Spine surgery

At Mediclinic, we care for the whole spine, from the neck to the lower back. We treat everyday problems like a slipped disc as well as scoliosis and other spinal deformities, spinal fractures and more complex conditions. We bring surgery and rehabilitation together so your treatment and recovery stay connected.

What is spine surgery?

Spine surgery treats the spine, the column of bones (vertebrae), cushioning discs and nerves that runs from your neck to your lower back. It covers problems such as worn or herniated discs, a narrowed spinal canal, and curves like scoliosis. Spine surgery also includes the treatment of spinal deformities, such as scoliosis, where an abnormal curve or alignment of the spine may require specialist monitoring or corrective surgery. Spine care is shared between orthopaedic spine surgeons and neurosurgeons, and most spine problems don't need an operation at all. Surgeons diagnose the cause, guide non-surgical treatment first and follow your recovery long after any procedure.

When should you see a spine surgeon?

Book an appointment if you notice:

• Back or neck pain that will not settle after a few weeks
• Pain that spreads down an arm or leg (sciatica)
• Numbness, tingling or pins and needles in an arm, hand, leg or foot
• Weakness in a leg or foot, such as tripping or dragging your foot
• Leg pain when you walk that eases when you sit or lean forward
• A visible curve in the spine, or uneven shoulders or hips

Sudden weakness in both legs with loss of control of your bladder or bowels is a medical emergency: call for emergency help.

You don't need to wait for the pain to become severe. Pain that disturbs your sleep, work or daily life, or a back injury that isn't healing, is reason enough to have your spine checked. Many people are referred by their family doctor or physiotherapist, and it's worth asking whether spine surgery input would help. Your doctor can talk you through what is causing your symptoms and whether an operation is likely to be needed.

What to expect

At your first visit, the doctor asks about your pain and how it affects your daily life, then examines how your spine moves and how well your arms and legs work. This helps show where your symptoms come from. Simple imaging often comes first: an X-ray to look at the bones, and an MRI scan when the discs, nerves or spinal cord need a closer look. A CT scan is sometimes added.

Most spine problems settle without surgery. Treatment usually starts with physiotherapy, exercise and pain relief, and injections can help when nerve pain persists. If symptoms continue, or tests show a clear cause, surgery may be recommended to remove part of a disc, relieve pressure on the nerves, fuse vertebrae or correct a spinal deformity. For some complex procedures, technologies such as surgical navigation and 3D planning or printing may be used to help the surgeon plan and perform the operation with greater precision. Your surgeon will explain the recommended treatment and what to expect.

Spine surgery at Mediclinic

Our orthopaedic spine surgeons and neurosurgeons work side by side, so the right specialist leads each case. Much of the treatment we provide is non-surgical. For long-standing pain, radiofrequency treatment is also available. When surgery is needed, our surgeons perform procedures such as decompression, discectomy, and spinal fusion, often using minimally invasive techniques. Our spine services also include surgery for scoliosis and other spinal deformities. For selected complex cases, surgeons may use advanced technologies such as surgical navigation and 3D planning or printing to support surgical planning and precision. Rehabilitation continues to support you afterwards.