man holding his arm in pain

Brachialgia: what is it, and what causes it?

Top Doctors recently had the pleasure of speaking with highly esteemed London-based consultant neurosurgeon, Mrs Anne Mitchener. Here, the mightily experienced doctor explains how exactly brachialgia is diagnosed, what the main symptoms are, and reveals the most effective treatment options. What are the symptoms of brachialgia? Brachialgia is pain in the arm and usually arises from the spine in the neck,…

Woman with back pain

Sciatica vs. back pain: how do they differ?

The term back pain can be used to describe a range of symptoms that occur from muscle strain or injury to the bone structures or nerves along the spine. Sciatica is a very specific type of pain radiating from the longest nerve in the body, the sciatica nerve, which is distinctively felt in the lower back, buttocks and down the leg and/or foot, and usually occurs on one side of the body. Here, leading neurosurgeon Mrs…

Slipped disc

Slipped disc: how painful is it?

The bones that make up the spinal column are cushioned and protected by discs that absorb shocks which may occur from everyday activities, including general lifting and twisting. A slipped disc, or spinal disc prolapse, can cause pain and discomfort if it becomes weak or compresses one of the spinal nerves.We’ve asked one of our expert neurosurgeons Mrs Anne Mitchener to explain what happens when…