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Our spine consultants

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Benefit from the latest expertise in surgical and non-surgical spinal techniques with leading specialist

Meet Mr Yoon, one of the UK’s leading spinal surgeons. His journey started with graduating from University College London & The Middlesex Hospital in 2000 before completing his specialist training on the prestigious Barts & The Royal London Rotation. In 2012, Mr Yoon awarded the FRCS (Tr&Orth) and specialist registration CCT.

He undertook dual complex Spine fellowship training at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, London and The Royal Adelaide Hospital, Australia working with the top Australian spinal surgeons. He was conferred the Charles Manning award for his work on early onset scoliosis in 2013. He is internationally recognised and was appointed as a Consultant Spinal Surgeon based at the Queens Medical Centre in Nottingham and the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust since 2015.

His practice covers all spinal problems from the neck and back to the coccyx. Mr Yoon has a special interest in paediatric and adult deformity and is a member of the British Association of Spinal Surgeons, British Scoliosis Society and holds committee positions in the Scoliosis Research Society as well as the European Spinal Society.

Recently, he was featured on BBC Television Hospital Series 3 during ‘winter pressures’ performing scoliosis surgery in children using an enhanced recovery pathway and a surgery on severely deformed spine in a boy.

Meet Anne Mitchener, with over 20 years’ spinal surgery experience, she’s a vastly experienced consultant neurosurgeon, who specialises in the treatment of degenerate spine, including referred pain in the back, neck, arms, and legs. She is a firm advocate of the use of non-operative approaches, such as injections, and the latest minimally invasive surgical techniques.

Mrs Mitchener has lectured and trained surgeons, helped develop spinal technologies and is a member of the British Association of Spinal Surgeons, Society of British Neurological Surgeons, Royal College of Surgeons of England, and Independent Doctors Federation.

Specialist Paediatric Consultant Mr Thomas Crompton is available to see children for any orthopaedic condition, including spine.

Spine anatomy

The spine, also called the backbone, plays a vital role in stability, smooth movement and protection of the delicate spinal cord. It is made up of bony segments called vertebrae with fibrous tissue called intervertebral discs between them. The vertebrae and discs form the spinal column from the head to the pelvis, giving symmetry and support to the body.

The spine can be divided into 4 parts: cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral. The cervical spine comprises the first 7 vertebrae of the spinal column, which form the neck. It is highly mobile compared to other regions of the spine and has transverse foramina in each vertebra through which the vertebral arteries supply blood to the brain.

The Thoracic spine is the central region, which runs from the base of the neck to the bottom of your rib cage, comprising the next 12 vertebrae. Its main task is to provide the flexibility that holds the body upright, supporting posture and protecting the organs of the chest.

The lumbar spine is composed of the lower 5 vertebrae, making 24 in total along the length of the column. These vertebrae are taller and bulkier than the rest of the spine. Primarily this is because the lower back must withstand higher pressure due to body weight and other movements such as lifting, pulling and twisting. In some individuals, an extra or sixth lumbar vertebra may be present, which can cause complications such as decreased flexibility and bulging or herniated discs.

Finally, below the lumbar spine but connected to it lies the sacrum, which is a triangular bone at the base of the column which slots into the two pelvic bones.

spine anatomy diagram

Testimonials

What our patients say

Browse our wide range of success stories

Holly, now 26, was diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis of the spine at 14. She is delighted with the results of her scoliosis correction, which she chose Prof Arun Ranganathan to perform.
Prof Arun RanganathanSpine
Spinal fusion surgery with Prof Arun Ranganathan was life changing for Jan, a 53-year old vet, who needed surgery following a fall down the stairs.
Prof Arun RanganathanSpine

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