CaRi-heart technology
Revolutionary new technology to assess the risk of a serious heart condition or heart attack – many years before anything happens.
Spinal fusion surgery
- Widest range of private spinal treatments in London
- Appointment confirmed in as little as 24hrs
- Rated ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’ by 97% of orthopaedic patients
Jump to
Spinal fusion surgery at HCA UK
Why choose us?
At HCA UK, we offer fast access to our spinal specialists, whose unrivalled experience is backed by state-of-the-art diagnostics to accurately diagnose your symptoms and condition, and recommend the most effective course of treatment, tailored to you.
If you need spinal fusion surgery, this will be carried out by our dedicated spinal team, which includes some of the UK’s leading spinal orthopaedic and neurosurgical consultants. We’ll take care of you before, during and after your procedure, with our highly skilled physiotherapists supporting your recovery and helping you get back to doing the things you love.
It’s this approach that has helped many people just like you and why 97% of our orthopaedic patients say they’re likely to recommend us to their friends and family.
If you need spinal fusion surgery, this will be carried out by our dedicated spinal team, which includes some of the UK’s leading spinal orthopaedic and neurosurgical consultants. We’ll take care of you before, during and after your procedure, with our highly skilled physiotherapists supporting your recovery and helping you get back to doing the things you love.
It’s this approach that has helped many people just like you and why 97% of our orthopaedic patients say they’re likely to recommend us to their friends and family.
As we age, various parts of our spine start to wear (degenerate). When abnormal movement between the bones (called vertebrae) occurs, patients can experience neck or lower back pain. This can worsen over time and radiate into the arm or leg, and may require a spinal fusion.
Spinal fusion is a surgical procedure to connect two or more vertebrae to prevent them moving and eliminate any pain caused by them moving. It also helps to strengthen and stabilise the spine.
There are different techniques used for spinal fusion, but each involves your consultant placing pieces of bone material in the space between the vertebrae to help encourage the fusion process.
Metal plates, screws or rods may be used to hold the vertebrae together. The vertebrae then fuse and heal into a single bone.
Spinal fusion is a surgical procedure to connect two or more vertebrae to prevent them moving and eliminate any pain caused by them moving. It also helps to strengthen and stabilise the spine.
There are different techniques used for spinal fusion, but each involves your consultant placing pieces of bone material in the space between the vertebrae to help encourage the fusion process.
Metal plates, screws or rods may be used to hold the vertebrae together. The vertebrae then fuse and heal into a single bone.
Spinal fusion surgery is typically used to treat pain, numbness and muscle weakness. For example, weakness in your spine can put pressure on your spinal cord or the spinal nerves that branch from it, causing pain and disrupting the nerve signals, which can lead to numbness and tingling.
The surgery can help relieve the symptoms of many back problems and conditions, including:
The surgery can help relieve the symptoms of many back problems and conditions, including:
- Congenital spine conditions (conditions you’re born with)
- Degenerative disc disease
- Slipped discs, such as herniated or bulging
- Infections in your vertebrae or the soft tissues in your spine
- A curved spine, such as scoliosis (found in both adults and children)
- Spondylosis (where one bone slips forward or sideways on the one below it)
- Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal)
- Spinal fractures
- Spinal cancer and tumours (which affect the bones, soft tissue or spinal cord nervers) in and around your spine
At HCA UK, our surgeons maintain their expertise by keeping up to date with the latest techniques. In fact, some are innovators themselves and teach other surgeons how to perform these techniques.
When you access one of our spinal surgeons within the HCA UK network, you access the whole spinal team. Complex cases are discussed at Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) meetings to ensure that you get the best and most up-to-date treatment possible.
When you access one of our spinal surgeons within the HCA UK network, you access the whole spinal team. Complex cases are discussed at Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) meetings to ensure that you get the best and most up-to-date treatment possible.
Spinal fusion surgery is generally a safe procedure, but it’s important to remember that it’s a serious medical procedure. As with any surgery, there are risks. These can include:
- Infection
- Poor wound healing
- Blood clots
- Injury to blood vessels or nerves in and around the spine
- Pain at the bone graft site
- Misplaced metalwork requiring revision
- Poor bone quality leading to fractures around the metalwork
No.1
in London for private orthopaedic and spinal care
30+
different spinal treatments with care tailored to you
97%
of our patients are likely to recommend us to family and friends
Fast access to specialists
appointments bookable online or by phone
Expert orthopaedic treatments
from specialist spinal consultants
State-of-the-art diagnostics
with results in as little as 48 hours
SPINAL FUSION SURGERY
What to expect
From the moment you visit us for your spinal appoinment or treatment, until you’re ready to leave, we want you to feel as comfortable and reassured as possible.
One of the ways we can put you at ease is to let you know what to expect at each stage.
If you have any questions that aren’t answered here, or in the FAQ section below, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team will be happy to help in any way they can.
One of the ways we can put you at ease is to let you know what to expect at each stage.
If you have any questions that aren’t answered here, or in the FAQ section below, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team will be happy to help in any way they can.
01
Initial consultation
Whether you’ve self-referred or have a referral from your GP, the first step is always an initial consultation with one of our spinal specialists.
At this appointment, your consultant will ask about your medical history, carry out a physical examination of your back and arrange any necessary investigative diagnostic tests.
At this appointment, your consultant will ask about your medical history, carry out a physical examination of your back and arrange any necessary investigative diagnostic tests.
02
Tests and scans
At HCA UK, you’ll have access to the UK’s most comprehensive private diagnostics network.
