London Spine Unit - Back and Neck Pain Clinic Reviews 251

Mr Akmal was extremely professional, explained the condition and was very reassuring while pointing out any possible risks and mitigations. the staff were extremely courteous. the daily check-ins went smoothly.

I've been having lower back pain the Lombard section L4/L5 for a number of years caused by car accident attending the doctor physio doing exercises medication with no improvement things getting worse. Can hardly walk sit down bending pain when sleeping in bed . Came across a website and was referred to the Harley Street Hospital .The first interaction with the receptionist was very good very helpful answered all my questions relating into my inquiry about L4/L5 then giving me one of there consultant name to get in touch with and speak to him regarding my injury to see if he could assist me after filling out the paperwork I eventually did had a online video link with the consultant by the name of Mr Akmal very nice person. After introduced himself to me and spoke to me regarding his findings on the paperwork I had passed on regarding my injury which was my MRI images he came right to the point and said to me that I needed an operation , to be honest I was glad relating to the way he came out with it because going to the other doctors and not really getting someone to actually come out and say things the way it was I could see then from that point he was someone I wanted to work with explaining why I would need the operation also the other treatment option that I could take relating into the kind of injury I had sustained but after all that he came right to the point that it would be my choice but he would advise me to have the operation reasons why I should also with that reassuring me that I shouldn't be worried because it's something he is good at he also explained to me the risk factors and told me to think about it take as long as I want and get back to him when I feel I've made the decision put no pressure on me or trying to influence me . from that moment I felt that I would actually get the situation sorted out . I like the way there kept me inform responded to me within good time when you had a query I think everything was conducted very professional .On the day of the procedure Bilateral L4/5 decomposition/discectomy all the staff was very helpful from first interaction to leaving very professional and I felt comfortable in the way there treated me spoke to me inform me about the procedures and what will happen also
treatment I've received. The follow-up after the operation I think was carried out very professionally and overall I was very happy with the end product which within a shorts space of time a lot of the pain that I was getting before the procedure had improved and I was back On My Feet walking around , quicker than I had expected . Overall I would say I am very happy with everything still early days but I am feeling a lot better looking forward to getting back out and about .

Got an appointment straight away and was seen by Mr Mo Akmal very friendly and explained everything in detail made my dad feel so at ease .

The Spine Unit at Harley Street Hospital truly stands out. The team is made up of highly skilled specialists who deal with a wide range of spinal conditions, and the level of care and professionalism is second to none. They use the latest technology and treatment methods, and everything is done with the patient’s well-being in mind. It’s easy to see why this is considered one of the leading spine units in London.

I recently had the privilege of being treated at the London Spine Unit and I cannot speak highly enough of the entire medical team—especially the outstanding care provided by Mr. Mo Akmal.

From the very first consultation, Mr. Akmal demonstrated exceptional professionalism, deep expertise, and a genuine commitment to patient wellbeing. He took the time to clearly explain my diagnosis, the recommended procedure, and what I could expect in terms of recovery. His calm and confident approach immediately put me at ease.

The surgical procedure itself was executed with remarkable precision. Thanks to Mr. Akmal’s skill and the support of his exceptional team, my recovery has been smooth and far quicker than I anticipated. I was able to walk away from the hospital after 3 hours from the surgery of (2 bilateral decompression of L3/L4, L 4/ L5 + mobile stabilizer insertion at L5). I have noticed a dramatic improvement in my quality of life soon after the procedure.

The entire staff at the London Spine Unit—from the nurses to the administrative team—were consistently attentive, kind, and efficient. Every step of my journey felt personalised, professional, and thoughtfully managed.

If you are considering spinal treatment and want the highest standard of care, I wholeheartedly recommend Mr. Mo Akmal and the London Spine Unit of Harley Street Hospital in London. They truly set the gold standard in spinal care.
Giuseppe Santese

Both Surgeons listened to what caused my injury were Both very
Very Caring & easy to get along with.

