1. Through an incision along the midline of the back, Dr. Ferguson will remove a section of bone known as the lamina, the arched part of the vertebrae. This relieves the pressure and removes other compressions like bone spurs or disc material.

2. Dr. Ferguson may also perform a lumbar laminectomy alongside a spinal fusion. This is where a bone graft or substitute is inserted between two or more affected vertebrae to promote bone growth and stability.

A lumbar laminectomy helps treat spinal stenosis, a condition caused by a gradual spinal canal narrowing. This condition is caused by degeneration in the connective joints and discs from arthritis or bone spurs. When the spinal canal narrows, it can begin to put pressure on the nerve roots and spinal cord, causing:

• Back pain

• Pain that radiates into the hips, buttocks and legs

• Numbness, tingling and muscle weakness in the back or lower extremities

To determine if a lumbar laminectomy is suitable for you, Dr. Ferguson will perform a physical exam and review your medical history. He may also order an X-ray, CT or MRI scan of your spine. 

Please note, Dr. Ferguson typically only recommends a lumbar laminectomy after the failure of non-surgical treatment options such as medication, rest and physical therapy.

Read more about the steps you can take to optimise your healing process.

As with any surgery, there are potential risks and complications that you and Dr. Ferguson will discuss*. 

For this particular treatment, these may include: infection, nerve damage, blood clots, blood loss and bowel and bladder problems, along with complications associated with anaesthesia. There is also the risk that the bone graft will fail to fuse properly, a condition that may require additional surgery.

*Always consult your physician for a complete list of indications, warnings, precautions, adverse effects, clinical results and other important medical information that pertains to the lumbar laminectomy procedure.

1. Dr. Ferguson will create a small opening in your lower back and use specialised microsurgical tools to identify the compressed nerve and determine its level of pressure.

2. He will then remove the herniated portion of the disc and any disc fragments, relieving pressure on the spinal nerve.

Dr. Ferguson will typically recommend this surgery if a herniated disc puts pressure on nerve roots, causing:

• Debilitating leg pain

• Weakness and/or numbness in the legs or feet

• Bowel/bladder incontinence

Read more about the steps you can take to optimise your healing process.

As with any surgery, there are potential risks and complications that you and Dr. Ferguson will discuss.* 

For this particular treatment, these may include: infection, nerve damage, blood clots, blood loss and bowel and bladder problems, along with complications associated, with anaesthesia. There is also a risk of recurrence of disc herniation after surgery, requiring additional treatment or surgery.

*Always consult your physician for a complete list of indications, warnings, precautions, adverse effects, clinical results and other important medical information that pertains to the lumbar microdiscectomy procedure.

There are various surgical methods and techniques that use lumbar spinal fusion, but they all require the insertion of either a bone graft or synthetic material between the vertebrae.

Variations include:

• Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF)

• Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) 

• Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF)

• Dr. Ferguson may decide that more than one approach is necessary.

Please note, Dr. Ferguson typically recommends spinal fusion only after conservative treatment methods fail. 

Lumbar spinal fusion procedures often treat:

• One or more fractured (broken) vertebrae

• Spondylolisthesis (slippage of one vertebral bone over another)

• Abnormal spine curvatures such as scoliosis or kyphosis

• Protruding or degenerated discs 

• Spine instability (abnormal or excessive movement between vertebrae)

Read more about the steps you can take to optimise your healing process.

As with any surgery, there are potential risks and complications that you and Dr. Ferguson will discuss*. 

For this particular treatment, these may include: infection, nerve damage, blood clots, blood loss and bowel and bladder problems, along with complications associated with anaesthesia. There is also the risk that the bone graft will fail to fuse properly, a condition that may require additional surgery.

*Always consult your physician for a complete list of indications, warnings, precautions, adverse effects, clinical results and other important medical information that pertains to the spinal fusion procedure.

1. Dr. Ferguson will create a small incision and access the spine through an opening between the vertebrae called the transforaminal space.

2. Then, he will remove the damaged disc material from the front of the spine.

3. Lastly, he will insert a bone graft into the disc space. The bone graft material acts as a bridge or scaffold on which new bone can grow and form a solid connection - with the ultimate goal of restoring spinal stability.

If you have spinal instability in your lower back that hasn't responded to non-surgical treatments, Dr. Ferguson may suggest a TLIF. This procedure is typically recommended for conditions like degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, or spinal stenosis. Symptoms of lumbar spinal instability may include pain, numbness, or muscle weakness in the low back, hips, and legs.

Read more about the steps you can take to optimise your healing process.

As with any surgery, there are potential risks and complications that you and Dr. Ferguson will discuss*. 

For this particular treatment, these may include: infection, nerve damage, blood clots, blood loss and bowel and bladder problems, along with complications associated with anaesthesia. There is also the risk that the bone graft will fail to fuse properly, a condition that may require additional surgery.

*Always consult your physician for a complete list of indications, warnings, precautions, adverse effects, clinical results and other important medical information that pertains to the transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion procedure.

1. The Private’s surgical team will place a lumbar roll at the base of the spine.

2. They will then X-ray the spine on the operating table to locate the ideal spot for surgical incision. 

3. Dr. Ferguson will then make a small incision at the front of the body to access the spine.

4. Under X-ray guidance, Dr. Ferguson will insert two threaded cylindrical, tapered cages into the disc space. These are filled with an artificial bone graft. The implant helps restore the natural spacing between the vertebrae and encourages bone growth, eventually fusing the neighbouring vertebrae together.

