Top 5 Back Surgeons in London

Surgeons that operate on the spine typically fall into two categories… orthopaedic surgeons, and neurosurgeons. Now many neurosurgeons specialise in the brain and spinal cord, some do operate on backs.

Having working in London for 20+ years, I’ve come across a real mix of some very talented surgeons, and some downright terrible ones. I’ve seen patients have awful responses to surgery, but I’ve seen some patients repeatedly rave about the same surgeons. I really believe that a strong recommendation goes a long way. So, I’ve created a list of my top 5 spinal back surgeons in London.

Why would you trust our recommendation? Simple, we’ve rehabilitated hundreds of thousands of patients in London over two decades.

The most commonly operated spinal procedure for back pain is disc operations. Often, they fall into micro-discectomy, but could also involve spinal fusion, widening the spinal canal, and repairing fractures in the spine.

Let’s look at our Top 5 Spinal Back Surgeons:

1. Michael Kotrba

Having referred patients to Michael since 2005, I feel very comfortable to refer patients to him. I always believe in something called “The Mum Test”. Who would we send our mother to? That was an easy decision when my sister found my mother lying on the floor with dreadful sciatica. We sent her straight to Michael Kotrba who immediately ordered an MRI scan and epidural. That was the start of what ended up being about 9 months of physio rehab, but Michael supported her throughout and luckily the quick intervention meant she didn’t need surgery (although having a huge disc prolapse). Michael is based at Shirley Oaks Hospital in Croydon, and St. Anthony’s Hospital in Cheam.

2. Colin Natali

I first met Colin at the Back Show, at Kensington Olympia. We were both part of the steering group for the inaugural show in 2006. He is a reputable, safe surgeon based out of central London. Colin Natali is a British orthopaedic consultant specialising in back and spinal surgery. Dr Natali has a wealth of experience treating spinal disorders and is known for his holistic approach to patient care. He is particularly recognised for his focus on minimal intervention, advocating for non-surgical treatment methods where possible. Dr Natali also has a keen interest in research and innovation within his field. He has published various research papers, contributing to the advancement of orthopaedic and spinal healthcare.

3. To be confirmed – think you could make our top 5? Send us an email to tim at surreyphysio with your experience and 5 real patient testimonials, and let’s arrange a video call.

4. think you could make our top 5? Send us an email to tim at surreyphysio with your experience and 5 real patient testimonials, and let’s arrange a video call.

5. think you could make our top 5? Send us an email to tim at surreyphysio with your experience and 5 real patient testimonials, and let’s arrange a video call.

Making the decision to see one or other surgeon is a difficult choice. However, we believe recommendation is key. You also have the ability to seek a consultation with more than one surgeon. Yes, it will probably cost you £250 (at the time of writing), but if you are not sure, seek a second opinion from another consultant too. We hope this guide helps you make a decision. And please don’t forget to mention our name if you do see a consultant on this page.

(Therapists, osteopaths, sports therapists, chiropractors reading this page… if you love the exercises here, then please check out the amazing exercise prescription tool www.rehabmypatient.com. You can sign up for a free 14-day trial, and it’s affordable to buy, with pricing starting from £11.23 per month.

If you are a patient, in pain, or elite performance, please call us to discuss your case further. Surrey Physio have an amazing team of therapists to help you recover from pain, but also to achieve top performance. Call us on 0208 685 6930 or click the link at the top to book online.)