Clear with there Explanations in layman's terms

All other staff Receptionists & Medical
Staff Excellent (WORLD CLASS SERVICE)

Following successful surgery, I would be very happy to recommend Mr Mo Akmal and the London Spine Unit.

Prior to the surgery I was in a lot of pain, and an MRI confirmed a badly herniated disc. In initial consultations Mr Akmal clearly explained my condition, and set out the various surgical treatment options. A further EOS (special X ray) was used to clarify the necessary surgery, a spinal fusion of lumber 3 and 4 vertebrae. The operation took place within a week or two of my initial consultation as a day patient. I am very happy with the outcome as I am now, six weeks after the operation, free of pain, with a small amount of remaining discomfort rapidly diminishing. I am very grateful to Mr Akmal and his team for the excellent care I have received.

I am happy to say that I made the best choice possible in selecting the London Spine Unit. My symptoms were carefully reviewed by Dr Lok. I then received balanced, expert advice from Mr Akmal that took into account the full facts of my case. This helped me to make the difficult decision to have an urgent operation, and I was booked in swiftly for a lumbar microdiscectomy. The care provided by the team was excellent, and I felt fully supported recovering at home. I am now pain-free after five months. I am confident that taking immediate action with advice from specialists at the London Spine Unit was 100% the right thing to do.

Mr Akmal and team literally changed my life. I had back surgery which I was terrified about but was up walking within an hour of waking up, and pain free afterwards. I’m 3 weeks post op and totally pain free, sciatica a thing of the past and looking forward to a new lease of life!

The care from all the doctors and nurses was brilliant and the facility is spotless and comfortable.

I`ve seen two consultants prior to Mr Akmal for about 4 years with very little results in resolving my pain. I moved to HSH under Mr Akmal`s care. It was the best decision I could have made. I had a cervical fusion and disk replacement with great results. I was never pushed into any procedures and risks and advantages were explained and remained my decision. I am now 8 weeks post surgery and I am living an active lifestyle, and back to my usual self. I cannot thank Mr Akmal enough.
There were never long waiting time for available procedure dates, and I could go home the same day as my surgery thanks to the minimally invasive methods used.

Mr Akmal is a warm, kind and extremely knowledgable spinal surgeon. His passion and expertise shines through in his consultations. My Grandmother is 85 years old and has suffered from painful spinal stenosis with some spondylosis, she'd find it difficult to walk and stand. His bedside manner was wonderful, she felt really comfortable with the process and he was reassuring throughout. It was amazing how she was able to walk straight after the operation in the ward and within 2 weeks had zero pain. Few months on her posture and strength has continued to improve and she's soon to due to go on a long-haul trip to visit family, the first time in 10 years! Her quality of life has massively improved and we cannot thank Mr Akmal enough.

Mr Akmal. Brilliant caring Dr has a lot of patience. Highly recommend.

Lovely theatre team too....very kind indeed and explain everything.

Just don't be put off by the admin/secretaries there they are rude and very unhelpful. Each encounter has been extremely fustrating to say the least. Don't believe a word they say!! They are a nightmare.....make them put everything in email as proof!.

Mr Akmal identified the problem which in itself was a massive step forward. My hip and leg pain was entirely back related and 9m of unfocused physio had got me nowhere. He set out 4 clear steps of how we could address it. I ended up doing step 1 and 2 (Spine injection and denervation.) I was free of chronic pain for the first time in years. And all done with listening and consideration. Couldn't fault it.

I was suffering from severe back pain and sciatica due to a history back problems / slipped disc, which was making everyday activities difficult. Thankfully, I found Dr Akmal, infact he was recommended to me by my mother in law.

