Scoliosis Surgery in Turkey

About Scoliosis Surgery in Turkey

Scoliosis surgery in Turkey is available to patients who suffer from an abnormal curve of the spine. Every individual has a natural curve in their spine. The natural curvature provides the spine aligned slightly inward in the lower part of the back. However, some people have a deformation in the alignment of the spine, therefore, making it appear curved from side to side. This sideways alignment of the spine curvature is defined as scoliosis.

A rearview spine X-ray indicates a straight line in the case of a normal individual. However, the spine of a person with scoliosis shows an “S” or “C” shape. A mild curvature ranges between 10 to 20 degrees, while an average curvature ranges between 20 and 50 degrees. On the other hand, a curvature of more than 50 degrees is regarded as a severe spinal curvature.

When scoliosis condition is detected at an early stage, it can be treated by simply wearing spinal braces, which prevent the curve from becoming worse. However, if the spinal curvature cannot be corrected using a non-invasive technique such as a body brace, the surgeon may recommend spine surgery for scoliosis. Scoliosis surgery typically contains the correction of the spinal curve by fixing its shape as close to normal as possible.

A spinal fusion surgery can help hold the spinal curve in its right position. In this operation, a combination of instruments such as screws, hooks, and rods, are used along with a bone graft. The instrumentation is connected and fixed to the bones of the spine which helps hold them in place. The surgeon puts a bone graft, taken from the patient’s own body, a donor or synthetic graft, and bones eventually fuse (spinal fusion surgery) as they grow together with the adjacent bones and turn into one solid piece.

This procedure will also prevent any further curvature in that region of the spine. There are many techniques for scoliosis surgery and the choice depends on the spinal condition, the patient’s health, and other factors. The surgical operations can be performed by making a single incision on the back of the spine, along with or without another incision on the front or side of the back.

The type of incision is determined based on the area and severity of the spinal curve. A minimally invasive spine operation is an advanced keyhole procedure that allows less surgical damage to the surrounding tissues, faster recovery, and shorter hospital stays. You can get detailed information about scoliosis surgery in the consultation you will perform with Healthy Türkiye.

Scoliosis Surgery Procedure in Turkey

Scoliosis surgery in Turkey is a treatment option for deformed spines. Scoliosis is a sideways curve in the spine (backbone) that is generally diagnosed in adolescents age. It can happen in people with conditions such as cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy, most often there is no known cause for this condition. The angle of the curve may be small, big, or somewhere in between. In most cases, scoliosis is mild though some curves grow severe as children grow. In addition, extreme spinal curves can reduce the amount of space within the chest making it difficult for the lungs to perform properly. Doctors may use the alphabets “C” and “S” to define the curve in scoliosis.

When the Cobb angle is more than 50 degrees, scoliosis cases almost always need surgery. Curves less than 30 degrees generally do not need surgery. Braces like the Milwaukee brace and Boston brace may be preferred for curves between 20 and 50 degrees. Curves of more than 80 degrees can compromise the functioning of the heart and lungs and should always be corrected with scoliosis surgery. Corrective surgery for scoliosis is generally performed from the middle of the back. The curvature in the spine is corrected using titanium screws and rods. In addition, the bones involved in the curvature are then fused together so that the curve does not progress any further with growth.

The scoliosis case, if diagnosed early, can be treated by wearing spinal braces so that the curve does not progress into something else. However, if the spinal curvature cannot be controlled with a body brace, scoliosis surgery is prescribed. The purpose of scoliosis surgery is to help to stop the curve from progressing any further. At Healthy Türkiye, we work in collaboration with quality surgeons and specialists having substantial expertise in effectively executing scoliosis surgery in Turkey. Our team makes sure that you receive the finest quality scoliosis surgery and continue your life with an effectively functioning spine after the operation.

Symptoms of Scoliosis

Some of the most common symptoms of scoliosis is an unusual curve of the spine. Often it is a mild change and may be first detected by a friend, family member, or physician doing a routine screening of children for school or sports. The difference in the curve of the spine usually occurs very slowly. Therefore, it is easy to miss until it becomes a more severe physical deformity.

