Alastair’s special interest is adult spinal surgery. Operations include -

• Microdiscectomy for disc prolapse (an intervertebral disc that bulges out from between the vertebrae):

These commonly occur in the lumbar spine and neck, causing spinal and limb pain. Surgery is indicated if you do not get better spontaneously over a 4- to 6-week period.

• Decompression and fusion for spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal):

This surgery is necessary if narrowing of the spinal canal pinches the nerves causing leg pain when walking, relieved by sitting down. There are a number of different surgical options depending on the findings on the MRI scan.

• Fusion for low back pain:

Some people develop low back pain which does not settle. A spinal fusion involves the insertion of bone graft and normally instrumentation in the form of screws, rods and plates. This surgery is successful in most patients with genuine conditions.

• Disc replacements for low back pain:

Alastair offers this surgery as an option for younger patients, especially in the neck and sometimes in the lumbar spine.

• Surgery for fractured vertebrae:

Sometimes following a fractured vertebra, a patient gets ongoing back or leg pain, which can be relieved by surgery. Likewise, the patient may have a deformity which can be corrected.

• Spinal tumours:

Patients with tumours in their spine sometimes benefit from surgery to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or to stabilise a painful, weak spine resulting from the tumour destroying bone.