Dr Akmal provided exceptional care and successfully treated the issue. From diagnosis to recovery he was attentive, compassionate, and highly skilled, ensuring I understood my treatment options and what to expect. Thanks to his expertise, I’m now pain-free. He equally has a good team!

i have no hesitation in recommending Dr Akmal and team

I had spinal decompression/discectomy surgery at the LSU 3 weeks ago after suffering with excruciating nerve pain in my right leg for months that kept becoming worse. What began as random strange numbness in my right leg in November 2023 steadily developed into terrible sharp shooting nerve pain from June 2024 down the whole leg to my toes. MRI showed severe prolapsed L5 disc at S1 nerve root level with degeneration in the disc. I was walking with a large waddling gait since July, having muscle spasms, preventing me from driving, working, sleeping, looking after my young children, most things!
I tried 2 different physios, osteo, acupuncture, nothing helped only made symptoms worsen. After a trip to A and E taken in by ambulance, being ignored by the junior doctors, no pain relief given or any tests conducted, I had an epidural injection in August privately which unfortunately didn’t help me personally though for my case however I have heard how it can offer relief to some patients. I then set about exploring the option of surgery. I went to various different clinics but wasn’t satisfied with the consultations I had, in that I felt they were rushed, I came out feeling they were dismissive of my symptoms and the level of impact this had on my life and the proposed 5 day hospital stay for surgery put me off too. I was looking for a day surgery and a quick recovery so I could get back to my responsibilities. I went to see Dr Akmal late August for an initial consultation after googling day surgery options for spinal surgery. I found both Dr Akmal and Dr Lok to be very knowledgeable, they both understood my problem right away and were attentive and took the time to listen to my symptoms. I was satisfied this was the right course of action for me. I decided to go ahead with the surgery and had the pre op blood tests, ECG and doctor consultation a few days ahead of the surgery. Once I got the all clear and declared fit for the operation I was given a date for surgery. On the day of the surgery I was rather anxious but Dr Akmal and his team made sure I was very comfortable and calm. They all came to speak with me and explain what was going to happen etc. Dr Bedran the anesthetist was very kind and explained what was going to be used factoring my allergies etc very well and it was all very reassuring and thorough. The procedure went well and I was able to walk straight for the first time in months. I was given the all clear by Dr Akmal and very happy to go home in the evening. I was given a full briefing on meds to take during my recovery process at home and hard copies of detailed instructions which I was so grateful for as it’s a lot to take in! I was provided with a medication pack, some extra wound dressings, decompression stockings etc. Once at home the doctor with whom I had the pre op consultation would call me every morning for the first 3 days to check in with me. This was a great opportunity to ask any questions, things I had forgotten etc.
3 weeks in I can say it’s been the best decision for my specific case to undergo the surgery. I could walk straight as soon as I had the surgery, there is the obvious pain when you go home as the drugs from the surgery wear off and roughly Day 2-5 you will feel as if you have been hit by a truck. I was very lethargic had short bursts of energy followed by tiredness and pain/ soreness in back and legs. The nerve pain flared up for me around Day 5 around my foot, hamstring and calf but thankfully gradually passed day by day and now I get minor little rumblings as the nerves are settling back down after being trapped for so long mostly under hamstring and back of the kneecap, this is tolerable and I am gradually improving to being hopefully pain free in the coming months! I am most happy to be walking straight again even if I can’t manage long walks just yet! Thank you again to Dr Akmal and all of your team, to the lovely ward nurses, to Dr Bedran, Dr Lok, also the wonderful ladies at reception who escorted my husband and I, carried my bags to the car and made sure I was sat comfortably before she let us go. Thank you so much for such a positive experience after suffering bad experiences at other clinics, I am truly grateful God led me to your clinic.

