Stepping Hill Hospital is now carrying out a specialist form of neck surgery to provide swifter treatment for patients with spinal cord or nerve compression.

The neck surgery, which is medically referred to as cervical spine or C-spine surgery, involves the removal of discs, ligaments or bones to treat these disabling conditions. They can be caused by slipped discs pressing on the nerves which can cause arm pain, or directly on to the spinal cord. This can cause people to become unsteady and fall over, and in severe cases, even paralysis.

In the Greater Manchester region, this specialist surgery was previously only available at Salford Royal Hospital. Stepping Hill Hospital is only the second hospital in the area to perform these operations.

This surgery can also be carried out as an emergency in patients with neck injuries, cancer or infections. David Kick, a 56 year old HGV driver from Offerton in Stockport was rushed to hospital with a neck abscess, which is a deep neck infection which can often be fatal. Unknowingly he had developed diabetes, which was uncontrolled, and this had led to the severe infection.

When David arrived at Stepping Hill Hospital he was unable to move his arms or legs and had septicaemia, a life-threatening blood infection. He was rushed from the hospital’s A&E and acute medical unit for an emergency neck (C-spine) operation to drain the abscess and another abscess was drained from his leg. With a longer delay he may not have survived.

David was in intensive care for ten days, but is now recovering well on the hospital’s spinal ward. He will soon be moving to their off-site Devonshire Unit, but is now walking again and hopes to be up and about for his son’s wedding in June.

David said, “I’m so grateful that Stepping Hill Hospital now does this surgery, as it’s made all the difference for me. I’ve been here eight weeks and the care I’ve had from all the staff has been extraordinary.’

The C-spine surgery is carried out by a team led by surgeon Mr Parmjit Sian.

Mr Sian explains “The fact that we can now carry out this surgery at Stepping Hill Hospital can mean the difference between life and death for a patient like David. It is complex surgery as the cervical spine contains seven bones, known as vertebrae. These bones are stacked on top of one another and linked by discs, ligaments, and muscles which surround the spinal cord and nerves. “

“The surgical goal is to restore spinal stability and create some room for the spinal cord and nerves. Patients generally have a good recovery and eventually can return to activities of daily living.”