Lumbar Spine Surgery in Turkey

About Lumbar Spine Surgery in Turkey

Lumbar spine surgery in Turkey is a procedure commonly performed by experienced surgeons. Admission to the hospital can be a daunting experience for many people; The following information is designed to give you information about your stay at Turkish hospitals and what to expect. This information is intended as a guide and might vary depending on your individual requirements. It also includes physiotherapy exercises for you to do following your surgery and some general advice following lumbar spine surgery.

This information does not contain any specific certainty, but for most patients who have undergone lumbar spine surgery, the advice, experience, and recovery are very similar. If you have any questions before or after your lumbar spine surgery in Turkey, then please contact Healthy Türkiye via the contact details at the end.

There are many different types and approaches to lumbar spine surgery and treatment for various injuries and conditions. Consulting with your orthopedic specialist to discuss the appropriate treatment is crucial in helping you reduce or eliminate your back pain. The expert doctor might recommend pain injections, physical therapy, or spinal surgery.

Turkey Lumbar Spine Surgery

Back pain is a very common issue and most of us will experience it at some point. Lumbar spine surgery in Turkey can be a solution to back pain. With the right approach, basic neck pain can be avoided. The spine is made up of 33 small bones, called vertebrae, stacked on top of each other in an ‘S’ shape. Not all spines are the same ‘S’ shape but they are generally curved at the neck and lowest part of the back.

This shape must be kept in mind when you move to maintain the natural curves in your neck and back whatever you are doing. Each of the vertebrae has a disc between them, which acts as a decoiler. The spinal nerves pass between each vertebra next to the disc and travel to the arms and legs. These nerves provide us to move our muscles and feel things in different parts of our bodies.

Types of Lumbar Spine Surgery in Turkey

The spine gives our body stability and strength every time we move. Plus, the spinal vertebrae also serve as protection for our spinal cord. Therefore, any issues in our spine must be addressed by an experienced orthopedic surgeon. Minimally invasive techniques will be attempted first to address your pain or debilitating back problems, such as pain injections. If these do not solve the issue, then your orthopedist might perform minimally invasive spine surgery.

There are several types of lumbar spine surgery that can help those who are experiencing back pain, involving the following:

Lumbar Decompression Surgery

Lumbar decompression surgery, also called a lumbar laminectomy, is performed to correct the narrowing of the spinal canal – also known as spinal stenosis. The surgeon will extract all or part of the lamina, which is pressing against the spine and causing excruciating pain. In spinal stenosis, pressure is placed on the spinal cord due to the age-related narrowing of the spinal canal. The purpose of surgery is to widen the canal and thereby release this pressure. This might include the surgeon removing bone spurs or excess tissue.

Lumbar Discectomy

A lumbar discectomy is lumbar spine surgery involving an injured disc in the patient’s lower back region. There are two main types of lumbar discectomy: minimally invasive arthroscopic discectomy and open spine surgery. Open spine surgery is the more common procedure for a herniated disc in the lumbar region.

Herniated Disc Surgery

In surgery to repair a herniated disc, the surgeon will extract part or all of the injured disc. The physician might remove the disc altogether and enable the two adjacent vertebrae to fuse together in order to stop the disc pain; however, spinal fusion causes the inability to move that section of your back, so this decision must be made carefully between you and your specialist. That said, spinal fusion surgery is much safer and less risky than it has been in years.

Lumbar Fusion Surgery

This is the most commonly performed surgery for chronic nonspecific back pain with degenerative changes. The specialist will join the spinal bones, called vertebrae, together. This restricts the motion between them and how far your nerves can stretch. But it probably won’t restrict your activity. It’s rare, but the bones do not always fuse completely. Smoking can make this complication more possible. If it happens, you might need another operation to fix it.

When Is Lumbar Spine Surgery Necessary?

When someone connects with Healthy Türkiye with extremity symptoms, we almost always recommend they first get an evaluation with their primary care specialists. If a person is experiencing low back pain or neck pain, at Healthy Türkiye, we will generally watch them over time and encourage them to maintain good, stable physical activity to see if the issue resolves. If the problem is not resolved with physical activity, over-the-counter treatments, or pain management and anti-inflammatory medication, the next step would be to see a specialist for an evaluation.

Most patients with spine problems can be treated non-surgically. Physical therapy, home exercises, medicine, and oftentimes spinal injections are recommended prior to considering surgery. If the problem still isn’t resolved, then surgery becomes a good option.