I went to see Dr Mo Akmal at the Harley Street London Spine Unit Clinic after beeing for over 1 year under the care of the NHS. He was very professional and understanding of my situation and after seeing the MRIs he confirmed my health probelm being severe degenerative disc diseas at L5-S1 level. He offered me a few options, one of them being the Spinal Fusion surgery.
I want to stress that he never put any pressure on me to choose for the best solution so I had to decide myself amongst the different options he gave me. I decided to go for the surgery since my situation was very bad. I had been in constant pain for over a year, not able to go back to work (plumber), unable to walk without pain for more than 10 minutes or stand. I am 32 years old.
Once I decided to go for surgery, the clinic arranged my appointment within a week. I did all the pre-op tests in the clinic and finally went for my surgey on May 16, 2024.
The surgery went really well, I was home on the same day and was able to walk without pain almost immediately. The clinic provided all the medication for the 2 weeks following the surgery and someone called every day for the first 3 days to check on me. After 3 weeks I can say I was able to go for 1 hour long walks and be back to normal life. I have been back to work as an industrial plumber after 3 months, not having any pain on the area treated. I went to see Dr Akmal twice since the surgery, once after 2 weeks and once after 3 months. I had an X-Ray onsite after 3 months and you can see the bone was already growing around the fusion. I cannot thank Dr Akmal enough for giving me a hope and a solution to my problem after being in pain for over a year. I am writing this review after almost 5 months of the surgery and I can say that it was the best decision I took to trust him with my health.

After enduring severe back pain for the past 23 years, I finally decided to take a major step towards reclaiming my life. The pain had become unbearable, and I knew it was time to act before it was too late. With extensive research and much contemplation, I chose to undergo an L4/5, L5/S1 Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion at Harley Street Hospital under the expert care of Mr. Mo Akmal and his outstanding team. I can confidently say that it was the best decision I have ever made.

From the very first consultation, Mr. Akmal provided me with comprehensive information, addressing all my concerns and ensuring I was well-prepared for the procedure. Although the thought of major surgery was daunting, the professionalism, empathy, and expertise of the entire medical staff made me feel reassured and confident in my choice.

The surgery itself was nothing short of miraculous. I entered the operating room with a severe tilt and immense pain, but just two hours later, I was standing straight for the first time in years. The results were immediate and astonishing. Despite knowing what to expect, the experience of waking up and able to stand tall again was beyond anything I could have imagined.

I am incredibly grateful to Mr. Akmal and his dedicated team at Harley Street Hospital for their brilliant care and support throughout this journey. They have given me the gift of a new life, something I never thought was possible after so many years of suffering. I highly recommend Mr. Akmal to anyone dealing with severe back pain or injuries. His skill and dedication are truly life-changing.

If you're in a similar situation and considering this surgery, take the leap—you won’t regret it. Mr. Akmal works wonders, and I am living proof of the incredible results that can be achieved.

Mr Mo Akmal changed my life. For the first time since 2009, I have been without pain. I had a cervical spine injury and had my first round of MBB and epidural. It took me maybe a day or two to recover and then suddenly, no pain. I now realise how much people take walking around or doing basic tasks for granted. What a blessing it is to have crossed paths with Mo. Such a talented guy. Excellent bedside manner, too.

