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John Ferguson - Orthopaedic Spinal Surgeon

Private Service, Orthopaedics, Spinal

Today

9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Description

At The Private Clinic we know that treating the physical is only one part of the healing process, that's why we care for the mind and spirit, too. The Private Clinic delivers minimally invasive procedures using the latest technology and techniques. Here, you’ll find the perfect mix of scientific rigor and human warmth, with our staff all dedicated to ensuring you get the best care and attention through your healing journey.
 
Our spinal surgeon, Dr John Ferguson, has been committed to providing New Zealanders with the gold standard of care throughout his 15 years of public and private practice experience. He performs surgery on both adult and paediatric patients and has operating privileges in both public and private hospitals.
 
Spinal services provided at the spinal clinic:
  • Cervical (neck) - learn more about the procedures here
  • Lumbar (lower back) - learn more about the procedures here
  • Scoliosis (spinal deformity) - learn more about the procedures here
 
What is Orthopaedics?
This is an area that deals with conditions of the musculoskeletal system (disorders of bones and joints of the limbs and spine). The specialty covers a range of different types of conditions starting with congenital (conditions which children are born with) through to degenerative (conditions relating to the wearing out of joints). The field of orthopaedics covers trauma where bones are broken or injuries are sustained to limbs.
Other conditions that sit under the spectrum of orthopaedics are metabolic conditions, neurological and inflammatory conditions.

Staff

Orthopaedic Spinal Surgeon: Dr John Ferguson

Practice Manager: Bridget

Surgery Coordinator: Anna

Administration: Shelby

Read more about our team here

Consultants

How do I access this service?

Referral

You will require a referral from your GP or primary care provider - Osteopath, Physiotherapist, Chiropractor.

To book a consultation with Dr John Ferguson please fill in your personal information here and we will be in touch to help you make an appointment.

Make an appointment

We welcome patient self-referral via the website. Use our request an appointment page

Referral Expectations

At your first appointment, non-invasive high-tech imaging will help us assess the issue. From there, you’ll sit down with your team to discuss your prognosis and treatment options.
If you need surgery, we’ll be there to help you prepare and take care of you afterwards, including regular follow-ups throughout your recovery.

Read more about preparing for your surgery and post-surgery instructions here

Fees and Charges Categorisation

Fees apply

Fees and Charges Description

John is a Southern Cross Affiliated Provider, NIB first choice and ACC accredited

Hours

9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Mon – Fri 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Procedures / Treatments

Scoliosis (spinal deformity)

There are several ways to correct spinal deformities such as scoliosis and kyphosis: Posterior – from the back of the spine as you lie on your stomach (most frequently performed for idiopathic adolescent scoliosis) Anterior – from the front of the spine through the side of your chest or abdomen Both posterior and anterior – a combination of both posterior and anterior techniques, generally recommended for curves that are very severe and stiff, or when previous attempts at fusion have failed. Read more here

There are several ways to correct spinal deformities such as scoliosis and kyphosis:

Posterior – from the back of the spine as you lie on your stomach (most frequently performed for idiopathic adolescent scoliosis)

Anterior – from the front of the spine through the side of your chest or abdomen

Both posterior and anterior – a combination of both posterior and anterior techniques, generally recommended for curves that are very severe and stiff, or when previous attempts at fusion have failed.

Read more here

Herniated Discs

Between the vertebrae in your spine are flat, round discs that act as shock absorbers for the spinal bones. Sometimes some of the gel-like substance in the centre of the disc (nucleus) bulges out through the tough outer ring (annulus) and into the spinal canal. This is known as a herniated or ruptured disc and the pressure it puts on the spinal nerves often causes symptoms such as pain, numbness and tingling. Initial treatment for a herniated disc may involve low level activity, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication and physiotherapy. If these approaches fail to reduce or remove the pain, surgical treatment may be considered. Discectomy This surgery is performed to remove part or all of a herniated intervertebral disc. Open discectomy – involves making an incision (cut) over the vertebra and stripping back the muscles to expose the herniated disc. The entire disc, or parts of it are removed, thus relieving pressure on the spinal nerves. Microdiscectomy – this is a ‘minimally invasive’ surgical technique, meaning it requires smaller incisions and no muscle stripping is required. Tiny, specialised instruments are used to remove the disc or disc fragments. Laminectomy or Laminotomy These procedures involve making an incision down the centre of the back and removing some or all of the bony arch (lamina) of a vertebra. In a laminectomy, all or most of the lamina is surgically removed while a laminotomy involves partial removal of the lamina. By making more room in the spinal canal, these procedures reduce pressure on the spinal nerves. They also give the surgeon better access to the disc and other parts of the spine if further procedures e.g. discectomy, spinal fusion, are required. Spinal Fusion In this procedure, individual vertebrae are fused together so that no movement can occur between the vertebrae and hence pain is reduced. Spinal fusion may be required for disc herniation in the cervical region of the spine as well as for some cases of vertebral fracture and to prevent pain-inducing movements.

