Patrick McKenna, Spinal Surgeon

Back pain can be caused by degeneration of a lumbar disc. Painful discs generally cause low back pain when pressure is put through them whilst, for example, sitting or bending forwards. Symptoms can be extremely restrictive and fail to improve with simple measures such as time, physiotherapy, steroid injections and analgesia. 

Total disc replacement surgery is a long-estabished treatment for painful discs and has been proven in studies to be superior to other operative treatments such as fusion.

Mr McKenna has performed lumbar disc replacement surgery for 20 years and has been an advocate of their effectiveness throughout that time.