Spinal
Our unit is dedicated to the diagnosis, investigation and treatment of all problems affecting the spine. We manage and treat patients in all age groups with spinal emergencies and non-urgent problems.
More on what we do
We manage patients with spinal infections, broken spines as result of accidents, spinal cancers and other emergencies. We offer a consultant-led service, which runs 24/7, 365 days of the year.
We aim to help patients with spinal pain, nerve root pain down arms or legs (sciatica), spinal cord compression (myelopathy), spinal shape problems (deformity) in all age groups, including children.
Our consultant spinal surgeons and medical staff work closely with other doctors across the hospital, such as the paediatricians, oncologists and dedicated musculoskeletal radiologists (medical imaging doctors).
We also work with the medical imaging department to help confirm diagnosis and/or help plan surgery. Specialist from the RD&E's pain management and physiotherapy teams are also here to help our spinal patients.
Treatments
We offer a range of treatments, including:
Lumbar spinal injections aim to diagnose the origin of lower back spinal pain
Lumbar spinal decompression operation to relieve referred pain from the lower back into the legs
Lumbar fusion aims to relieve referred pain from the lower back referred into the legs and stop nerves being compressed by abnormal movement in the spine
Coccygectomy aims to relieve tailbone pain
Cervical decompression and fusion (from the front of the neck or back of the neck) aims to relieve pressure on nerves causing arm pain (radiculopathy) and or relive pressure on the spinal cord (myelopathy)
Scoliosis correction in both adults (for pain) and children (to stop progressive shape change and improve appearance)
Our team
Our consultants are:
- Mr Michael Anderton, Consultant spine surgeon
- Mr Henry Budd, Consultant spine surgeon
- Mr Andrew Clarke, Consultant spine surgeon
- Mr Shahid Khan, Consultant spine surgeon
- Mr Savi Prakash, Locum Consultant spine surgeon
- Mr Wisam Selbi, Consultant spine surgeon
- Mr Oliver Stokes, Consultant spine surgeon
We also have several Extended Scope Practitioners (ESPs) within the department:
- Nick Blade
- James Hiett
- Amanda MacLennan
- Faye McCluskey
- Jack Trudgeon
ESPs are highly-trained specialist practitioners who are very experienced in the management of patients with spinal disorders. They see patients in clinic and advise them on treatment, including requesting investigations, seeing the pain team, seeing a surgeon or more focused physiotherapy.
The team also includes two Spinal Fellows and two Middle Grades.
Where to find us
RD&E Wonford, Barrack Rd, Exeter EX2 5DW
Princess Elizabeth Orthopaedic Centre
Contact us
To get in touch with the spinal team, please contact us on 01392 404724.
Patient leaflets and documents
Helpful websites
Children and young people
The peninsular paediatric spinal deformity centre is based at Exeter. Please make a direct referral to the unit by letter.
We will aim to see the patient as locally as possible.