Back surgery (spinal surgery) at Spire Edinburgh Hospitals Murrayfield and Shawfair Park

Treatment to relieve pain from compressed nerves in your spine.

At Spire Edinburgh Hospitals, our highly skilled consultants perform back surgery using trusted and clinically proven techniques and innovations.​

Sometimes also called

  • Discectomy
  • Laminectomy
  • Lumbar decompression
  • Microdiscectomy
  • Spinal decompression surgery
  • Spinal fusion test

The procedure(s) listed above are examples only and may not be available at all Spire hospitals.


At a glance

  • Typical hospital stay
    1-4 days

  • Procedure duration
    At least an hour, varies according to type of surgery

  • Type of anaesthetic
    General

  • Available to self-pay?
    Yes

  • Covered by health insurance?
    Yes

Why Spire?

  • Fast access to diagnostic tests and scans
  • Consultants who are experts in their field
  • Clear pricing with no hidden charges

By Wallace Health I Medically reviewed by Adrian Roberts.
Page last reviewed: October 2018 I Next review due: October 2023

Back surgery: what to expect at Spire Edinburgh Hospitals

At Spire Edinburgh Hospitals, you have a choice of expert orthopaedic (bone and muscle) and neurosurgery consultants who perform back surgery to help you return to your everyday activities as quickly as possible. Your consultant will provide you with a treatment and recovery plan that’s personalised to you and your needs. Our nurses and physiotherapists will provide expert aftercare to help you live life to the fullest.

How much does Back surgery (spinal surgery) cost at Spire Edinburgh Hospitals Murrayfield and Shawfair Park

It’s common for this treatment to be done privately, and with our inclusive prices and access to payment plans you’ll find it easier and more affordable, whether or not you have medical insurance.

Back surgery (slipped disc) lower back
Initial consultation £310
Treatment price £9,748
Aftercare Included
From price From £10,058
Monthly treatment price

(Loan applicable to the treatment cost and excludes the initial consultation)

£280
Representative example
Loan amount £8,748
Deposit £1,000
Loan period 36 months
Representative APR 9.9%
Total amount repayable £10,080
Back surgery (trapped nerve release)
Initial consultation £310
Treatment price £10,214
Aftercare Included
From price From £10,524
Monthly treatment price

(Loan applicable to the treatment cost and excludes the initial consultation)

£225
Representative example
Loan amount £8,964
Deposit £1,250
Loan period 48 months
Representative APR 9.9%
Total amount repayable £10,800
Back surgery (slipped disc) lower back and facet joints
Initial consultation £320
Treatment price £10,969
Aftercare Included
From price From £11,289
Monthly treatment price

(Loan applicable to the treatment cost and excludes the initial consultation)

£244
Representative example
Loan amount £9,719
Deposit £1,250
Loan period 48 months
Representative APR 9.9%
Total amount repayable £11,712

The price shown is the ‘from price’ (ie the minimum cost of the procedure). Please note that for some procedures the actual price you are quoted may vary significantly and can increase depending on your choice of Consultant (who is an independent practitioner and not an employee of Spire). The fees charged by Consultants and Anaesthetists are set independently and are outside the control of Spire. The price may also vary depending on the type of anaesthetic, implant or drug used, and your medical history.

Spire Edinburgh Hospitals Murrayfield and Shawfair Park can provide you with a single, fixed price for your procedure so there are no surprises. Please read Spire Healthcare's terms and conditions for full details of what’s included and excluded in your fixed price when paying for yourself. Finance options are available through our partner Omni Capital Retail Finance Ltd, 10 Norwich Street, London, EC4A 1BD.