Scoliosis may also cause the head to appear off-center, leaning to one side, noticing one hip or shoulder to be higher than the other or opposite side. In some conditions, people may have a more obvious curve on one side of the rib cage on their back from twisting of the vertebrae and ribs. If the scoliosis case is more complex, this condition can make it more difficult for the heart and lungs to work properly which can also cause shortness of breath and chest pain. The most common symptoms involve:

Asymmetric shoulders

One shoulder blade seems more prominent than the other

Curve and asymmetric waist

One but higher than the other

One side of the rib cage extends forward

A protrusion on one side of the back when bending forward

In most scoliosis cases, it is not painful and often is ignored. However, there are certain types of scoliosis that can cause pain in the back, rib, neck, muscle spasms, and abdominal pain. Furthermore, there are other causes of these nonspecific pains, which the doctor will want to examine for as well to rule out other diseases. If you are interested in scoliosis surgery and you are looking for an experienced professional surgical team, Healthy Türkiye is here for you. Our team provides state-of-the-art treatment for you. To learn more about scoliosis surgery, contact us.

Type of Scoliosis Surgery in Turkey

Turkey performs scoliosis surgery most successfully with different methods according to the needs of patients. In general, a surgical procedure in adults may be recommended when the spinal curve is greater than 50 degrees, the patient has nerve damage to their legs, and is experiencing bowel or bladder symptoms. Adults with degenerative scoliosis and spinal stenosis may require decompression operation with spinal fusion and a surgical approach from both the front and back.

A number of factors can lead to raised surgical-related risks in older adults with degenerative scoliosis. These factors contain the following: advanced age, being a smoker, being overweight, and the presence of other medical problems. In general, both surgical operation and recovery time is expected to be longer in older adults with scoliosis. Surgical approaches in scoliosis surgery include the following:

Posterior Surgical Approach

The most frequently performed surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis includes posterior spinal fusion with instrumentation and bone grafting. This method is performed through the back while the patient lies on his or her stomach. During this operation, the spine is straightened with rigid rods, followed by spinal fusion. Spinal fusion contains adding a bone graft to the curved area of the spine, which creates a solid union between two or more vertebrae. The metal rods attached to the spine ensure that the backbone remains straight while the spinal fusion takes influence.

This procedure generally takes several hours in children, but will generally take longer in older adults. With recent advances in technology, most people with idiopathic scoliosis are released within a week of operation and do not require post-surgical bracing. Most patients are able to return to school or work two to four weeks post-surgery. They are able to continue all pre-surgical activities within four to six months.

Anterior Surgical Approach

The patient lies on his or her side during the operation. The surgeon makes incisions in the patient’s side, deflates the lung, and eliminates a rib in order to reach the spine. Video-assisted thoracoscopic (VAT) surgery offers enhanced visualization of the spine. It is a less invasive surgery than an open procedure. The anterior spinal approach has several potential benefits: more satisfactory deformity correction, quicker patient rehabilitation, improved spine mobilization, and fusion of fewer segments. The potential disadvantages are that many patients need bracing for several months post-surgery.

Decompressive Laminectomy Method

The laminae (roof) of the vertebrae are removed to construct more space for the nerves. A spinal fusion with or without spinal instrumentation is often advised when scoliosis and spinal stenosis are present. Various devices (like screws or rods) may be used to improve fusion and support unstable areas of the spine.

Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS)

Fusion can sometimes be achieved via smaller incisions through MIS. The use of advanced fluoroscopy (X-ray imaging during surgery) and endoscopy (camera technology) has improved the accuracy of incisions and hardware placement, minimizing tissue trauma while allowing an MIS approach. It is critical to keep in mind that not all cases can be treated in this manner and a number of factors contribute to the surgical technique used.

The advantages of surgery should always be weighed carefully against its risks. Although a large percentage of scoliosis patients benefit from surgery, there is no guarantee that the operation will stop curve progression and symptoms in every individual.

How Is Scoliosis Surgery Performed in Turkey?

Turkey offers different surgical techniques to its patients for scoliosis surgery. If you do need surgery for scoliosis, this can be done in a number of methods. Your surgeon will discuss what the best choice is for you. The surgical alternatives will depend on what your scoliosis looks like and the surgeon’s preference. Surgery to correct the curvature of the spine can be performed to the front or back of the spine or both.

