Patient Information
When Should You Seek Help?
Many spinal and neurological conditions are treatable — especially when caught early. If you recognise any of the following symptoms, a consultation with a neurosurgeon may be the right next step.
Persistent Neck or Back Pain
Pain lasting more than 6 weeks that hasn't improved with rest, physiotherapy, or medication. Could indicate disc degeneration, stenosis, or spinal instability. Not all back pain requires surgery — but a thorough assessment can identify the cause and best course of action.
Pain Radiating into Arm or Leg
Sharp, shooting, or burning pain travelling from the neck into the arm, or from the lower back down the leg. Often caused by a compressed nerve root. The pain may be worse with certain movements and can be debilitating if left untreated.
Numbness or Tingling
A pins-and-needles sensation, loss of feeling, or persistent numbness in the hands, arms, feet, or legs. This can indicate nerve compression or spinal cord involvement — particularly if progressive or affecting both sides of the body.
Weakness in Arms or Legs
Difficulty lifting objects, climbing stairs, or a general loss of strength in the limbs. Muscle weakness that is progressive or asymmetric warrants prompt assessment, as it may indicate spinal cord or nerve root compromise.
Difficulty Walking or Balance Problems
Unsteady gait, frequent stumbling, or a feeling that the legs are unreliable or heavy. This can be an early sign of spinal cord compression — particularly in the cervical spine — and should be assessed without delay as it can progress rapidly.
Loss of Hand Dexterity
Dropping objects, difficulty with buttons, writing, or typing, or a general clumsiness of the hands that has developed over time. A classic early sign of degenerative cervical myelopathy — where the spinal cord in the neck is being gradually compressed.
Pain After Previous Spine Surgery
Recurrent or new pain following a previous spinal operation. This may indicate adjacent segment disease, hardware failure, or scar tissue formation. Dr. Duff has extensive experience in revision spine surgery and can assess whether further intervention is appropriate.
Pain Unresponsive to Treatment
Neck or back pain that has persisted despite physiotherapy, pain medication, or injections. When conservative management has been exhausted, a neurosurgical opinion can determine whether an underlying structural cause is amenable to surgical correction.
Some symptoms require prompt medical attention
While most spinal conditions can be assessed at a routine consultation, certain symptoms may indicate a more urgent underlying problem. If you are experiencing any of the following, we recommend seeking medical attention sooner rather than later — ideally the same day.
- Sudden loss of bladder or bowel control
- Rapidly progressive weakness in both legs
- Numbness in the groin or inner thighs
- Sudden severe neck or back pain following a fall or trauma
- Sudden loss of coordination or inability to walk
- Severe headache with neck stiffness and light sensitivity
- New onset arm or leg paralysis
These symptoms can sometimes indicate conditions such as cauda equina syndrome or spinal cord injury, which benefit from early treatment. If you are uncertain, it is always better to be seen promptly.
Contact Mediclinic City Hospital — +971 4 435 9999
Patient Education
When Should You See a Neurosurgeon for Back Pain?
Back pain is common and often improves with conservative treatment. However, persistent pain or symptoms affecting the nerves may require specialist assessment. In this short video, Dr. Duff explains when it may be appropriate to seek a neurosurgical opinion.
Watch the video →