For instance, if a patient has significant neurogenic pain in the extremities and non-surgical management has not afforded relief, surgical intervention is the best decision. For those with symptoms related to the spinal cord or nerve root compressions, such as significant weakness in an arm, leg, or limb, specialists might recommend surgical intervention if non-surgical management was unsuccessful.

Prepare for Lumbar Spine Surgery in Turkey

Depending on your age and general medical fitness, your surgeon might ask you to have a checkup (also called a clearance) with your family expert doctor and any other specialist that you see regularly, such as your cardiologist (heart doctor).

Smoking: If you smoke or use smokeless tobacco, you should quit several months before lumbar spine surgery. Nicotine users are at greater risk for important complications after surgery, including wound infections and a delay in the bone healing needed for successful fusion surgeries. It is extremely critical to inform your surgeon about your nicotine usage before your lumbar spine surgery so that, together, you can determine a plan for you to quit. Any kind of nicotine, involving a nicotine patch, is detrimental.

Medications: Some medicines can affect your lumbar spine surgery by causing bleeding or interfering with anesthesia. These medications involve aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen. Certain over-the-counter dietary supplements and herbal remedies can also interfere with surgery. Your specialist will tell you which supplements and medicines you should stop taking in preparation for your procedure.

Donating Blood: It is not generally necessary to donate blood for lumbar spine surgery. However, there is always a chance that some blood loss will occur during the lumbar spine procedure. Your specialist will talk with you about the advantages and disadvantages of donating your own blood versus using someone else’s. If you decide to donate your own blood, your surgeon might prescribe an iron supplement to help build up your blood before lumbar spine surgery.

Advance Planning: You will be able to walk after lumbar spine surgery, but after you are back home, you might need assistance with activities like washing, dressing, cleaning, laundry, and shopping. Before your procedure, make arrangements to get help with these activities for the first few weeks after lumbar spine surgery. Even after minor spine surgery, your specialist might suggest that you not drive for a period of time. For this reason, a personal assistant will be provided by Healthy Türkiye for your transportation to your hospital appointments and other places you need to go during this time.

How Is Lumbar Spine Surgery Performed in Turkey?

You will continue to be kept fasted (nothing to eat or drink) and required to wear a theatre gown, you should have a bath or shower the morning of your lumbar spine surgery before you leave home. Your details will be checked with you on the ward before you go to the theatre. You will be wearing a wristband and have to answer a list of questions, for example, your name, and date of birth, and confirm that you have extracted all jewelry, underwear, makeup, etc.

You will be collected for theatre and taken to the theatre reception site, where the nurse will check your details again; whilst this can appear repetitive it is all done to ensure your safety. From there, you will be taken to the anesthesia room, where your details will be checked again. Experts have a robust safety checklist that involves asking you to confirm what operation you are having, your symptoms, which side of the body, they are on, and where you experience them. Do not be concerned, this is for safety only and not because of any queries about your surgery. Once this is done, the anesthetist will give you your anesthetic medicine, and once you are asleep, you will be taken into the theater, where lumbar spine surgery will be performed.

The lumbar spine surgery will be performed by the consultant or one of his expert teams. It is common for x-rays to be applied in the operating room to assist the surgeon with checking the correct position of the spinal bones and surgical level. After lumbar spine surgery, you will be taken on your bed into the recovery room where you will be monitored whilst you wake up from your anesthetic, and you will be made comfortable for your transfer back to the ward. You will be transferred back to the ward after spending 1 to 2 hours in recovery. On your return to the ward, your observations, i.e., blood pressure and pulse, will be checked regularly, as will your wound and your limb power and movement.

An intravenous infusion will be in your hand until you are awake enough to eat and drink again. You will be able to have sips of water a few hours after you are back in the ward, and then increase this as you feel well enough. You might need a wound drain, which is a small plastic tube located just beneath the skin that comes out of the skin near the wound and is attached to a plastic collection machine. It drains any excess fluid/blood away from the wound but is not always required.

If your lumbar spine surgery is early in the day, then you should be able to get out of bed and mobilize around the ward the evening of your surgery. Once you have recovered fully from the anesthetic, the experts will be happy for you to be out of bed. It is normal to feel some discomfort at the wound site after lumbar spine surgery and around the hip area, but specialists will manage this with appropriate pain relief medication.

