Scoliosis treatment in Turkey

Turkish doctors diagnose scoliosis in the case of lateral curvature of the spine relative to its vertical axis, which is often detected during the examination and confirmed by X-ray / CT scan. Sometimes the diagnosis of pathological deviation of the spinal column includes MRI.

The severity of scoliosis (from I to IV) is determined by the angle of maximum deviation of the spinal column from the correct position (can vary from 1 to 900).

Several types of scoliosis are diagnosed in Turkish clinics:

• congenital (sometimes visible already at birth or in early childhood, and sometimes detected only in adolescence);
• neuromuscular (caused by a number of neurological diseases, such as cleft spine, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury);
• degenerative (scoliosis of the elderly due to age-related changes in the spine).
• idiopathic (without a definite cause, most often caused genetically with a family history of scoliosis).

It is idiopathic scoliosis that is diagnosed in 80% of patients who visit Turkish doctors.

Scoliosis most often occurs during periods of rapid growth in children’s (adolescents’) bodies, usually between the ages of 10 and 15. Children/adolescents have the following complaints:

• back pain;
• stiffness in the spine;
• rapid fatigue;
• headaches.

Parents of such children may notice the following symptoms in them:

• curvature of the spinal column;
• the child has one shoulder higher than the other,
• the rib cage is not symmetrical (ribs are at different levels);
• one shoulder blade is higher than the other and more prominent;
• one hip protrudes more than the other;
• ill-fitting clothes;
• poor posture;
• legs are not the same length;
• altered gait;
• coordination problems.

In case of such symptoms in a child, his parents should consult an orthopedic doctor who will diagnose and, if necessary, prescribe treatment.

Turkish experts believe that this disease, if left untreated during childhood and adolescence, is progressive. Spinal curvature and symptoms worsen particularly quickly in girls (about 10 times more often), and they may therefore be more likely to need treatment.

Scoliosis diagnosed in adolescence can also worsen with age. The more severe the curvature of the spine, the more likely it is that the angle of scoliosis will increase over time, causing changes in organs neighboring the spine and significantly impairing quality of life. Deviation of the spine in the thoracic region causes displacement of the ribs deformation of the thorax, so organs such as the heart, lungs, stomach suffer. With a pronounced curvature of the lumbar region may be disorders in the pelvic organs.

Therefore, scoliosis should be treated in a timely manner, in childhood. But even neglected cases of scoliosis in adulthood can be treated if it is carried out by highly qualified Turkish specialists.

For minor curvature of the spine, conservative treatment may help. In scoliosis of any degree in a child with a rapidly growing spine, that is, at the age of 8-10 years is usually applied:

• therapeutic gymnastics, massages, physical procedures;
• corset therapy (wearing a corset) – the main method of treatment for scoliosis with an angle of more than 200. Corset can completely correct the spine or significantly delay the progression of the disease, which is important for further treatment (the volume of surgical intervention on the spine is reduced).

Corset is a special, individually selected by a doctor orthopedic product made of modern rigid and elastic materials, which helps to keep the back in the correct position and thus eliminate its curvature and corrects posture. Corset therapy is carried out only under the supervision of a doctor. Many children wear them 16 to 24 hours a day. A child’s corset is not visible under clothing, and it does not interfere with everyday activities. Such long-term conservative treatment quite often allows you to correct the pathological curvature of the spinal column and correct posture without surgery.

In Turkey, doctors recommend a surgical procedure to patients:

• in advanced cases;
• in cases of rapid progression of the disease;
• in the absence of effect from corset therapy.

If corset therapy did not lead to correction of the pathological curvature of the spine, i.e. in the absence of improvement, and especially in the case when the disease progresses (scoliosis angle increases), surgical intervention is necessary.

In particular, surgery is necessary:

• if the angle of scoliosis is more than 400 in the lumbar region;
• scoliosis angle more than 500 in the thoracic spine;
• if there is a rib hump;
• increase in the angle of scoliosis by 50 on the background of corset treatment.

The optimal age for surgical treatment of scoliosis – 13-15 years (after puberty). At this time, the growth and formation of the spine is completed, so treatment is most effective.

If you do not correct severe scoliosis at this age, the disease will continue to progress into adulthood, the angle of scoliosis can reach 80-900, which will lead, in addition to pain, to restricted movement of the chest when breathing and disorders in the heart (pulmonary heart).

Therefore, surgical treatment of scoliosis in Turkey is performed in adults and even elderly people: specialists apply the most modern surgical techniques, and patients at any age quickly recover and return to normal life.

Surgical treatment of scoliosis consists of aligning the curve and fixing the spinal column in a normal position with the help of special devices (rods, screws, strings, implants).

