Neurosurgery is a surgical speciality that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of conditions that effect the brain, spine and peripheral nerves.
The service at Addenbrooke's provides care to both adults and children with neurosurgical conditions.
Guidance for patients
Lumbar decompression
Some people as they get older develop narrowing of the space available for the nerves in the lower back. This narrowing can cause pressure on the nerves, which causes a variety of symptoms in the back and legs. Very rarely this pressure can disturb the nerves to the bladder and bowel.
Lumbar decompression is used to describe procedures in which more space is created for the nerves in the lower back.
Other common procedures performed on the spine include:
- operations on the neck
- treatment of spinal fractures
What should I do if my health is deteriorating?
You may feel your condition is deteriorating if you have any of the following:
- Worsening of pain
- Walking becoming more difficult
- Changes in bladder or bowel function
- Any worsening of the symptoms that you had when you first saw your surgeon
If you feel that your spinal condition is deteriorating while you are waiting for treatment you should seek medical attention.
However, if you believe your deterioration is an emergency then urgent care can be accessed via NHS 111, your local accident and emergency department or walk in centre.
Contact us
Non-emergency medical advice can be accessed from via a number of avenues. On the correspondence from your clinic appointments with your neurosurgeon are the details of their secretary who can be contacted.
The neurosurgical department at Addenbrooke's has a number of clinical nurse specialists who are also available for queries related to any deterioration in your condition.
- Rebecca Legge
Telephone: 01223 216189 - Peony Echavez
Telephone: 01223 256981 - Eva Nabbanja
Telephone: 01223 274492 - Giando Basile
Telephone: 01223 216189 - Ingela Oberg
- Gemma Bullen
- Anna Mannina
Telephone: 01223 256246
- Nicola Owen
- Kirsty Grieve
Telephone: 01223 216127
If you have a general query about when your procedure is likely to be then please contact our admissions coordinator on 01223 217100.
Reviewed: 20 September 2024