Procedures offered for back surgery at Spire Edinburgh Hospitals

At Spire Edinburgh Hospitals, our consultants are highly skilled at performing back surgery for a variety of conditions. Your consultant will be able to recommend the best type of surgery for your needs. This may include one or more of the following:

  • Discectomy – to remove part, or all, of a slipped disc and relieve associated symptoms
  • Laminectomy – to remove part of a vertebra to relieve pressure on the spinal cord
  • Spinal fusion – your surgeon takes a piece of bone from elsewhere in your body (usually your hip) to insert between two vertebrae to strengthen them

We’re able to offer innovative surgical techniques that have been designed to improve outcomes. These include:

  • If your consultant thinks it’s right for you, they may perform a minimally invasive back surgery – this usually means a faster recovery time while still achieving the same outcomes
  • Endoscopic discectomy where the surgeon makes very small incisions and is able to remove a spinal disc without removing bones and soft tissues
  • Interspinous distraction can be used for lumbar spinal stenosis, where a device is implanted between two vertebrae to relieve a trapped or compressed nerve
  • Synthetic bone substitutes are available which means your consultant doesn’t need to remove bone from elsewhere in your body to fuse your vertebrae

Preparing for back surgery at Spire Edinburgh Hospitals

Getting here

Spire Murrayfield is an approximate 20 minute drive east from Edinburgh Airport or 10 minutes west from Haymarket train station.

Spire Shawfair Park is to the south east of Edinburgh city centre, conveniently located close to the City Bypass and the Royal Infirmary.

Both hospitals have free parking for you and your visitors.

Your consultations

During your consultations, you’ll meet one of our expert consultants who’ll:

  • Discuss your medical history
  • Assess whether tests and scans are required, such as an X-ray, an MRI or a CT scan, so they can look at your back in more detail
  • Discuss which type of surgery you’ll need for your condition and what it’ll involve
  • Explain about the general anaesthetic and how it may affect you

All of your consultations will take place in one of our consultation rooms. These consultations give you an opportunity to ask questions and get advice about what’s best for you. Once you’ve decided to go ahead with back surgery, your consultant will help you prepare, and explain the next steps.

Back (spinal fusion) surgery

Watch how back surgery takes place

Back surgery: your procedure

When you come in for your operation, you’ll be with us for one to four days.

If you’ve come with a friend or family member, they’re welcome to wait in our lounge while you have your surgery.

Here’s what will happen on the day of your back surgery:

  • You’ll meet your surgery team and anaesthetist
  • Your anaesthetist will administer the general anaesthetic, which will send you to sleep for the operation
  • Once it’s taken effect, your surgeon will make the first incision and start your procedure

Q & A

Alwyn Jones, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon

Talking about back surgery

Back surgery: your recovery

You’ll start your recovery back in your private room.

After surgery, you’ll probably feel some pain or discomfort – this is normal after surgery. Our nursing team will give you painkillers to help you with this and may provide medications to prevent infection and reduce the risk of clotting.

One of our physiotherapists will help get you moving again and provide you with some exercises you can do throughout your recovery to help you get the best possible outcomes.

Although everybody’s different and you should always follow your consultant’s advice, here’s a typical recovery timeline for back surgery:

1-4 days

Leave hospital

2-6 weeks

Able to drive

4-6 weeks

Return to light work

Up to 12 weeks

Return to manual labour work

2-3 months

Return to your usual activities

  • 1-4 days


    Leave hospital

  • 2-6 weeks


    Able to drive

  • 4-6 weeks


    Return to light work

  • Up to 12 weeks


    Return to manual labour work

  • 2-3 months


    Return to your usual activities

The treatment described on this page may be adapted to meet your individual needs, so it's important to follow your healthcare professional's advice and raise any questions that you may have with them.

How to get to us

Spire Murrayfield is an approximate 20 minute drive from Edinburgh Airport or 10 minutes from Haymarket train station. Regular buses serve the area well. Spire Shawfair Park is located to the south east of the city centre close to the City Bypass and the Royal Infirmary at 10 Easter Shawfair, Edinburgh, EH22 1FE.

Find us on Google maps

Spire Edinburgh Hospitals Murrayfield and Shawfair Park,

Spire Murrayfield Hospital
122 Corstorphine Road
Edinburgh
EH12 6UD

Get in touch

36926
True
treatment

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