Between the vertebrae in your spine are flat, round discs that act as shock absorbers for the spinal bones. Sometimes some of the gel-like substance in the centre of the disc (nucleus) bulges out through the tough outer ring (annulus) and into the spinal canal. This is known as a herniated or ruptured disc and the pressure it puts on the spinal nerves often causes symptoms such as pain, numbness and tingling.

Initial treatment for a herniated disc may involve low level activity, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication and physiotherapy. If these approaches fail to reduce or remove the pain, surgical treatment may be considered.

Discectomy
This surgery is performed to remove part or all of a herniated intervertebral disc.

Open discectomy – involves making an incision (cut) over the vertebra and stripping back the muscles to expose the herniated disc. The entire disc, or parts of it are removed, thus relieving pressure on the spinal nerves.

Microdiscectomy – this is a ‘minimally invasive’ surgical technique, meaning it requires smaller incisions and no muscle stripping is required. Tiny, specialised instruments are used to remove the disc or disc fragments.

Laminectomy or Laminotomy
These procedures involve making an incision down the centre of the back and removing some or all of the bony arch (lamina) of a vertebra.

In a laminectomy, all or most of the lamina is surgically removed while a laminotomy involves partial removal of the lamina.

By making more room in the spinal canal, these procedures reduce pressure on the spinal nerves. They also give the surgeon better access to the disc and other parts of the spine if further procedures e.g. discectomy, spinal fusion, are required.

Spinal Fusion
In this procedure, individual vertebrae are fused together so that no movement can occur between the vertebrae and hence pain is reduced. Spinal fusion may be required for disc herniation in the cervical region of the spine as well as for some cases of vertebral fracture and to prevent pain-inducing movements.

Spinal Tumours

Tumours may be found within the spinal cord itself, between the spinal cord and its tough outer covering, the dura, or outside the dura. They may be primary (they arise in the in the spine or nearby tissue) or metastatic (they have originated in another part of the body and travelled to the spine, usually via the bloodstream). Spinal tumours may be treated by any combination of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Surgery may be performed to take a small sample of tissue to examine under the microscope (biopsy) or to remove the tumour. Typically, the patient will be lying face downwards and a procedure known as a laminectomy is performed (the bone overlying the spinal cord is removed). This gives the surgeon access to the spinal cord and allows removal of the tumour.

Tumours may be found within the spinal cord itself, between the spinal cord and its tough outer covering, the dura, or outside the dura. They may be primary (they arise in the in the spine or nearby tissue) or metastatic (they have originated in another part of the body and travelled to the spine, usually via the bloodstream).

Spinal tumours may be treated by any combination of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Surgery may be performed to take a small sample of tissue to examine under the microscope (biopsy) or to remove the tumour. Typically, the patient will be lying face downwards and a procedure known as a laminectomy is performed (the bone overlying the spinal cord is removed). This gives the surgeon access to the spinal cord and allows removal of the tumour.

Public Transport

The Auckland Transport website is a good resource to plan your public transport options.

Parking

Free half hour patient parking is available at the rear of the building, off St Mary's Bay Road

Contact Details

9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Book an appointment

The Private Clinic
Level 1, 1 Jervois Road
Ponsonby
Auckland 1011

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Street Address

The Private Clinic
Level 1, 1 Jervois Road
Ponsonby
Auckland 1011

Postal Address

PO Box 47104
Ponsonby
Auckland 1144

This page was last updated at 1:23PM on June 12, 2024. This information is reviewed and edited by John Ferguson - Orthopaedic Spinal Surgeon.