Spinal disorders refer to the degenerative process in the spine that typically occurs with aging, progresses over time, and becomes more prevalent after the age of 60.
What are the most common spinal disorders?
The most common spinal disorders are those associated with aging. In nearly every healthy person, degeneration of the spine becomes quite noticeable after the age of 60. It is nearly impossible to avoid this, as it is a degenerative process that progresses with age and worsens over time. Preventing this is a topic for a separate discussion. However, when it comes to prevalence, the most common conditions are those associated with aging. The second most common spinal problem is lower back and neck pain, as well as herniated discs in the lower back and neck, because the spine is one of the body’s primary load-bearing structures. For this reason, mechanical pain—that is, muscle and joint pain—and/or herniated discs in the lower back and neck are, unfortunately, common problems in society.
Are spinal surgeries risky? Which conditions carry a higher risk?
It is not really possible to conduct a risk analysis of spinal conditions in general terms. However, while there are the simplest cases—such as a lumbar herniated disc that can be resolved with minimally invasive surgery—or procedures that are extremely comfortable for both the doctor and the patient because the surgery is very short, there are also certain surgeries that pose a serious burden for both the patient and the doctor. There are spinal surgeries in the highest risk category, as well as those in the lowest category involving the smallest interventions. When assessing the risk of surgery, each patient and his specific condition must be evaluated individually. Therefore, it is more accurate to speak of a risk calculated specifically for the patient rather than a general risk.
Is our country advanced in terms of spinal surgery?
As you know, our country’s overall performance in the healthcare sector is quite good. Especially when compared to neighboring countries, Turkey is in a very good position. We might even say that our expertise in spinal surgery surpasses this overall success. This is because many patients from neighboring countries, as well as from Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, seek treatment in Turkey for conditions such as spinal surgery, scoliosis surgery, and spinal cord tumors as part of medical tourism. Consequently, our country has reached a truly commendable level in this regard.
Is spinal surgery a separate specialty?
In some countries around the world, spinal surgery is recognized as a distinct specialty. Globally, this field is primarily practiced by neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons. Although it is not yet officially recognized as a specialty or subspecialty in our country, efforts to grant the title of “spinal surgeon” or establish “spinal surgery” as a specialty continue through the initiatives of neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons. Very rigorous training programs and certification processes are currently underway in this regard. I hope we will see the results of these efforts one day.