About

I qualified from University College London Medical School in 1998 and undertook my basic surgical training at University College Hospital, St. Mary’s and The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore. I then joined the East Anglian Higher Surgical Training Programme in Trauma and Orthopaedics. During this training I specialised in spinal surgery and, after gaining my Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons, travelled to Australia for the prestigious year long AO Spinal fellowship in Brisbane.

I was appointed as a consultant in spinal surgery at The Ipswich Hospital in 2010. My practice involves all aspects of spinal surgery including trauma, deformity, infection, malignancy and degenerative conditions such as back pain and sciatica. My particular sub-speciality interests is cervical surgery and I have extensive experience in cervical disc replacement.

I consult privately at Gilmour Piper as part of the multi-disciplinary team. I regularly undertake spinal medico-legal and clinical negligence work and provide operating services privately at both The Suffolk Nuffield Hospital and The Ipswich Hospital.

I am actively involved with the education of trainee surgeons and other colleagues, lecturing widely and internationally on many aspects of spinal surgery. I also lecture to patient groups.

Outside of work I am a keen musician and am happily married with two young daughters.

Treatments

I offer a complete service in dealing with all aspects of spinal diagnosis and treatment including MRI scans, non-operative treatment and surgery.

Specialist Treatments

1) Cervical Disc Replacement
Instead of fusing segments of the neck, a replacement disc is inserted to help preserve movement.

2) Surgery under regional anaesthesia
By using the same anaesthetic techniques as used in, for example caesarian section, post operative pain can be dramatically reduced and a much more rapid recovery enabled.

3) Multidisciplinary team
I work closely with physiotherapists and osteopaths so specific targeted treatment can be planned, often avoiding the need for more invasive treatments. Complex cases are discussed at a weekly meeting.

Conditions treated include:

  • Back pain
  • Neck pain
  • Sciatica
  • Brachialgia
  • Myelopathy
  • Arm pain
  • Spinal stenosis
  • Fractures
  • Deformity
  • Facet dysfunction
  • Spondylolisthesis
  • Degenerate disc disease
  • Slipped disc

You are in Safe Hands

You should feel comfortable that your health is our number 1 priority.

Mr Robert Lovell is considered an expert in many fields of Spinal surgery. He is trusted with training the next generation of surgeons. Whilst it is inappropriate to discuss medical issues of other patients, you can read below some recent patient feedback on their treatments:

  • "Thank you so much for curing my terrible sciatica. I've been gardening and dancing ever since"

    - MM

  • "Our sincere thanks for the care and your amazing skill"

    - DJ

  • "I genuinely cannot thank you enough for all the care and support you gave me after my accident. You made it so clear and manageable, I couldn't have asked for more."

    - JB

  • "I want to thank you for operating on me and giving me my life back."

    - VD

  • "You've given me my life back. I can't thank you enough."

    - GP

  • "From the moment I came into hospital I have been pain free. I walk, swim, garden and scuba dive. All activities that had become difficult or impossible."

    - CD

  • "Just over a year ago you treated me with a discectomy and I thought you might like to know that I have had a wonderful 12 months. Being pain free is the best gift I have ever had."

    - MS

  • "I was also hugely grateful for the gentle and compassionate way you spoke to Dad. Your approach was perfect. Thank you. I will always remember what you did and always be grateful to you."

    - HA

Pricing

Suffolk Spine is covered by all major insurance companies.

We are happy to see self funding patients and fixed price packages are available for procedures.

Please ring the booking line 01473 217592 for more information about costs.