Patient Information Leaflets

A Spinal brace is a device that is worn to limit the movement of the spine.

A lumbar microdiscectomy is performed for someone who has a prolapsed disc in the lower back area, sometimes known as a slipped disc.

A lumbar puncture (LP), sometimes called a ‘spinal tap’ is a medical procedure carried out to obtain a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) – by inserting a needle between two bones in your lower spine (vertebrae).

Information to help you understand what will happen to you during your time with us for lumber spinal surgery. It also contains your physiotherapy exercises for you to do following your surgery and some general advice following lumbar spinal surgery.

A sympathetic nerve block involves injecting medicine around the sympathetic nerves in your lower back. By doing this, the sympathetic system is temporarily blocked in the hope of reducing or eliminating pain.

MR scanning is used to investigate a wide variety of conditions. It has several advantages over conventional imaging methods. One of the main advantages is that the procedure does not involve the use of ionising radiation (X-rays).

Thrombectomy involves the removal of a blood clot to improve blood flow to the brain. This can help people with their recovery from stroke but, as with all treatments, there are potential benefits and disadvantages to weigh up.

Facet joint nerve block involves temporarily numbing the nerve supply of the facet joint and adjoining soft tissue.

Methadone is a strong pain killer and is classed as an opioid.

There are many different types of headache, migraine, cluster headaches, sinus headache, and more. However, more than 90% of headaches will be caused by migraine – this booklet will help you to identify if your headaches are due to migraine and if so, how best to stop them happening.