Mr Rafid Al-Mahfoudh

Written by a NHS patient at Nuffield Hospital Brighton

Normally I’m a very fit person but suffered occasional bouts of sciatica in my left leg. I booked an appointment with a physiotherapist for help. However, on the morning of my appointment I awoke in so much pain and weakness in my leg that I was unable to walk or stand for more than a minute or so. I decided to attend the appointment that day with the physiotherapist and he ordered urgent X-rays and MRI scans of my hip and lumbar vertebrae. Based on the results of these, I was referred to Mr Al-Mahfoudh who diagnosed a lateral disc bulge and ligamentum hypertrophy causing left exit foraminal stenosis (bulging disc pressing on my sciatic nerve). Mr Al-Mahfoudh offered me several management options and I agreed to a L5 nerve block (corticosteroid injection). Unfortunately this didn’t improve the problem and I had spinal surgery 7 weeks ago (L5/S1 TLIF - Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion). The operation was successful and I am now walking again, pain free and gradually coming off strong painkillers. (Until my operation I had attended all my appointments in a wheelchair.) I have felt complete confidence under the care of Mr Al-Mahfoudh from my initial visit to now in my recovery. He is professional in his approach and kept me fully informed of what was involved in both procedures and going forward. Mr Al-Mahfoudh is an exceptional neurosurgeon who has given me my life back and I am happy to highly recommend Mr Al-Mahfoudh.

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Written by a NHS patient at Nuffield Hospital Brighton

Very reassuring and confident so helped my anxiety about the procedure from the start :) Surgery went perfectly and my leg pain / sciatica has completely gone so I’m very pleased.

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Written by a NHS patient at Nuffield Hospital Brighton

Having spent many years suffering from lower back pain and not getting anywhere with various hospital visits, I found Mr Al-Mahfoudh purely by accident. All I can say is what a lucky lady I was to come across him. He diagnosed my condition almost immediately and offered me the option of an operation.He went through all my options clearly and thoroughly to give me the peace of mind I needed to go through with it. After a few months I was back on my feet without any of my previous nerve pain in my lower back. I was overwhelmed with how successful the operation was in repairing my back. All the anxiety and post-operative recovery pain was totally worth going through. I will always be indebted and eternally grateful to Mr Al-Mahfoudh for his brilliance, in giving me my life back. Thank you so much.

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Written by a private patient at Nuffield Hospital Brighton

What can I say Mr Mahfoudh, you are a remarkable man, as you have given me my life back after the wonderful surgery performed by your goodself. You were recommended to me by my doctor in Eastbourne and because I didn’t know of you she suggested I Google you. After reading about your experience in neurosurgery I had no hesitation but to ask for you to perform the back surgery that I had to have as an emergency. I found you very approachable, very kind and very compassionate with a wonderful sense of humour. You also took your time and explained in detail everything about the procedure. I cannot praise you enough. You answered every question put to you and I had no fears or hesitation in wanting you to go ahead with my surgery. From the moment I met with you to my discharge was brilliant. I suffer from anxiety but not once did I feel anxious about going ahead with surgery. Thank you so much for everything and to Sarah your nurse. Yours Cherry Hicks

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Written by a private patient at Nuffield Hospital Brighton

He gave me all the pros and cons and described exactly what was required to alleviate my symptoms. He carried out the operation as planned, with the result that the symptoms I had suffered were gone the day following treatment and I was able to walk out of the hospital with only mild discomfort. Although full recovery will be a little while, I have had no recurrence of the disabling symptoms I experienced prior to the operation

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