A pioneering spinal surgery using cutting-edge Mixed Reality (MR) technology has transformed the life of a patient from East Kilbride, placing Glasgow’s Institute for Neurological Sciences (INS) at the forefront of global surgical innovation.
Gerry Carrigan, 54, had been living with debilitating back and leg pain for years, due to spinal nerves being compressed by a bulging disc. He was relying on crutches and struggling with everyday life.
After two spinal disc surgeries failed to provide lasting relief, he became one of the first patients in Scotland to undergo a revolutionary procedure using MR technology, allowing surgeons to “see inside” his body without major incisions.
INS is the first centre in the UK, and only the third in the world, to use MR technology in spinal surgery. The system, known as Magic Leap, overlays detailed spinal images directly onto the patient’s body via MR goggles, enabling surgeons to operate with unprecedented precision through small incisions.
Using Magic Leap, Gerry underwent a minimally invasive spine procedure. Surgeons placed screws into the bones above and below the damaged disc and connected them with rods to stabilise the area.
They then removed the worn disc and inserted a cage implant to hold the space open, fuse the disc, and prevent future disc bulges. The entire procedure was done through just five small stab incisions in his back, and Gerry was able to go home within 24 hours.
Gerry’s leg pain dropped from as high as nine out of ten to as low as two. “It was amazing that the pain subsided instantly,” he said.
“Before the pain started years ago, I was active playing football every week with friends. In all honesty, it was likely the goalkeeping into my late 40s that took its toll on my back. I should have given that up sooner, but I did enjoy playing sport. The pain completely debilitated what I could do.
“Then, following this surgery, I was up and walking in the ward the same night, albeit, still on crutches. The impact this will make on my life is incredible.”
The procedure was performed at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital by a team led by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Consultants Neurosurgeons and Complex Spine Surgeons, Mr Mohamed Abdelsadg and Mr Calan Mathieson. The team recently won the Regional Services Award at the NHSGGC Excellence Awards for their pioneering work.
This minimally invasive approach significantly reduces tissue damage, shortens recovery times, and improves surgical outcomes. The technology, developed in collaboration with Brainlab, is part of a trial using Spine Mixed Reality Navigation, which fuses real-time X-rays with external imaging to guide the surgeon in 3D.
Mr Abdelsadg said:
“This technology is transforming how we approach complex spinal surgeries. It allows us to be more accurate, less invasive, and ultimately deliver better outcomes for our patients.”
The INS team was praised for their “remarkable dedication to advancing patient care by embracing cutting-edge technologies.”
For Gerry, the results speak for themselves. He said:
“We’ve got a busy household with three autistic boys, so there’s really not time for either my wife, Gemma, or myself to be out of action.
“Even though I’ll likely always have restrictive back pain which still means I’ll need the crutches to keep up my mobility outdoors, I’m incredibly grateful to the INS team for giving me a huge part of life back by taking almost all of my leg pain away.”