Some patients will have patient-controlled analgesia. This is a push-button device that allows the patient to push a button to deliver some pain-killing medicine into the vein through a small plastic tube with each push of the button. It has a time-out switch so that it can regulate the amount of medicine delivered. This is generally used for the more extensive procedures or where pain control is a problem, and this will be decided on an individual patient basis.

After Lumbar Spine Surgery in Turkey

Some patients say that their leg symptoms have disappeared straight away; others say that it takes longer for them to subside. Every patient is different. You might experience discomfort around your wound and from spending time in one position. You might also find it difficult to pass urine and might need a catheter for a short time after lumbar spine surgery. It is normal to be in some discomfort, but let the nurse know if your pain stops you from doing normal things like sleeping, eating, walking, and going to the toilet.

Soon after your lumbar spine surgery, a nurse will come and see your progress on safely getting out of bed and walking. Routinely, you do not need to be seen, by a physiotherapist. Please see the post-op advice booklet for specific details and exercises. Some patients go home the same day, while others stay in the hospital overnight. This might depend on how long your lumbar spine surgery takes or the time of day it takes place.

If you have had clips to close your wound, the nurses on the ward will arrange a referral for them to be removed generally between 5 to 10 days after your lumbar spine surgery. An outpatient appointment will be made for you to see the surgeon’s team about 6 weeks after lumbar spine surgery. It is generally sent to your home address if it is not given to you in the hospital.

Some unexpectedly important consequences may arise. These cases include;

If you feel numbness around your back passage and genital region

If the new onset of bladder or bowel incontinence

If you feel new numbness, pins, and needles, or weakness in both legs

If you experience any of the above symptoms, you should contact the specialist medical team at Healthy Türkiye.

2024 Cost of Lumbar Spine Surgery in Turkey

All types of medical attention, like lumbar spine surgery, are very affordable in Turkey. Many factors are also included in determining the cost of lumbar spine surgery in Turkey. Your process with Healthy Türkiye will last from the time you decide to have lumbar spine surgery in Turkey until the time you are fully recovered, even if you are back home. The exact cost of lumbar spine surgery in Turkey depends on the type of operation involved.

The cost of lumbar spine surgery in Turkey does not demonstrate many variations in 2024. Compared to costs in developed countries like the United States or the UK, lumbar spine surgery costs in Turkey are relatively low. So, it’s no wonder patients from across the world visit Turkey for lumbar spine surgery procedures. However, price is not the only factor affecting choices. We suggest looking for hospitals that are safe and have lumbar spine surgery reviews on Google. When people decide to seek medical help for lumbar spine surgery, they will not only have had low-cost procedures in Turkey, but also the safest and best treatment.

At clinics or hospitals contracted with Healthy Türkiye, patients will receive the best lumbar spine surgery from specialist doctors in Turkey at affordable rates. Healthy Türkiye teams provide medical attention, lumbar spine surgery procedures, and high-quality treatment to patients at a minimum cost. When you contact Healthy Türkiye assistants, you can get free information about the cost of lumbar spine surgery in Turkey and what this cost covers.

The prices may vary based on specific procedure requirements. Contact us for exact price information.

Why Is Lumbar Spine Surgery Cheaper in Turkey?

One of the main considerations before traveling abroad for lumbar spine surgery is the cost-effectiveness of the whole process. Many patients think that when they add flight tickets and hotel expenses to their lumbar spine surgery costs, it will become very expensive to travel, which is not true. Contrary to popular belief, round-trip flight tickets to Turkey for lumbar spine surgery can be booked very affordably.

In this case, assuming you are staying in Turkey for your lumbar spine surgery, your total travel expense of flight tickets and accommodation will only cost less than any other developed country, which is nothing compared to the amount that you are saving. The question “Why is lumbar spine surgery cheaper in Turkey?” is so common among patients or people simply curious about getting their medical treatment in Turkey. When it comes to lumbar spine surgery prices in Turkey, there are 3 factors allowing for cheaper prices:

The currency exchange is favorable for whoever looking for lumbar spine surgery has a euro, dollar, or pound;

The lower cost of living and cheaper overall medical expenses such as lumbar spine surgery;

For lumbar spine surgery, incentives are given by the Turkish Government to medical clinics working with international clients;

All these factors allow for cheaper lumbar spine surgery prices, but let’s be clear, these prices are cheaper for people with strong currencies (as we said, euro, dollar, Canadian dollar, pound, etc).