The goals of the operation are to correct some of the curves and to fuse the spine so that scoliosis cannot get worse. Fusing the spine represents making the bones of the spine join together so that there is no more movement between them. This is generally done by putting rods and screws into the bones, to hold them still, while they grow together.

If you have surgery on the front of the spine, this will contain making an incision on the side of the chest and removing part of one rib so the spine can then be operated on. In the human spine, discs are the soft spaces between the bones of the spine. These discs allow bending and straightening and help to hold the bones of the spine together. Removing the discs provides the bones at the front of the spine to grow together and become stiff.

If the spine is very stiff, sometimes it is necessary to eliminate the discs to help straighten the spine as well. After the procedure, there will be a tube coming out of the chest to help re-expand the lung. This tube normally stays in for four to five days after the operation. If you do need to have surgery on the front of the spine, it is often necessary to have a surgical operation on the back of the spine as well.

Surgery to the back of the spine is performed using an incision down the middle of your back. Again, screws and rods are generally used to hold the bones of the spine in a good position while they grow together. This procedure does not require reinflation of the lung afterward. There are a number of risks contained with any surgery on the spine, and your surgeon will discuss these with you. The most frightening of these is the risk of harm to the nerves or the spinal cord itself. Thankfully this is rare in Turkey for scoliosis surgery. Worldwide, nerve injury occurs in about one in 300 spinal surgeries. When it does occur, however, it can have major effects, so every precaution is taken to avoid damage to the nerves.

During the operation, special tests are done to check that the spinal cord is still functioning normally. If there are any signs that the spinal cord is unhappy, then the procedure may need to be modified or postponed. Injury to the spinal cord can happen without these tests showing any problems, but this is quite rare. After having surgery for scoliosis, people notice that their posture has changed. After the scoliosis procedure, their shoulder heights are more level and they are better balanced. It is not possible to completely reverse the changes that happen in the ribs due to the twisting of the spine. There is always some residual difference between the two sides of the chest, but this is generally improved.

After Scoliosis Surgery in Turkey

Every person’s recovery journey is different. Therefore, plan a scoliosis surgery recovery timeline and listen to your doctor. Expert doctors will give you the best idea of what to expect in the weeks and months following surgery. If there are no complications, most scoliosis surgery people can expect to be discharged from the hospital 3 to 7 days after the operation. During the first few days, patients will require plenty of rest. As early as the first day after the operation, your doctor may have you stand and walk short distances with assistance. By the end of the first weeks, you should be able to perform some small daily duties that do not require bending or lifting, like brushing your teeth.

On your discharge day, your doctor will ensure instructions for at-home care, such as what medications to take and any activities you should do. You would not be able to drive yourself home, so make sure you have arranged for anyone to pick you up from the hospital. As you are regaining your strength during the first 2 weeks of scoliosis surgery recovery, have friends and family members around to help you with daily duties. While they are busy helping you, you will be busy with wound care at this step in the recovery process.

To prevent infection, you will require to maintain the area dry and clean. It may be tempting to begin applying scar creams as soon as possible. However, it is the best idea to avoid applying any creams or lotions until the incision is fully healed. Follow your doctor’s wound care instructions. When in doubt, ask before applying any other topical solutions.

After one month, patients typically begin to feel more energetic. Your doctor will likely have you off all prescription pain medications by this stage in your recovery. While you may begin feeling better, you should still be mindful of your limitations. Light exercise, like walking, is encouraged. However, you would not be able to run, jump, or lift heavy objects just yet. Around 6 weeks post-surgery, you will see your doctor for a follow-up appointment to decide if you are ready to take on more strenuous activities. At 12 weeks, your doctor will want to take some X-rays to control your progress. If all is well, you should be able to go back to the will of your normal, unrestrictive activities.

The only things your doctor may still regard as off-limits are sports that need a great deal of spinal flexibility, like gymnastics, bowling, and activities that can potentially harm your spine, such as riding a rollercoaster or playing contact sports. After a final recovery check-in with orthopedists, many patients can continue all activities (including contact sports) between 6 and 12 months post-op.

