Conditions Treated
Dr Wells provides assessment and management for a wide range of brain and spinal conditions in adult patients. Treatment recommendations are tailored to the individual patient, and may include non-operative strategies, minimally invasive procedures, or surgical intervention where appropriate.
Brain tumours
Brain tumours can present with a wide range of symptoms including headaches, seizures, weakness, balance difficulties, memory changes, or speech disturbance. Diagnosis typically requires a brain scan (CT and MRI imaging), and sometimes additional specialised investigations.
Dr Wells manages patients with both benign and malignant brain tumours, including gliomas, meningiomas, and metastatic tumours (tumours that have spread to the brain from another body site such as the lung or the bowel). Treatment recommendations are individualised and may include observation for benign tumours, surgery to resect the tumour, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or even a combination of treatments.
Brain surgery is carefully planned and uses cutting edge technology and surgical techniques with the aim of maximising tumour removal while protecting important brain function. Dr Wells works closely with a multidisciplinary team including neurologists, oncologists, radiologists, and rehabilitation specialists to provide comprehensive care throughout diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.
Learn more about brain tumour surgery here.
Sciatica and lumbar disc prolapse
Sciatica commonly occurs when a lumbar disc prolapses and places pressure on one of the nerves in the lower back that ultimately form part of the sciatic nerve. Symptoms may include nerve pain that radiates down the leg, numbness, tingling, or weakness such as foot drop.
Many patients improve with non-operative treatment including physiotherapy, activity modification, and pain management. Some patients have symptom benefit from a cortisone injection around the affected nerve root, which is typically performed in a radiology suite under CT guidance. Surgery may be considered when symptoms are severe, progressive, or persistent despite conservative treatment.
Lumbar discectomy surgery aims to relieve pressure on the affected nerve and can often result in immediate improvement in leg pain. Treatment decisions are tailored to the individual patient, their imaging findings, lifestyle, and ultimate goals for recovery.
Lumbar canal stenosis and neurogenic claudication
Lumbar canal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal that can place pressure on the nerves in the lower back. It commonly affects older adults and may cause back pain, leg pain, numbness, heaviness, or difficulty standing or walking. Many patients notice their symptoms improve when they are sitting down or leaning forward.
Initial treatment may include physiotherapy, exercise modification, pain medications, or spinal injections. When symptoms significantly affect mobility or quality of life, surgery may be recommended.
Surgical treatment aims to decompress the affected nerves and improve walking tolerance, leg symptoms, and overall function. In some patients this can be achieved with decompression surgery alone, while others may require spinal fusion. The decision on whether a patient would need a decompression or a fusion procedure depends highly on any associated instability or the degree of spinal degeneration.
Cervical radiculopathy, cervical myelopathy and ACDF surgery
Disc prolapses or degenerative changes in the cervical spine can place pressure on the spinal cord or exiting nerve roots that travel to the arms and hands. Cervical radiculopathy typically causes arm or hand pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness, while cervical myelopathy may result in hand clumsiness, balance difficulties, walking disturbance, or loss of fine motor control.
Assessment includes neurological examination and spinal imaging to determine the severity and location of nerve or spinal cord compression.
Many patients improve with non-operative management, however surgery may be recommended when symptoms are progressive, severe, or associated with spinal cord compression. Sometimes surgery can be avoided or delayed by performing a CT guided cortisone injection targeting the affected nerve root.
Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) surgery is a commonly performed procedure used to decompress the spinal cord and nerves while stabilising the affected segment of the cervical spine. The goal of surgery is to reduce pain, preserve neurological function, and improve quality of life.
Common Symptoms Assessed
-
Back pain
-
Leg pain and sciatica
-
Neck pain
-
Arm numbness
-
Balance difficulty
-
Weakness
-
Brain tumours
-
Spinal cord compression