One of Turkey’s leading scoliosis specialists, Prof. Murat Bezer, who has been operating on patients with scoliosis for over 25 years, told Experts Medical about scoliosis surgery: “If spinal surgery is necessary in a young child, a special system (rod and sliding screw design, such as the growing rod system, the Shilla system, and other systems) is used to control the position of the spine and not prevent it from growing. The earlier the spinal correction is performed, the smaller the spinal correction rod needs to be placed.

The system is inserted through one small incision in the back, meaning it is minimally invasive. As the child grows, it is sometimes necessary to repeat the intervention to replace the “growing” rods with other rods that match the spine.

In idiopathic scoliosis in adolescents (after puberty), two types of surgical treatment are used:

• infusion surgeries – fusion of vertebral bodies (spondylodesis) of the curved part of the spine using a bone or artificial graft (titanium cage). Spondylodesis allows you to reliably straighten the arched segment of the spinal column, but this area will be immobile in the future. Therefore, good specialists try to perform spondylodesis of a minimum number of vertebrae;
• non-infusion surgeries – correction of the spine using cables or strings that are stretched over several screws attached to the vertebrae and straighten the arc of the spine, making it straight. This intervention keeps this area mobile, but sometimes the strings are damaged and a second procedure is required to replace them. What type of surgical correction will be performed in each case is decided by the surgeon based on many factors.”

Spinal surgeons in Turkey perform all surgeries using the latest medical equipment and high quality materials.

Scoliosis surgery in Turkey is sometimes preceded by preparatory rehabilitation. It may be prescribed by a doctor in case of severe forms of spinal curvature and severe symptoms in order to increase the effectiveness of surgical intervention and prepare the body of a scoliosis patient for spinal correction.

After the surgical procedure, the patient spends one day lying in bed in the ward and is given and usually medication to reduce pain. Two days after surgery, a dressing is performed and he is discharged from the clinic, and after 5-6 days he can return (fly) home. And 15 days after surgery, the patient can return to normal life and go to school.

Spinal surgeons in Turkey recommend their patients to follow a certain regimen after spinal surgery:

• avoid bending over a lot for 3 x months (sparing the operated spine);
• perform health-improving exercises aimed at restoring the functions of the spine, strengthening the body (these include swimming and walking, and in time – cycling).

In the future, it is possible to engage in running and other types of physical activity, except for those types of wrestling that involve sharp blows and tight body contact.

The patient should also be observed by the attending physician: x-rays should be taken once every 3 months for the next 2-3 years.

Many patients prefer surgical treatment of scoliosis in Turkish clinics, considering the following factors:

• techniques for surgical treatment of severe scoliosis are well developed and are constantly being improved;
• in Turkey such surgeries are put on stream and are performed every day;
• there are many European-level spinal surgeons working in Turkey, Turkish Orthopedics and Traumatology Association Turkish Orthopedics and Traumatology Society (TOTBİD) is the largest specialized community in the world;
• Turkish clinics use quality materials and innovative equipment, which helps to avoid complications after surgery and guarantees long-term results;
• Turkish doctors use minimally invasive techniques, which ensures rapid healing of the surgical wound and minimizes pain syndrome;
• the period of rehabilitation and recovery after spine surgery in Turkish clinics is very short;
• optimal cost/result ratio of scoliosis treatment among countries with advanced orthopedics.

To the disadvantages of treatment in Turkey, some patients include the need to fly after surgery. It is important to realize that the patient’s spine is securely fixed after surgery, so there is no discomfort or pain when sitting in a sitting position during the flight.

The cost of treatment is influenced by several factors: the degree of scoliosis, and accordingly, the type and price of treatment, the class of the clinic and the fame of the doctor. In any case, the cost of surgical treatment of scoliosis in Israel is significantly higher than the cost of the same operation performed by a specialist with the same experience and success rate in Turkey. Thus, in Turkey, the cost of surgical treatment of scoliosis ranges from $ 17,000 to $ 30,000 (in Israel, the price of surgery varies from $ 45,000 to $ 60,000).

Experts Medical has been successfully organizing scoliosis treatment in Turkey for a long time and works only with experienced Turkish doctors who regularly upgrade their qualifications in European clinics. Among them are experts of international level with a high rate of successful scoliosis surgeries, good reputation among colleagues and excellent feedback from patients.

Experts Medical works with Prof. Murat Bezer, who operates both in his clinic and in many other hospitals, where he is invited as a unique specialist to operate on patients with complex cases of scoliosis.

In his interview, Prof. Bezer emphasized that “we are trying to help all children with scoliosis who come to us, even if their families do not have sufficient funds for the operation. We are able to set aside some funds for the treatment of these children to help their parents pay for the cost of surgery.”

Experts Medical provides full support, communication with the physician and medical center before, during and after spine surgery at no cost to the patient. We offer a medical interpreter to all patients so that they do not feel the discomfort of the language barrier. We can help you choose the right clinic and doctor to ensure the best possible outcome for your scoliosis treatment at an affordable cost.