Mr L, aged 48
Condition: Spinal stenosis
Treatment: Spinal decompression using an interspinous spacer
Mr Rai's notes
"An MRI scan showed that Mr L had two worn discs and his thecal sac containing the spinal nerves had narrowed. In this case conservative treatment failed. He expected to undergo back surgery and months of rehabilitation, however thanks to a pioneering new procedure using an X-STOP interspinous spacer device, I was able to treat Mr L without a major operation.
He was consented for decompressive surgery. This was possible using a spacer device which was inserted into the lower vertebrae to act as a supportive spring mechanism, relieving nerve pressure and pain. The advantages are that it involves just a small incision, and can usually be done as a day procedure.
The patient's experience
"When the back pain started I was pretty sure it was due to all the years of hard physical labour building up my engineering company and then renovating my home. So I ignored it and kept going. For two years I took anti-inflammatory painkillers but without them the pain was unbearable. The problem didn't go away, it just got steadily worse.
My whole life was affected. I love playing golf but had to stop and I couldn't work on the house. I'd always wanted to water ski but the back problem put an end to any hope of this. I couldn't even tie my shoe laces. Just standing too long caused my legs to tingle and I had to sit.
It was a shock to hear that at 48 I had the spine of a 65 year old, mainly due to the wear and tear on my back from years of heavy physical work. It's a salutary lesson for those in the building industry - take good care of your back.
I thought I'd have to have major back surgery and months of rehabilitation that would end my renovation project but Mr Rai suggested I have a device called an X-STOP implanted in my spine.
I was in and out of hospital in just two days and within eight weeks I was back to my normal daily routine and able to lift heavy loads.
I am delighted with the result. I can play golf again and looking forward to starting to water ski but most importantly I can finish my house!
I'm only in my late 40s and I've a lot more life to lead.
I thought I'd have to have major back surgery and months of rehabilitation but with the procedure Mr Rai recommended, I was in and out of hospital in just two days and within eight weeks, back to my normal daily routine"