5. You’ll be X-rayed again at another date to confirm the treatment has been effective.

This surgery is most appropriate for people with disc injuries or degeneration in the lower back at the L5/S1 level. Ideally, you'll have completed a course of non-surgical treatments to ensure you have correct posture, good core muscle control, and are at a suitable weight.

If you're still experiencing intense pain after these treatments, Dr. Ferguson may recommend this procedure.

Read more about the steps you can take to optimise your healing process.

As with any surgery, there are potential risks and complications that you and Dr. Ferguson will discuss*. 

For this particular treatment, these may include: infection, nerve damage, blood loss, deep venous thrombosis or transient radiculopathy secondary to the bone graft (severe reaction to the bone graft substitute). There is also the risk that the bone graft will fail to fuse properly, a condition that may require additional surgery.

*Always consult your physician for a complete list of indications, warnings, precautions, adverse effects, clinical results and other important medical information that pertains to the minimally invasive anterior lumbar interbody fusion procedure.

1. To access the spine, Dr. Ferguson will make a small incision at the front of the body below the belly button.

2. He will then remove the damaged spinal disc and insert an artificial disc replacement. 

3. Typically, most patients will get up and walk on the day of surgery and be discharged on day three.

4. The disc replacement should bond to the neighbouring vertebrae within 12 weeks.

After surgery, the typical recovery process often resembles the following:

Day 2-3: Patients are typically discharged from the hospital and should be able to:

• Safely get in and out of bed (if not comfortably).

• Move to and from the bathroom to shower and use the toilet.

• Prepare a basic meal. 

• Walk for 10 minutes continuously, preferably two to three times daily, to promote movement around the surgery site. 

• Safely be driven for up to an hour without a break. If the journey is longer, taking a 5- or 10-minute walk to stretch is advisable. Please remember that you cannot legally drive for two weeks.

Day 10 & 14: Communicate with Dr. Ferguson in person or over the phone regarding your wound and dressing.

Weeks 2-6: This stage of healing may seem uneventful. Typically, little progress is felt, and pain relief will be necessary to manage any discomfort.

Week 8: An X-ray is required, and you should schedule an appointment either in person or online. You can stop wearing the brace when you are mobile and becoming more active.

Key things to avoid during this time are:

• Smoking

• Corticosteroids (unless absolutely necessary for conditions like asthma or kidney disease)

• Rapid bending at the waist to pick something from the floor

• Lifting anything heavier than 10 kg by yourself

This surgery aims to relieve pain and preserve mobility by restoring the spine's natural function and alignment. The design of the artificial disc mimics the movement and flexibility of a healthy disc, allowing patients to maintain a more normal range of motion after surgery.

There is a difference between interbody fusion and lumbar disc replacement. 

Spinal fusions involve inserting material or bone grafts between vertebral bodies, causing them to fuse together and eliminate movement. With use and throughout life, the fusion becomes stronger. However, restricted movement may lead to adjacent segment disease (ASD) due to increased pressure on neighbouring unfused vertebrae, possibly necessitating further surgery. 

On the other hand, disc replacement surgery involves replacing the damaged disc with an artificial one, restoring natural movement. Because of this, disc replacement surgeries carry an average of 25-30 percent less risk of requiring future surgeries compared to fusions. Recovery time also tends to be quicker with patients who receive a disc replacement, as there is no time needed for a fusion to bond and strengthen.

While fusions strengthen with time, it is natural that artificial disc replacements eventually wear and fail. However, artificial disc materials are a rapidly evolving field. Medical device companies are now producing MRI-compatible materials, streamlining the diagnostic and imaging process. Compressible and shock-absorbing artificial discs that mimic natural, healthy discs are also being created, helping deliver a function as close to normal as possible. At present, industry tests suggest these discs will last somewhere in the vicinity of 90+ years. However, none have been tested in humans for 90 years, so we cannot be sure of the exact number.  

Spinal fusion and disc replacement surgeries can significantly reduce or even eliminate pain for most individuals. For individuals who are candidates for both surgeries, the decision comes down to assessing the risks and benefits. Dr.Ferguson will make a personalised decision and consider an individual's anatomy. Both surgeries require favourable vascular access. In the short and medium term, both procedures' success and complication rates are similar, with high success rates and low complication rates.

Dr. Ferguson may suggest a "hybrid surgery," which combines the two surgeries. A hybrid surgery involves performing a fusion at one level and a disc replacement at another. This option has been shown to be more successful than a two-level fusion and appears to produce better outcomes than having a two-level disc replacement.

A lumbar disc replacement is most appropriate for people with disc injuries or degeneration in the lower back. Ideally, you'll have completed a course of non-surgical treatments to ensure you have correct posture, good core muscle control, and are at a suitable weight. If you're still experiencing intense pain after these treatments, Dr. Ferguson may recommend this procedure. At The Private Clinic, we are careful in our operative selection process. Our results of lumbar disc replacement have been highly gratifying in allowing our patients, in the vast majority of cases, to enjoy an active lifestyle once again. 

Read more about the steps you can take to optimise your healing process.

As with any surgery, there are potential risks and complications that you and Dr. Ferguson will discuss*. 

For this particular treatment, these may include: infection, nerve damage, blood loss, deep venous thrombosis and failure to relieve pain. There is also a risk of implant complications such as unintended movement, loosening or wearing out, which may require additional surgery. 

*Always consult your physician for a complete list of indications, warnings, precautions, adverse effects, clinical results and other important medical information that pertains to the lumbar disc replacement procedure