James Kellerman MBBS BSc FRCS

James Kellerman qualified in 1976 from The London (now the Royal London) Hospital in Whitechapel, London. He did an honours degree in pharmacology and psycho-pharmacology as a part of the preclinical course. Neurosurgical training continued at Guys, King’s College and the Brook Hospitals until he was accredited as Specialist Neurosurgeon. His first consultant appointment was at the North East Thames Neurosurgical Unit at Oldchurch Hospital. This unit was one of the busiest units in London and had a major training role for young surgeons. Mr Kellerman has conducted outpatient clinics in many parts of Essex including Southend, Chelmsford, Brentwood and Harlow.

He resigned this post in 2002 to develop his interests in conservative spinal surgery and the management of patients with chronic pain in cooperation with Dr Victor Mendis.

James Kellerman believes that most spinal complaints can be treated by non surgical means and those who would clearly benefit are offered evidence based micro surgical and minimally invasive techniques. He has a long track record of discouraging unnecessary and ineffective treatments and has delivered many lectures on this subject.

One of his axioms is that ‘Diagnosis should precede treatment’ and appropriate investigations are always completed before and treatment is contemplated.

Conditions Investigated and Treated

• Back and neck pain

• Arm and leg pain

• Nerve pain and numbness

• Leg and arm weakness

• Lumbar canal narrowing

• Slipped, prolapsed and ruptured discs

• Carpal tunnel syndrome

• Trigeminal neuralgia

Dr Victor Mendis

Name: Dr Victor Mendis

Specialities: Pain Management

Special Clinical Interests: Low back pain and neck pain. Chronic pain conditions including nerve pain

Current NHS post: Consultant Mid Essex NHS, Chelmsford

Dr Victor Mendis has been a consultant in Pain Medicine and Anaesthetics at Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust since March 2005.

In his practice at the Pain and Spine Clinic for Herts and Essex, Dr Mendis offers investigation and treatment of chronic low back pain and neck pain. A detailed consultation and clinical examination is performed and where necessary investigations such as Xrays, MRI’s and CT scans are performed to make a definitive diagnosis. He performs various interventional procedures, for example facet joint injections, cervical, thoracic and lumbar epidurals, dorsal root ganglion blocks, nerve blocks, neuromodulation techniques and radio-frequency ablations.

Dr Mendis trained in London, Sri Lanka and the Ukraine. He graduated from the Vinnitsa Medical Academy in Ukraine in 1990 and then spent time working in The University Hospital in Colombo and obtained an MD in Anaesthesia in 1998. He came to the UK in 1999 and completed his specialist training at Barts and The London Hospitals, obtaining the Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training (CCST) in 2005. He has also completed a Fellowship in Pain Medicine.

Victor Mendis is a Fellow of the Royal College of Anaesthetists (FRCA) and a Fellow of the College of Anaesthetists, Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland (FCARCSI). He also has an MD (Anaes) from the University of Colombo. He became a Fellow of the Faculty of Pain Medicine, Royal College of Anaesthetists (FFPMRCA) in 2008.

Dr Mendis is a member of the British Pain Society, International Neuromodulation Society, London Pain Forum, Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland, and a founder member of the Faculty of Specialists for NAPP Pharmaceuticals. He sits on various International Advisory Boards for Pain Medicine and has been a guest speaker at many international scientific meetings. In addition, Dr Mendis has given press interviews as part of local and international awareness campaigns on chronic low back pain.

PERSONAL PROFILE

I live in Chelmsford and am married with two children aged 12 and 7. I speak fluent Russian and enjoy swimming.