Where possible I will try to use a minimal access approach, as I find that patients are able to leave hospital sooner and have a less traumatic, more rapid recovery. In all cases I view spinal surgery as the final option, when all other measures have failed, or when symptoms become so severe an operation is indicated. The links below are for some of the more common procedures undertaken for spinal problems. All of these are offered in line with the new National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidelines