
- Spinal fusion: Two or more of your vertebrae are connected to improve stability.
SPONDYLOLISTHESIS AND SPONDYLOSIS
Mr Bell can help with both spondylolisthesis and spondylosis, which can cause pain and make movement difficult. Spondylolisthesis is caused by one of the vertebrae in your back slipping forward. Spondylosis is a condition caused by age-related wear and tear of the spine, which can be due to excess strain on your joints over time.
Mr Bell will discuss your symptoms and experience of the condition in detail and develop a treatment plan to help correct your spine.
Spondylolisthesis has several symptoms. You may experience one or several of these, depending on the severity of your condition:
- Pain in your lower back that often gets worse when standing or walking for long periods of time. The pain may recede when you sit or bend forward.
- Pain that spreads to your buttocks or thighs.
- Tight hamstrings.
- Pain, numbness or a tingling that goes from your lower back down your leg.
If you have spondylosis, you may experience the following distinct symptoms:
- Tingling, weakness or numbness in your arms, hands, legs or feet.
- Difficulty walking and, at times, lack of coordination or balance.
- Loss of bowel or bladder control.
If you’re concerned about any of these symptoms or your spinal health in general, please get in touch, and we can help.
Both conditions might require a range of treatment from physiotherapy to improve your mobility to pain relief, such as steroid injections (depending on your symptoms).
If those aren’t effective or suitable, you may need to have surgery such as a spinal fusion, which involves attaching the affected vertebra to the bone below it with metal rods, screws and a bone graft. Another surgical solution might be a lumbar decompression, which helps alleviate pressure on your spinal nerves.
Both procedures are done under general anaesthetic, and Mr Bell will be able to explain what’s happening and answer all your questions at every stage.
Complex spinal disorders
Complex spinal disorders can affect your bones (vertebrae), and the discs between those vertebrae, as well as your joints and your soft tissues. This can change your spine’s structure and stability, making life painful and difficult. These disorders can occur in your lower back (lumbar spine), upper back (thoracic spine) and neck.
Mr Bell has extensive experience with the delicate and complex treatment of these disorders and can create a detailed, focused treatment pathway for you.
Complex spinal disorders can cause chronic pain, impact how you walk and sometimes affect your balance and coordination. Some patients find that their breathing, bowel and bladder control are affected as well. There are several potential causes of complex spinal disorders, including:
- Infections in the spine or fluid around the spinal cord.
- A fracture or dislocation.
- General wear and tear of the spine, cartilage or discs, among other reasons.
- For some patients, a complex spinal disorder may be caused by a tumour, both cancerous or non-cancerous.
Whatever the cause of your complex spinal disorder, Mr Bell will work closely with you to understand your symptoms and concerns before agreeing on a treatment path that’s right for you.
Mr Bell will carry out a detailed physical examination at your first consultation and ask about your medical history, your general health and how your back issues are impacting your day-to-day life, including pain and movement. Depending on your symptoms, he may request some of the following tests to help make a fast, accurate diagnosis:
- Discography: This involves an injection of saline into your disc(s) and either a CT scan or an X-ray to show any abnormal nerve pathways that may be causing pain inside your disc(s).
- Electrodiagnostics: This is performed using electrodes to assess nerve and muscle function and detect damage or pressure on your spine.
There are many ways you can be treated for complex spinal disorders, and your specific treatment will depend on your symptoms and the severity of your condition. Mr Bell will always try to help you with non-surgical treatments first, if possible, including physiotherapy, or pain relief to help manage your condition.
Minimally invasive surgery may be another option, but Mr Bell will discuss the best treatment for you once you’ve begun the consultation process.
Sciatica
Sciatica is caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve or related nerve roots, which can leave you in pain that lasts for several days or even weeks. You might experience pain in your lower back, which extends down your legs. At times, it might reach your feet, cause the muscles around the area to contract, and lead to intense or prolonged pain.
Mr Bell has more than three decades of experience treating this condition, and he and his team are ready to help you.
Sciatica, and the pain it causes, can really impact your day-to-day life. But it’s quite common for patients to experience several episodes of sciatica before seeking treatment.
The main symptom is varying degrees of pain, from dull to extreme, that can often affect your ability to move freely. You might also experience tingling, weakness or numbness in other parts of your body, such as your legs, calves or feet. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms or are concerned in any way, please get in touch with us.
Sciatica is not a condition itself. It’s a symptom of something else going on in your body, which can be a delayed effect from an injury or the result of pressure on the nerves in your lower spine.
In your consultation, Mr Bell will carry out a thorough physical examination and may order some tests to understand what’s causing your sciatic pain. Then he’ll discuss the best treatment options with you.
Spinal deformity
Spinal deformity is a condition that involves a curve or rotation that causes problems with your spine. There are three main types of the condition:
- Kyphosis is when your upper back curves forward, creating a hump at the top or middle of your back.
- Lordosis is a deformity of the lower back in which your spine curves inward instead of outward, creating an arch.
- Scoliosis is when your spine curves to the right or left.
Mr Bell has extensive experience with all these conditions, and he and his team are ready and waiting to help you if they can.
Your symptoms can vary, depending on the type of spinal deformity you have and how severe it is. Some people experience no discomfort, while others report pain in the back or ribs or have trouble with balance, standing or walking for long periods of time.