Your consultant may arrange for you to have an X-ray or an MRI scan. These will let your consultant view your spine in more detail so they can make a diagnosis.
Your consultant will share your results with you and recommend the best course of treatment for your chronic back pain. If you need surgery, they’ll explain the procedure to you, ensuring you’re aware of every detail so you know what to expect, and answer any questions you may have.
You’ll also be given information on what you need to do to prepare for your surgery.
Your consultant may arrange for you to have an X-ray or an MRI scan. These will let your consultant view your spine in more detail so they can make a diagnosis.
Your consultant will share your results with you and recommend the best course of treatment for your chronic back pain. If you need surgery, they’ll explain the procedure to you, ensuring you’re aware of every detail so you know what to expect, and answer any questions you may have.
You’ll also be given information on what you need to do to prepare for your surgery.
03
Surgery
You’ll be given a general anaesthetic before your surgery. The type of spinal fusion surgery you have will depend on what part of your spine your consultant is trying to reach and what kind of fusion you’ll need.
Your consultant will either access your spine from your back (posterior), front (anterior) or side (lateral), or a combination of these. Depending on the type of fusion required, you may have open surgery or a minimally invasive approach may be possible.
To strengthen the fusion, your consultant will insert bone material between the vertebrae. The bone material may come from somewhere else in your body (a graft), from a donor or a synthetic bone-like material may be used. Your consultant may also screws, plates or rods to further strengthen the fusion between the vertebrae.
Spinal fusion surgery typically takes two to four hours, depending on the complexity of your condition and the surgical approach used.
Your consultant will either access your spine from your back (posterior), front (anterior) or side (lateral), or a combination of these. Depending on the type of fusion required, you may have open surgery or a minimally invasive approach may be possible.
To strengthen the fusion, your consultant will insert bone material between the vertebrae. The bone material may come from somewhere else in your body (a graft), from a donor or a synthetic bone-like material may be used. Your consultant may also screws, plates or rods to further strengthen the fusion between the vertebrae.
Spinal fusion surgery typically takes two to four hours, depending on the complexity of your condition and the surgical approach used.
04
After surgery
We’ll monitor you closely after your procedure and keep you comfortable with pain relief medication. Most patients will be in hospital for a couple of days but it depends on the complexity of your procedure. We’ll take care of you for as long as your recovery requires.
You’ll be visited by our inpatient physiotherapy team, who’ll show you how to sit, stand and move safely as your vertebrae fuse.
You’ll have follow-up consultations after the procedure so your consultant can check on your progress.
You’ll be visited by our inpatient physiotherapy team, who’ll show you how to sit, stand and move safely as your vertebrae fuse.
You’ll have follow-up consultations after the procedure so your consultant can check on your progress.
Locations
Access our spinal treatments at our hospitals across London and in Birmingham. Our private hospitals have a higher proportion of 'Outstanding' ratings from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) than any other private healthcare group in the UK.
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road SW1W 8RH London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
Accessing private healthcare
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll offer you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what treatments you’re paying for.
Find out more
Spinal fusion surgery FAQs
Most patients stay in hospital for two or three days after their spinal fusion surgery, but we’ll care for you as long as your recovery requires. We’ll give you pain relief medication to help with any pain and discomfort.
It’s important to remember that the fusion process takes time. It can take several months for the vertebrae to become one solid bone and your consultant may recommend that you wear a brace to keep your spine straight. Our specialist physiotherapy team will advise you on how to move, sit, stand and walk in a way to protect the spine’s alignment.
You’ll be able to resume some of your light day-to-day activities within a few weeks after surgery. You should notice a steady improvement. Full recovery from pain is expected, but it’s common for people to have some reduced flexibility.
You’ll be able to resume some of your light day-to-day activities within a few weeks after surgery. You should notice a steady improvement. Full recovery from pain is expected, but it’s common for people to have some reduced flexibility.
Depending on your job, you may be able to return within a few months. Your consultant will be able to advise you on this during a follow-up appointment.
It’s important to keep the back straight and to avoid any bending, twisting and lifting during your recovery period. You’ll also need avoid any strenuous activities, such a jogging, swimming, riding a bike or going to the gym, until your consultant says it is safe to do so.
You should also avoid driving for a period after your surgery. Your consultant will advise you on this.
You should also avoid driving for a period after your surgery. Your consultant will advise you on this.
Our patients’ stories
Getting back to normal after spinal surgery: Ruth’s story
When consultant spinal surgeon Mr Robert Lee first glanced at the MRI scan of retired music teacher Ruth’s lumbar spine, he did a double take.
Back on track: How surgery helped a visitor from America get free from pain
Brandon Zuck had just arrived in the UK from America. It was the beginning of a holiday he’d been looking forward to, a chance to catch up with friends, a little sightseeing. Needless to say, a complex surgical procedure was not on the must-do list.
Bode's successful spinal surgery at just 14
Bode's (14) surgery fitted her with one titanium and one cobalt chrome rod on either side of her spine held in place by 18 screws. Comparing the before and after X-Rays, they managed to make her spine perfectly straight which Bode says, "was incredible.” She’s now reassuring other young patients with Idiopathic Adolescent Scoliosis.
“At my six-week post-op visit, Mr Lee was really pleased with my recovery. An X-ray of my back showed the surgery went exactly as he'd hoped. He said I was going from strength to strength, my movements are coming on nicely and, by our six-month appointment I should be completely back to normal. I felt pretty euphoric after hearing that.”
Reviewed by
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.