A/Professor
Richard Parkinson

Randwick Spine Surgeon

A/Professor Richard Parkinson is one of Australia's most experienced neurosurgeons, specialising in minimally-invasive spine surgery. He consults in Randwick.

He has been performing minimally invasive and complex spine surgery for 25+ years and has built his reputation on his conservative approach to spine surgery, and his dedication to patient care and rehabilitation. A/Prof Parkinson completed his neurosurgical training in Sydney where he achieved Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) in 2003 and graduated as a Consultant Neurosurgeon. He then embarked on additional sub-specialised spine surgery fellowship training in the USA, specialising in the absolute latest minimally invasive spine surgery techniques, including keyhole and endoscopic spine surgery.
More About Me

A/Prof Richard Parkinson

MBBS, BMedSci, FRACS

A/Prof Parkinson’s special interests:

  • Diagnosis of sciatica / herniated discs / pinched nerves
  • Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal, osteoarthritis)
  • Spondylosis (aged related disc degeneration, wear-and-tear, arthritis)
  • Bone spurs (growths around spinal joints)
  • Brain and spine injuries in athletes
  • Physical rehabilitation from surgery

My Spinal Column Areas of Expertise

My Spinal Column Areas of Expertise

Cervical Spine (Neck)

Thoracic Spine (Upper-Back)

Lumbar Spine (Lower-Back)

Sacrum & Coccyx (Tailbone)

Operating from Sydney’s Leading Private Neurosurgical Hospitals.

A/Prof Parkinson operates from Sydney’s most advanced neurosurgical and spinal surgery hospitals, including St Vincent’s Private Hospital, Prince of Wales Private Hospital and The Mater Hospital.

These hospitals have specialised neurosurgical facilities, including cutting-edge imaging equipment and neurosurgical navigation systems, but most importantly, they have have well-trained specialised theatre nursing and clinical staff, and physical rehabilitation services.

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A/Prof Richard Parkinson

MBBS, BMedSci, FRACS

Neurosurgeon with 25+ Years of Experience in Spine Surgery.

Pioneer in Minimally Invasive & Endoscopic Spine Surgery.

Endoscopic spinal surgery is an ultra-minimally invasive spine surgery technique that offers potential benefits compared to conventional spine surgical approaches, as it results in less collateral damage to the surrounding tissue of the spinal column. A/Prof Parkinson performs endoscopic spine surgery in Sydney for a range of common spinal conditions.

Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery (MISS) is a surgical approach used to treat various spinal conditions with less disruption to the surrounding tissues compared to traditional open surgery, which involves a large cut to gain access to the spine.

Types of minimally invasive spine surgery include:

  • Keyhole surgery (using a tubular retractor and microscope)
  • Endoscopic spine surgery (using high definition 8K visualisation)

The goal of minimally invasive spine surgery is to achieve the same therapeutic outcomes while minimising trauma, reducing pain, shortening recovery times, and lowering the risk of complications associated with open surgeries.

As opposed to open spine surgery which leaves a large scar and tissue damage, minimally invasive surgical approaches can be faster, safer and require less recovery time. This is due to the reduced trauma to the muscles and soft tissues (compared to open procedures).

The potential benefits of MISS for patients are:

  • Better cosmetic results from smaller skin incisions (sometimes as small as several millimetres);
  • Less blood loss from surgery;
  • Reduced risk of muscle damage, since less or no cutting of the muscle is required;
  • Reduced risk of infection and postoperative pain;
  • Faster recovery from surgery and less rehabilitation required;
  • Diminished reliance on pain medications after surgery.

Although uncommon, there is always a small chance that the initial minimally invasive spine surgery cannot be completed, requiring either a second procedure or full open surgery.

Because the spinal nerves, vertebrae and discs are located deep inside the body, any approach to gain access to the spinal area requires moving the muscle tissue out of the way.

In general, this is facilitated by utilising a small incision(s) and guiding instruments and/or a microscopic, and/or an endoscope (video camera) through these incisions.

  • Degenerative disc disease
  • Herniated disc
  • Lumbar spinal stenosis
  • Spinal deformities such as scoliosis
  • Spinal infections
  • Spinal instability including spondylolisthesis
  • Vertebral compression fractures
  • Spinal tumours

Have a question about your condition or wish to book an appointment?

Please get in touch with our reception team if you have a general enquiry for A/Prof Parkinson, or your would like to book an appointment.

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Consulting Locations

  • Darlinghurst
  • North Sydney

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