WHEN Emma Rygielska’s back pain was at its worst she’d be groaning on the floor in agony for hours.

“I was virtually housebound and had to use crutches. I’d had a steroid injection but the effects were very short term and I seemed back at square one.”

Luckily Emma’s parents read about the pioneering surgery carried out by Martin Knight, a consultant orthopaedic and spinal surgeon.

After examining Emma he said she was a suitable patient for surgery. Mr Knight’s approach involved injecting a Gelstix rod implant directly into the damaged disc. The rods are made from a soft hydrogel substance which absorbs water.

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