In some cases, your spinal misalignment may cause visible curves to your spine, either inwards, outwards or to the side, and may impact your shoulder and hip alignment too. If you’re concerned about any of these symptoms or your spinal health in general, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
There is a range of non-surgical and surgical treatments, depending on the outcome of your consultation, and the severity of your condition. In some cases, physiotherapy can be an effective way to alleviate discomfort and realign your spine. If you need surgery, this can include a wide range of procedures, and Mr Bell will discuss his specific recommendation with you.
If your spine is severely curved and impacting your organs or shows signs of deterioration, Mr Bell may recommend neurosurgery, including the use of screws and rods to ensure the curve of your spine doesn’t get worse.
Spinal stenosis
Spinal stenosis is a condition that narrows your spinal canal and can compress the nerves inside it. It can occur in your (lower) lumbar spine or in your neck, and you may experience back pain, as well as pain in your legs or arms, depending on the part of your spine that’s affected.
If compression in your neck affects the spinal cord, it can cause myelopathy. When you see Mr Bell, he’ll carry out a thorough physical examination, ask about your symptoms, determine the exact nature of your condition and begin tailoring a personalised treatment plan.
Unlike many other spinal conditions, spinal stenosis can significantly impact other parts of your body. You may experience numbness in your hands, arms, feet or legs, feel unsteady or have difficulty walking.
You may also find that day-to-day tasks such as writing, doing up your buttons or tying shoes become more difficult. If you’re concerned about your spinal health, we can help.
Your course of treatment will depend on how severe your condition is and the location of the nerve compression in your spine. The first steps may be non-surgical treatments, such as physiotherapy and steroid or epidural injections, which may help to reduce your pain, improve your mobility and make you more stable.
If he believes surgery is the best option to relieve pressure on your spinal cord and nerves, Mr Bell will discuss any potential procedures with you in full before you commit to any treatment.
spine fractures and trauma
You may have fractured your spine or experienced spinal trauma from an injury or impact. If it’s very acute or part of a wider range of injuries, hospital treatment might be a necessary first step. However, less obvious conditions and issues such as cancer, infection or osteoporosis can also cause fractures or trauma.
If you’re concerned about a fracture or any aspect of your spinal health, Mr Bell and his team can help.
Your first and most obvious symptom might be severe back pain that impacts your daily life. If your fracture or trauma is due to cancer or infection, you may also feel generally unwell and have pain at night that disturbs your sleep.
Fractures that press on a nerve or on your spinal cord can make it difficult to walk, with pain or numbness in your arms or legs. Some people also experience bowel or bladder problems. If your fracture is a compression fracture from osteoporosis, then you may lose height or have a hump or curve in your spine.
During your first consultation with Mr Bell, he’ll discuss your symptoms, any pain you’re experiencing, ask about any recent trauma or accidents you may have had and talk through your general health and lifestyle.
He’ll also want to hear about any previous or underlying health conditions you have, such as cancer or osteoporosis. To help provide the most accurate diagnosis, Mr Bell may carry out spinal imaging tests. These can help him determine the most appropriate treatment for you.
This will depend on where your fracture or trauma is in your spine, any other injuries or conditions you have and how severe your condition is. Not all spinal fractures require surgery, and you may only need to wear a brace.
There are several different types of surgical treatment for spinal fractures and trauma, including:
- Kyphoplasty: A balloon is inserted into your collapsed vertebra, creating a cavity, which is then filled with liquid bone cement. This filling can restore stability and help you maintain your height.
- Vertebroplasty: A minimally invasive procedure where liquid bone cement is injected into your collapsed vertebra to restore height and stability.
- Spinal surgery: Depending on the nature of your fracture, Mr Bell may carry out a conventional spinal operation using ‘scaffolding’ (rods and screws) to stabilise your spine.
VERTEBRAL COMPRESSION FRACTURE
A vertebral compression fracture can be caused by an impact or injury or by conditions such as cancer or osteoporosis. It’s what happens when one of the vertebrae in your spine becomes compressed, leading to pain and sometimes further complications.
Mr Bell and his team are highly experienced at treating this kind of spinal problem, and they’re ready and waiting to help you. Please get in touch if you’d like to make an appointment.
During your consultation with Mr Bell, you’ll be able to discuss your condition and how it’s impacting your daily life. He’ll ask about any pain you’re experiencing, as well as your medical history and overall health, and carry out a physical examination.
Mr Bell may suggest you have an X-ray or a CT scan so he can get a clear view of how the fracture affects your spine and the surrounding areas.
You may need an operation called a vertebroplasty to stabilise your spine and any damaged vertebrae. The procedure can help to ease your pain and prevent spinal deformity, further fractures or other complications.
You’ll have either a local or general anaesthetic before a small balloon-style device is inserted into your damaged vertebra to help restore its height. Then your vertebra is filled with bone cement, which sets and stabilises your spine.
Not every vertebral compression fracture requires surgery. Mr Bell will devise an effective treatment plan that’s specifically tailored to your condition and discuss your options in detail with you.
READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP?
If you have any worrying symptoms you’d like to get checked, need a second opinion or just want a free chat with one of our nurse specialists, get in touch. Our friendly team will take care of the rest.