Spinal Surgery in Germany

In the modern world, people mostly lead a sedentary lifestyle and have a sedentary job, which results in a total lack of movement. Spinal diseases are common among all segments of the population, regardless of age and social status. In the era of high technology, the need to leave home is becoming less common, while back problems are becoming more common.

Spinal Surgery in Germany
In the modern world, people mostly lead a sedentary lifestyle and have a sedentary job, which results in a total lack of movement. Spinal diseases are common among all segments of the population, regardless of age and social status. In the era of high technology, the need to leave home is becoming less common, while back problems are becoming more common.

Indications for surgical interventions
Lack of treatment for spinal diseases can lead to serious problems. Back pain, impaired mobility, and activity can significantly reduce the quality of life. The main indications for spinal surgery in Germany are:

• Spinal cord compression.
• Advanced stages of scoliosis.
• Spinal deformity, especially when it violates the function of internal organs.
• Neoplasms of the spinal cord, as well as of adjacent tissues, nerves, blood vessels.
• Accident injuries.
• Instability of certain parts of the spine.
• Spinal hernia sequestration.
• Back pain syndrome that cannot be eliminated by other methods.
• Ponytail syndrome.
• Ineffectiveness of conservative methods.

The main types of surgery
Unfortunately, not all spinal pathologies can be treated using standard methods of medicine. In most cases, surgery becomes the only method to get rid of pain and return to the usual rhythm of life.
The types of surgery depend on the degree and type of lesion, as well as on the general condition of the patient and the presence of concomitant diseases:

• Discectomy is an operation on the intervertebral disc, which is performed to remove a part of the disc that extends beyond the intervertebral joint.
• Laminectomy is an operation on the vertebra and the vertebral arch, the purpose of which is to remove a section of bone tissue directly above the spinal root.
• Vertebral arthrodesis (or spinal fusion) is an operation, which serves to perform a fixed connection of several vertebrae.
• Vertebroplasty is a surgical intervention with the introduction of special substances from the "bone cement" into the damaged bone tissue of the vertebra.
• Surgical treatment of scoliosis. Given the prevalence of this pathology, the method is used quite often. Surgical treatment is carried out at 3-4 stages. The method is based on the correction of scoliosis using a special metal plate that is individually developed for the patient.

Minimally invasive spinal surgery
Today, spinal surgery in Germany uses a number of techniques that can minimize surgical injury of soft tissues, lessen intraoperative blood loss and significantly accelerate the postoperative recovery of the patient.
For patients from other countries, it will be easier to use the help of the Booking Health company. Booking Health is a medical provider that assists in the selection of a medical program, specialized hospitals, as well as solving all organizational issues.
Here are some of the main surgical methods:

• Laser vaporization. This surgical minimally invasive intervention is indicated in the early stages of protrusion and herniated discs before sequestration. 
• Nucleoplasty. The essence of this minimally invasive procedure is to introduce a conductor through the intervertebral disc, through which the active substance or factor for disk plasty will be delivered there.
• Epiduroscopy. This is a diagnostic and treatment procedure, the essence of which is a direct study of the epidural space and obtaining images of the main anatomical structures located in the spinal cord.
• Endoscopic spinal surgery. This method has been increasingly used in Germany in recent years. A feature of the endoscopic method is that all surgical procedures are performed through a small puncture on the skin (7-8 mm). Doctors work in front of a high-resolution monitor with micro-instruments, through the port of the endoscope.

Advantages of endoscopic spinal surgery

• Minimal invasiveness, which means that endoscopic spinal surgery is almost bloodless. It excludes injuries and large incisions on the skin, which is especially important for patients with a tendency to keloid and hypertrophic scars.
• A good cosmetic effect – an incision on the skin does not exceed 7-8 mm.
• Reduced duration of stay in a day hospital or ward (up to 24 hours).
• Endoscopic surgery is performed under general or local anesthesia.
• High controllability, minimal risks.
• It avoids the installation of metal structures and implants (especially during operations to remove cervical disc herniation).
• It eliminates the possibility of muscle lesions, which can cause intramuscular fibrosis.