Every year, thousands of patients from all over the world come to Turkey to get lumbar spine surgery. The success of the healthcare system has increased in recent years, especially for lumbar spine surgery. It’s easy to find well-educated and English-speaking medical professionals in Turkey for all kinds of medical treatment, such as lumbar spine surgery.

Why Choose Turkey for Lumbar Spine Surgery?

Turkey is a common choice among international patients seeking advanced lumbar spine surgery. Turkey’s health procedures are safe and effective operations with a high success rate like lumbar spine surgery. The increasing demand for high-quality lumbar spine surgery at affordable prices has made Turkey a popular medical travel destination. In Turkey, lumbar spine surgery is performed by highly experienced and trained doctors with the most advanced technology in the world. lumbar spine surgery is done in Istanbul, Ankara, Antalya, and other major cities. The reasons for choosing lumbar spine surgery in Turkey are as follows:

High-quality hospitals: Joint Commission International (JCI) accredited hospitals have dedicated lumbar spine surgery units that are specially designed for patients. International and national strict protocols provide effective and successful lumbar spine surgery for patients in Turkey.

Qualified experts: The expert teams include nurses and specialist doctors, together to carry out lumbar spine surgery according to the patient’s needs. All the included doctors are highly experienced in performing lumbar spine surgery.

Affordable price: The cost of lumbar spine surgery in Turkey is affordable compared to Europe, the USA, the UK, Singapore, Australia, etc.

The high success rate: Highly experienced specialists, the best available technology, and stringently followed safety guidelines for post-operative care of the patient, resulting in a high success rate for lumbar spine surgery in Turkey.

Is Lumbar Spine Surgery Safe in Turkey?

Did you know Turkey is one of the most visited destinations for lumbar spine surgery in the world? It is ranked as one of the most popular tourist destinations for lumbar spine surgery. Over the years, it has also come to be a very popular medical tourism destination, with many tourists coming in for lumbar spine surgery. There are so many reasons why Turkey stands out as a leading destination for lumbar spine surgery. Because Turkey is both safe and easy to travel to, with a regional airport hub and flight connections to pretty much everywhere, it is preferred for lumbar spine surgery.

The best hospitals in Turkey have experienced medical staff and specialists who have performed thousands of medical services such as lumbar spine surgery. All procedures and coordination related to lumbar spine surgery are controlled by the Ministry of Health in accordance with the law. Over many years, the greatest progress in medicine has been observed in the field of lumbar spine surgery. Turkey is known among foreign patients for its great opportunities in the area of lumbar spine surgery.

To emphasize, besides the price itself, the key factor in selecting a destination for lumbar spine surgery is certainly the standard of medical services, the hospital staff’s high expertise, hospitality, and the safety of the country.

All-Inclusive Packages for Lumbar Spine Surgery in Turkey

Healthy Türkiye offers all-inclusive packages for lumbar spine surgery in Turkey at much lower prices. Extremely professional and experienced doctors and technicians carry out the high quality lumbar spine surgery. The cost of lumbar spine surgery in European countries can be quite expensive, especially in the UK. Healthy Türkiye provides cheap all-inclusive packages for a long and short stay of lumbar spine surgery in Turkey. Because of many factors, we can provide you with many opportunities for your lumbar spine surgery in Turkey.

The price of lumbar spine surgery differs from other countries due to medical fees, staff labor prices, exchange rates, and market competition. You can save much more in lumbar spine surgery compared to other countries in Turkey. When you purchase a lumbar spine surgery all-inclusive package with Healthy Türkiye, our healthcare team will present a list of hotels for you to choose from. In lumbar spine surgery travel, the price of your stay will be included in the all-inclusive package cost.

In Turkey, when you purchase lumbar spine surgery all-inclusive packages through Healthy Türkiye, you will always receive VIP transfers. These are provided by Healthy Türkiye, which has contracted with highly qualified hospitals for lumbar spine surgery in Turkey. The Healthy Türkiye teams will organize everything about lumbar spine surgery for you and have you picked up from the airport and safely brought to your accommodation. Once settled in the hotel, you will be transferred to and from the clinic or hospital for lumbar spine surgery. After your lumbar spine surgery has been successfully completed, the transfer team will return you to the airport in time for your flight home. In Turkey, all packages of lumbar spine surgery can be arranged upon request, which relaxes the minds of our patients. You can reach out Healthy Türkiye for everything you need to know about lumbar spine in Turkey.