BACK and leg pain is miserable, debilitating, and can profoundly affect your quality of life – but help is at hand! An open evening being held at the Woodlands Hospital, Darlington, on April 26, will showcase the most advanced surgical techniques used to relieve a range of back pain issues.

Whether your pain stems from sciatica, a slipped disc, or – in many cases – an unknown source, experienced spine consultant, Mr Dan Fagan, will be explaining how you could be helped at the Woodlands.

The Northern Echo: Spine consultant Dan Fagan's expertise has helped many patientsSpine consultant Dan Fagan's expertise has helped many patients (Image: Woodlands Hospital)

People who have already been seen by a physiotherapist for their pain, and might be waiting for an appointment with their GP, or on the waiting list for an NHS consultation, may be interested in finding out how the advances in spine surgery can help them to get back to a full life.

“People who have sciatica and back pain need a diagnoses. There are different reasons for the pain and a range of different treatments. At the Woodlands, we have the expertise and equipment to help people to quickly get the right diagnoses and the right treatment,” explains Mr Fagan.

Mr Fagan is very experienced in the use of minimal access surgery, that has helped many of his patients.

Using imaging techniques for accuracy, a ‘spinal wand’ is inserted into the back through a portal. The wand generates a plasma field over the tip, which quickly vapourises the damaged part of the disc, and relieves the pain.

Compared to traditional spine surgery that requires a general anesthetic and quite invasive treatment with a long recovery period, this procedure is done under a light sedation, takes about 30 minutes, and patients will go home the same day.

It offers patients an 80 per cent chance of eliminating the sciatic pain, with little chance of complications or harm.

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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.

“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.”

At the open evening, Mr Fagan will be making a presentation, after which patients will have the opportunity to ask questions, and to speak to hospital representatives from the radiology, physiotherapy, and marketing departments.

To book into the event, on Wednesday, April 26, from 6pm - 8pm, please contact Mr Fagan's secretary, Beverley Johnston, on 07539 330360, or call and speak with Woodlands Hospital Patient Liaison Officer, Daisy Holden, on 01325 341786.

Alternatively, you can register online at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/role-of-percutaneous-discectomy-and-minimal-access-surgery-tickets-610975854227

Complimentary light snack and refreshments will be provided.

Please click here to find out more information about the services that Mr Fagan provides.

  • Woodlands Hospital, Morton Park, Darlington DL1 4PL
    Telephone: 01325 341700

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