The spine is made up of circular cushions of tissue, these are situated between each of the spinal vertebrae/bones in the back, these cushions are also known as intervertebral disk (Bandscheibenvorfall).  These discs are in place to ensure that any shock which is received to the spine is cushioned, for example if some one is running then these discs take the impact.  Unfortunately from time to time these discs can become dislodged, this is known as an intervertebral disc prolapse, the result of one of these discs prolapsing is usually as significant amount of back ache (Rückenschmerzen).  Sometimes these discs can rectify and repair themselves, but there are cases where the disc prolapse is so bad that the only option is to perform surgery on the back.

In Britain there are two choices when it comes to healthcare.  The NHS will provide free healthcare to all that have paid into the tax system, meaning that the treatment in hospital is free.  Although this treatment is free there is often a waiting list for such surgery.  Some people opt to pay private which can cost thousands of pounds.  The procedure is exactly the same on the NHS as it is in the private sector, often the doctors are the same doctors as would have treated you in the NHS, as they have got to put in a certain amount of hours in the NHS the chance is you will get to see one of the same consultant surgeon private.

The only difference is the waiting times, by paying private it is possible to have an orthopaedic procedure within a matter of weeks, rather than a matter of months.  The nursing care in the private sector is possibly more attentive, as there are often more nurses per patient privately.

The procedure to getting an operation done privately is usually that the patient visits an consultant orthopaedic surgeon, one whom specialises in the area of pain ie. the back.  The consultant will then examine the patient and usually send them for an MRI scan to determine the exact source of pain.  If the disc prolapse is only treatable with surgery then another appointment for routine bloods and to check out general health, a date is usually set for surgery about a week after pre-op health checks.