Cervical Spine Surgery

Cervical spine surgery is focused on addressing issues within the neck area, including the seven vertebrae of the cervical spine. Common surgeries include cervical decompression surgery, which removes or reduces anything that’s pressing on a nerve, and cervical fusion surgery, which links together damaged vertebrae so they can heal into a single, solid bone.

Lumbar Spine Surgery

Lumbar spine surgery focuses on the lower back, where the five lumbar vertebrae are located. There are various types of lumbar spine surgery, such as lumbar laminectomy, lumbar discectomy, and lumbar fusion. These surgeries can treat a range of conditions, including lumbar spinal stenosis, herniated discs, and spondylolisthesis.

Thoracic Spine Surgery

Thoracic spine surgery targets the middle portion of the spine and can treat a variety of conditions, including herniated discs, fractures, and spinal deformities like scoliosis and kyphosis. Due to the proximity to the heart and lungs, thoracic spine surgery can be more complex and is typically reserved for cases when conservative treatments have not been effective or when the patient’s condition is severe or worsening.

TLIF Spine Surgery

Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF) is a type of spine surgery that aims to stabilize the spinal vertebrae and disc between to alleviate lower back pain. The procedure involves the surgeon accessing the vertebrae through a posterior (back) approach, removing the intervertebral disc, and fusing the vertebrae together with bone grafts and screws. This can reduce nerve compression, increase stability, and correct spinal alignment.

Endoscopic Spine Surgery

Endoscopic spine surgery is a type of minimally invasive spine surgery that uses specialized video cameras and instruments passed through small incisions (less than 2 cm) to visualize and treat conditions affecting the discs and nerves of the spine. It’s often used to treat herniated discs, spinal stenosis, sciatica, and other spinal disorders. The benefits of this approach include less surgical trauma, shorter hospital stays, and quicker recovery times.

Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) is a technique that utilizes advanced technology and innovative methods to treat spinal conditions with less harm to the surrounding tissues compared to traditional open surgery.

This type of surgery uses small incisions, special instruments, and guidance techniques such as computer-assisted navigation and intraoperative imaging to accurately address the spinal problem. The goal is to reduce the trauma to the surrounding tissues, resulting in less blood loss, lower risk of infection, shorter hospital stays, quicker recovery times, and reduced postoperative pain.

Laser Spine Surgery

Laser spine surgery is a term often used to describe a minimally invasive surgical procedure that uses laser technology to remove damaged tissue. It’s often performed on an outpatient basis, requiring smaller incisions and potentially offering quicker recovery times. However, it’s worth noting that the laser itself doesn’t typically provide a unique benefit; the crucial aspect of these procedures is their minimally invasive nature.

Spine Surgery Recovery Time

Recovery time following spine surgery depends on several factors, including the specific type of surgery performed, the patient’s overall health, and the individual’s healing ability. Generally, recovery from a minimally invasive procedure may take a few weeks, while recovery from a more complex operation like a spinal fusion may take several months.

Spine Surgery Success Rate

The success rate of spine surgery depends on the specific type of surgery and the condition being treated. For instance, spinal fusion for lower back pain offers a success rate of 70-90% in eliminating or significantly reducing pain. Discectomy also has a high success rate, with 80-90% of patients reporting significant improvement.

Spine Surgery Cost

The cost of spine surgery varies greatly depending on the specific procedure, the country where the surgery is performed, the hospital, and the surgeon’s expertise. In the United States, for instance, a lumbar spinal fusion surgery could cost between US$40,000 and US$80,000.

Spine Surgery Before and After

Before spine surgery, patients are typically evaluated to determine the exact cause of their symptoms, often using imaging studies such as X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans. Various non-surgical treatments are usually tried before considering surgery.

After surgery, patients usually participate in a rehabilitation program that includes physical therapy and exercises to strengthen the back and improve flexibility. Many patients experience significant pain relief and improvement in their quality of life after recovery.

Spine Surgery in the UAE

The UAE has excellent medical facilities that offer a range of spine surgery procedures. These institutions are staffed by highly trained professionals and equipped with advanced technology, including minimally invasive surgical tools.