All spine surgeries are terrifying?
Not anymore at Himchan-UHS Joint and Spine Center
Generally, spinal conditions improve with enough rest, exercise, and medications. However, surgeries should be in consideration when the symptoms including pain, numbness, and decreased muscular strength worsen even with treatments. These symptoms often indicate serious spinal conditions.
However, many patients tend to be reluctant to take spinal surgeries. Even before seeing a doctor, patients decide not to have a surgery. Some patients say that they might suffer more after surgeries because once they have it done, they might have to do it repeatedly. Unproved rumors often sound detailed and convincing and people miss the most appropriate timing for the surgery. Postponing or refusing to take surgeries from believing unverified assumptions may lead to irreversible spinal conditions.
Dr. Seungkook Kim, a Consultant Spine Surgeon at Himchan-UHS Joint & Spine Centre, explained, “Things are different now. Endoscopic surgery, the most preferred type of minimally invasive spine surgery, uses small incisions and causes fewer injuries in nearby muscles and tissues. It was only applicable for simple discectomy in the past. However, with the rapid advancement of surgical methods and instruments, it is now available for most spine surgeries.”
“Endoscopic Fusion Surgery is a good example,” he said. Spinal fusion surgery permanently connects two or more vertebrae to reduce pain, correct deformity, or improve stability. When this surgery was first introduced, surgeons opened the back to insert screws and prosthetic implants and saw the surgical process with their bare eyes. Therefore, patients had to bear the pain from a large wound after the surgery. There was even a side effect of the back muscle weakening that caused the back to be crooked.
However, the fusion surgery that used to trigger negative anticipations and concerns can now be endoscopic. Dr. Kim further elaborated that “Instead of opening the back, incisions less than 1cm will allow the spine to be fused. There will be much less damage as the incision is small and the small scars will be much easier to look after. Furthermore, prosthetics can still be inserted to support and hold the spine. This state-of-the-art surgery dramatically improves spinal conditions such as stenosis.”
Endoscopic surgery is proven to be effective and the number of cases is rapidly increasing in Korea. However, it is rarely performed in the UAE due to the lack of skills and experience of the surgeons. Surgeons at Himchan-UHS Joint & Spine Center have abundant endoscopic surgical experience from Korea and they are very familiar with this surgical modality. They are gaining high satisfaction and trust from the local and international patients from their excellent skills.
Outstanding Korean medical service is changing the medical trend in the UAE. Patients do not need to worry or fear by hearing incorrect information and misunderstandings. Dr. Kim emphasized that “It is very important to maintain the spine healthy but the most important thing is seeing a doctor when you have symptoms to find the most effective treatment method before it becomes too late.”