Remember, these suggestions are made by doctors on a case-by-case basis. Do not think that just because it has been more than 6 months after the scoliosis surgery you can do whatever you want. Always consult your doctor before beginning or continuing contact sports and other extreme activities, such as rock climbing or bungee jumping.

Benefits of Scoliosis Surgery

Scoliosis is a condition that can influence all three levels of your spine, and it can happen in both children and adults. There are a number of factors that determine what type of approach is best, but for many people, surgery is the best choice. Like all surgeries, an operation to correct scoliosis has a number of benefits. Here is a look at some of the reasons why surgery to address your scoliosis may be in your best interest.

Corrects all types of deformities in the spine: The location and severity of the situation can result in a variety of spinal issues, from lateral or sagittal displacement to a visible spinal curve. Scoliosis surgery can correct all of these different problems.

Fast Recovery: Due to the nature of the procedure, there is a very low probability that you will experience a recurrence of the scoliosis problem at the same spinal level. Your expert doctor will want to monitor the nearby sections to provide they are not living overstressed following the stabilization procedure.

Low stress on structures in the spine: Depending on the area and severity of the curve, there is a good opportunity that your surgeon will be able to use smaller hardware that leaves minimal stress on the nearby bones and structures.

Minimally invasive procedure: Some people may be able to have the procedure performed on a minimally invasive basis, which decreases the likelihood of complications and speeds up the recovery period.

High Success: The vast majority of patients who undergo scoliosis surgery experience great results. They see a noticeable difference in their spine and their pain levels shortly after the operation.

Not sure if scoliosis surgery is the right procedure for you? Contact the Healthy Türkiye!

2024 Cost of Scoliosis Surgery in Turkey

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

The cost of scoliosis surgery in Turkey does not demonstrate many variations in 2024. Compared to costs in developed countries like the United States or the UK, scoliosis surgery costs in Turkey are relatively low. Therefore, it is no wonder patients from across the world visit Turkey for scoliosis surgery procedures. However, the price is not the only factor affecting choices, we suggest looking for hospitals that are safe and have scoliosis surgery reviews on Google. When people decide to seek medical help for scoliosis 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 scoliosis surgery from specialist doctors in Turkey at affordable rates. Healthy Türkiye teams to provide medical attention to scoliosis 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 scoliosis 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 Scoliosis Surgery Cheaper in Turkey?

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

In this case, assuming you are staying in Turkey for your scoliosis 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 scoliosis surgery cheaper in Turkey?” is so common between patients or people simply curious about getting their medical treatment in Turkey. When it comes to scoliosis surgery prices in Turkey, there are 3 factors allow cheaper prices:

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

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

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

All these factors allow for cheaper scoliosis 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 scoliosis surgery. The success of the healthcare system has increased in recent years, especially for scoliosis surgery. It’s easy to find well-educated and English-speaking medical professionals in Turkey for all kinds of medical treatment such as scoliosis surgery.

Why Choose Turkey for Scoliosis Surgery?

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

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

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

Affordable price: The cost of scoliosis 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 scoliosis surgery in Turkey.

Is Scoliosis Surgery Safe in Turkey?

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

The best hospitals in Turkey have experienced medical staff and specialists who have performed thousands of medical services such as scoliosis surgery. All procedures and coordination related to scoliosis 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 scoliosis surgery. Turkey is known among foreign patients for its great opportunities in the area of scoliosis surgery.

To emphasize, besides the price itself, the key factor in selecting a destination for scoliosis 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 Scoliosis Surgery in Turkey

Healthy Türkiye offers all-inclusive packages for scoliosis surgery in Turkey at much lower prices. Extremely professional and experienced doctors and technicians carry out high-quality scoliosis surgery. The cost of scoliosis 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 scoliosis surgery in Turkey. Because of many factors, we can provide you with many opportunities for your scoliosis surgery in Turkey.

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

In Turkey, when you purchase scoliosis surgery all-inclusive packages through Healthy Türkiye, you will always receive VIP transfers. These are provided by Healthy Türkiye, which is contracted with highly qualified hospitals for scoliosis surgery in Turkey. Healthy Türkiye teams will organize everything about scoliosis 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 scoliosis surgery. After your scoliosis 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 scoliosis 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 scoliosis surgery in Turkey.