Spinal cord surgery

What is spinal cord surgery?

Spinal cord surgery is a procedure used to treat problems affecting the spinal cord, nerves, or nearby structures. Its main goal is to relieve pain, improve movement, and prevent further nerve damage.

These surgeries are often recommended when conditions like nerve compression, spinal injuries, tumors, or instability affect daily life. Our neurosurgery center offers modern techniques, including minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS),that allow our doctors to operate precisely while reducing recovery time and discomfort.

Many patients find that spinal cord surgery helps them regain mobility, reduce pain, and get back to their normal activities when other treatments haven’t worked.

When is spinal cord surgery needed?

Spinal cord surgery is usually recommended when non-surgical treatments like medication, physical therapy, or injections do not relieve symptoms. It is also considered when a condition threatens nerve function or spinal stability.

You may need spinal cord surgery if you experience:

• Persistent back or neck pain that limits daily activities
• Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arms or legs
• Difficulty walking, balancing, or controlling movement
• Spinal injuries or tumors that affect nerve function

Your specialist will carefully evaluate your condition, review imaging tests, and discuss whether surgery is the safest and most effective option for you.

Types of spinal cord surgery performed at Biruni Hospital 

There are several types of spinal cord surgery, each targeting specific problems in the spine or nerves. Your surgeon at Biruni Hospital in Turkey will recommend the procedure that best fits your condition and goals.

1. Discectomy

• Purpose: 

Removes part of a damaged disc that is pressing on a nerve to relieve pain, numbness, or weakness.

• Procedure details:

 During a discectomy, the surgeon makes an incision near the affected area of the spine, carefully moves aside muscles and tissues, and removes the portion of the disc compressing the nerve. In some cases, a small portion of bone may also be removed to access the disc. The procedure may be performed using traditional open surgery or minimally invasive techniques.

2. Laminectomy

• Purpose:

 Removes a small portion of bone to create space for the spinal cord and nerves, often used to relieve pressure from spinal stenosis.

• Procedure details:

The surgeon makes an incision over the affected vertebrae and removes part of the lamina, the back portion of the vertebra, to relieve nerve compression. Ligaments or tissue causing pressure may also be trimmed. Laminectomy can be performed as an open surgery or through minimally invasive approaches using specialized instruments.

3. Spinal Fusion

• Purpose: 

Joins two or more vertebrae together to stabilize the spine and reduce pain caused by excessive movement.

• Procedure details: 

The surgeon places bone grafts or bone-like materials between affected vertebrae and uses metal rods, screws, or plates to hold them in place while the bones fuse. Fusion may be done from the front (anterior),back (posterior),or side of the spine. The procedure can be open or minimally invasive depending on the case.

4. Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty

• Purpose: 

Minimally invasive procedures are used to stabilize spinal fractures and reduce pain, often by injecting special material into weakened bones.

• Procedure details:

 In vertebroplasty, a needle is inserted into the fractured vertebra under imaging guidance, and bone cement is injected to stabilize it. 

Kyphoplasty is similar but involves inflating a small balloon first to restore vertebral height before injecting cement. Both procedures are performed under local or general anesthesia with minimal recovery time.

5. Tumor removal

• Purpose: 

Surgical removal of spinal tumors to prevent nerve damage and relieve symptoms.

• Procedure details: 

Depending on the tumor's size and location, the surgeon may perform an open or minimally invasive surgery to remove the tumor. The procedure involves carefully separating the tumor from the spinal cord and nerves while maintaining spinal stability. In some cases, additional stabilization or fusion may be required.

6. Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MISS)

• Purpose:

 Uses smaller incisions and advanced tools to perform precise surgeries with less tissue disruption, leading to faster recovery and less pain.

• Procedure Details:

 MISS techniques vary depending on the condition being treated (e.g., discectomy, laminectomy, or fusion). Surgeons use tubular retractors, microscopes, or endoscopic cameras to access the spine through tiny incisions. This approach reduces muscle damage, minimizes blood loss, and often allows patients to recover faster than traditional open surgery.

Why choose Turkey for spinal cord surgery

 Turkey has become a leading destination for spinal cord surgery thanks to its combination of highly skilled neurosurgeons, modern hospitals equipped with advanced technology, and internationally accredited medical centers.

 Patients benefit from state-of-the-art diagnostics, minimally invasive procedures, and comprehensive post-surgery rehabilitation, all at a fraction of the cost compared to many Western countries.

 In addition, Turkey offers excellent international patient support, seamless travel arrangements, and the opportunity to recover in a comfortable, patient-friendly environment, making it an ideal choice for those seeking high-quality spinal care abroad.