A SURGEON at Darlington’s Woodlands Hospital is using an innovative technique to offer patients fast and, in many cases, permanent relief from the pain and misery caused by sciatica.
Over the last couple of years, consultant Dan Fagan has been using minimal access surgery to perform percutaneous discectomy operations to deal with slipped or crushed discs that are pressing on the nerves that cause sciatica leg pain.
Traditional surgery involves a general anesthetic and quite invasive treatment with a long recovery period.
By using imaging techniques for accuracy, and an operating device called a spine wand, Mr Fagan only needs to make a couple of small incisions in the back, at the location of the damaged disc, then insert a portal through which he feeds the wand.
The wand generates a plasma field over the tip, which quickly vapourises the damaged part of the disc.
The procedure is treated as a day-case, and treatment only takes about 30 minutes, under a light sedation. It is far less invasive than traditional surgery, and offers patients an 80% chance of eliminating the sciatic pain, with little chance of complications or harm.
Patients are also up and about very quickly after the procedure, and home the same day.
Mr Fagan is one of only a very few surgeons in the UK using this procedure, and the only one in the North-East.
“ We are very lucky to have the equipment and the expertise, right here at the Woodlands, to be able to offer patients the most cutting edge treatment for conditions that can prevent them living their best lives,” he says.
“Severe sciatica can affect your ability to work, to enjoy sports, and just live your daily life. Many patients are choosing to self-pay and be treated privately for things like slipped discs because it’s much quicker, our procedures are less invasive, and recovery is much faster,” explains Mr Fagan. “If you are in pain and waiting to see your GP, or waiting for an operation, it will also affect your mental well-being.
“In most cases, this is a quick and easy answer to what may have been years of pain and misery for someone.”
He does take GP referrals, but patients can book direct with Mr Fagan’s practice, SpineArt, and will usually have an appointment for an assessment within two weeks, rather than waiting to go through the NHS system.
Initial treatment is likely to involve a very straightforward spine injection under local anesthetic, which often solves the problem. If that doesn’t work, Mr Fagan will advise a percutaneous discectomy.
“I’m seeing a lot of people at the moment, who have previously had the injection but, unfortunately, the symptoms have returned and they are needing further intervention, which would normally mean a long wait for traditional surgery.
“Because they want to get back to a full and healthy life as soon as possible, they are opting to come to the Woodlands for the treatment.”
- Woodlands Hospital, Morton Park, Darlington DL1 4PL
Telephone: 01325 341700
www.spineart.org
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