I rarely write online reviews but am making a well-deserved exception for Mr Mo Akmal and his impressive private Team at The London Spine Unit, Harley Street Hospital. I had spinal decompression surgery via the NHS some months ago that resulted in a potentially life-threatening and excruciatingly painful L4/L5 disc infection that the NHS failed to quickly diagnose. After struggling to get anyone on the NHS to diagnose and treat me when I was in a state of unbelievable extreme pain and suffering, I turned to Mr Akmal’s private clinic out of desperation for help. Mr Akmal quickly diagnosed the disc infection that was missed by the NHS and put me on a course of antibiotics while carefully monitoring and following me. It is now some months later and I am on the road to healing with pain greatly reduced. The London Spine Unit is a completely private, self-contained private hospital fully equipped with the latest MRI and EOS scanners. They also are one of the few spinal clinics globally who routinely use very advanced pioneering techniques like minimally invasive day surgery, antibiotic powder to reduce their infection rates to near zero, special co-flex spacers to keep the discs apart so they can heal properly and reduce stress, etc. I kick myself for not having my spinal decompression surgery done with Mr Akmal’s London Spine Unit in the beginning as this would have prevented so much pain and suffering that the NHS unnecessarily put me through. In hindsight it would have been an excellent investment to have gone private to avoid the extreme pain and suffering the NHS left me in. Mr Akmal has had a spinal decompression surgery himself, so he has extreme empathy with spinal patients who are suffering. Unlike most arrogant neurosurgeons who refuse to listen to their patients, Mr Akmal is very kind, calm and takes all the time needed to carefully listen to his patients. He personally phoned me up several times to check how I was doing at no charge. I did check prices at several private clinics and believe Mr Akmal’s London Spine Unit is not only competitively priced, but they offer the absolute best world-class cutting-edge spinal care that you can find anywhere in the world. I also paid to get several other opinions from various other neurosurgeons and in hindsight Mr Akmal was the ONLY neurosurgeon who was consistently 100% correct in all the advice he gave to me. The amount of bad or incorrect advice being given out by other neurosurgeons is shocking so everyone should get at least one second opinion on all spinal issues. Mr Akmal talked me out of having some additional expensive treatments when I was begging for them to get me out of pain and in hindsight, he was right! I can’t say enough good things about Mr Akmal and his elite team to properly do them justice but they have been truly excellent, more than fair in their very reasonable charges, and left the NHS in the dust in regards to quality of care. If anyone has spine problems of any kind, then your first port of call should be Mr Mo Akmal and his London Spine Unit at the Harley Street Hospital. You will be extremely well taken care of, and he will use advanced techniques that you won’t find on the NHS or with most other spinal surgeons (including private ones) who are clearly inferior to Mr Akmal in many respects in my opinion. If you are looking for an honest, compassionate, fair, down-to-earth, highly-experienced spinal neurosurgeon who genuinely cares about you – and who is up on the very latest global advances in spinal care then Mr Mo Akmal is the neurosurgeon for you. 5 Stars and Excellent rating without question for Mr Mo Akmal and his Team at the London Spine Unit, Harley Street Hospital. This is a 100% genuine review I wrote myself with no coaching from anyone. I don’t know what I would have done without Mr Akmal’s most kind and compassionate expert help getting me out of the mess the NHS left me in. Very grateful to Mr Akmal and his most excellent highly skilled team – one of the few private spinal clinics that can be trusted to put the patient’s care first above everything else including money. Clearly one of the best spinal clinics in the world. Honest, fair, trustworthy, compassionate, deeply experienced, knows their stuff, puts the patient’s wellbeing first. I might not be here today if it were not for Mr Akmal. Thank you sincerely!

I recently underwent an L5/S1 lumbar fusion surgery with Mr. Akmal, and I couldn't be more satisfied with the outcome. I've suffered from spondylolisthesis since my teenage years, which led to chronic back pain and sciatica down my legs. This condition limited my ability to do many things in life, and as I entered my 50s, the pain became increasingly unbearable. It was then that I decided to explore surgical options privately, and after extensive research, I found Mr. Akmal.

From the very first consultation, I felt confident in Mr. Akmal's expertise. He was thorough in explaining the procedure and what I could expect from it. After a few consultations, I decided to go ahead with the surgery, which was scheduled for May 2024.

The surgery itself went exceptionally well and I was up and walking just a few hours after the procedure. Though the first few weeks post-operation had their ups and downs, my recovery has been smooth, and I’m getting stronger every day. The most significant change for me is the complete absence of sciatica pain. For the first time in decades, I can engage in normal activities that I had long given up on—going for long walks, swimming, visiting the gym, standing in queues, and even carrying shopping! I genuinely feel like I've got my life back.

I am incredibly grateful to Mr. Akmal and his entire team, especially Mr. Lok, who provided excellent advice for my aftercare. Their professionalism, skill, and compassion have made a profound difference in my life. I cannot thank them enough and wholeheartedly recommend Mr. Akmal to anyone considering back surgery. This procedure has been life-changing for me, and I am beyond thrilled with the results.