Consultant Spine Surgeon Mr Colin Natali - Part 1

In this episode of ‘Interview the Expert’ we speak with Consultant Spine Surgeon Mr Colin Natali. Mr Natali has extensive experience with spinal reconstruction, fusions, discectomies and most other interventions for neck and back pain.

Topics include:

1:15 - Why did you become a spine surgeon?
3:10 - How does a spine surgery journey start for the patient? Surgeons do not fix a problem, they fix a symptom.
7:17 - Research suggests neurogenic pain is the worst pain a patient can suffer.
8:30 - Not knowing what to do as a patient and the choices available. It is key that patients are educated - the Montgomery Principle.
13:40 - How long do I wait for potential surgery?
16:05 - Dural tear rate and what is a dural tear? (4% rate by the general data)
17:15 - What is a more serious presentation, motor deficit or pain?
21:19 - Are multiple motor deficits more serious? (e.g. foot drop and weakness at the knee)
22:03 - What are the most common procedures?
22:35 - What are the differences between the discectomy and decompression procedures?
26:52 - Do you know everything prior to the procedure? Scans are good but these change over time. Fresh MRI’s are key (they become time expired)