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

The goal of this surgery is to relieve pain and improve mobility by restoring the natural function and alignment of the spine. The artificial disc is designed to mimic the movement and flexibility of a healthy disc, allowing patients to maintain a more normal range of motion after surgery. 

This surgery 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.

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.