NEAL SINGLETON
Orthopaedic Surgeon
SPINE SURGERY
In my practice I see and manage all spinal conditions including acute and degenerative cervical, thoracic and lumbar pathologies. I have a particular focus on minimally invasive surgery and use 3-Dimensional navigation whenever possible to enhance surgical outcome. I also work closely with local pain specialists and allied health teams to tailor rehabilitation programmes aiming to restore function. Other non-operative treatments include spinal injections.
CERVICAL SPINE SURGERY
Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion
Cervical disc replacement
Posterior cervical decompression and fusion
Posterior cervical laminoplasty
Posterior cervical foraminotomy
LUMBAR SPINE SURGERY
Anterior lumbar fusion
Lateral lumbar fusion
Posterior lumbar fusion
Scoliosis correction
Lumbar decompression
Lumbar discectomy
SPINE SURGERY
Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion
An anterior cervical discectomy and fusion involves making an incision in the front of your neck in order to remove a bulging or degenerative disc causing pressure on your spinal cord and/or spinal nerves and replacing it with an appropriate fitting titanium cage filled with bone graft. Normally a plate is then secured along the front of the vertebrae spanning the levels to aid in fusion of the bones. You are able to move your neck immediately after this surgery without the need for a neck brace.
Cervical disc arthroplasty
A cervical disc arthroplasty involves making an incision in the front of your neck in order to remove a bulging or degenerative disc causing pressure on your spinal cord and/or spinal nerves and replacing it with an artificial disc device that preserves movement. This procedure avoids the need for a fusion but is not suitable in all patients. You are able to move your neck immediately after this surgery without the need for a neck brace.
Posterior cervical decompression and fusion
A posterior cervical decompression and fusion involves making an incision in the back of your neck. Bone is removed to take pressure off your spinal cord. Screws and rods are placed in order to fuse the bones together. You are able to move your neck immediately after this surgery without the need for a neck brace.
Posterior cervical laminoplasty
Posterior cervical laminoplasty involves making an incision in the back of your neck. A trough is burred in the bone in order to open the bone and create more space for the underlying spinal cord and spinal nerves. This trough is held open with small plates and screws. This procedure does not involve fusing your neck. You are able to move your neck immediately after this surgery without the need for a neck brace.
Posterior cervical foraminotomy
A posterior cervical foraminotomy involves making an incision in the back of your neck. A small area of bone is removed in order to relieve pressure on a spinal nerve. You are able to move your neck immediately after this surgery without the need for a neck brace.
Anterior lumbar fusion
An anterior lumbar fusion involves making an incision in the front of your abdomen either in the midline or just to the left of it and approaching your spine from the front. A disc is removed and replaced with a metal cage filled with bone graft that is secured in place with screws in order to fuse two vertebrae together. Patients are generally very comfortable after this surgery and are able to mobilise immediately after with most returning to work/activity by 6 weeks.
Lateral lumbar fusion
A lateral lumbar fusion involves making an incision in the side of your abdomen and approaching your spine from the side. A disc is removed and replaced with a metal cage filled with bone graft. Generally screws and rods are then placed from the back by small incisions to aid the fusion. Patients are generally very comfortable after this surgery and are able to mobilise immediately after with most returning to work/activity by 6 weeks.
Posterior lumbar fusion
A posterior lumbar fusion involves making an incision in the midline of your back. Screws and rods are placed and bone is then removed to relieve pressure on the underlying sac of spinal nerves. The disc is then removed and replaced with two metal cages filled with bone graft in order to fuse this level.
Posterior lumbar decompression
A posterior lumbar decompression involves making an incision in the midline of your back. Bone is then removed in order to relieve pressure on the underlying sac of spinal nerves. Most patients will notice a significant improvement in their leg pain immediately after this surgery and can be discharged from hospital the first or second day after surgery.
Posterior lumbar discectomy
A lumbar discectomy involves making a small incision in the midline of your back in order to remove a bulging disc that is causing pressure on a spinal nerve. Most patients notice an immediate improvement in leg pain following this surgery and are able to be discharged from hospital the following day after surgery.