Spinal diseases are degeneration processes in the spine that usually occur with aging, progress over time and increase after the 60s.
What are the most common spine diseases?
The most common spinal diseases are spinal diseases associated with aging. In almost every healthy person, degeneration of the spine becomes more pronounced after the age of 60. It is almost impossible to avoid this. This is because it is a degeneration process that progresses with life and increases with age. Prevention is a separate topic of discussion. However, when asked about the frequency, the most common diseases are those associated with old age. The second most common spinal problem is lumbar neck pain and lumbar neck hernias because the spine is one of the main load-bearing elements of our body. For this reason, mechanical pain, i.e. muscle and joint pain and/or herniated discs in the waist and neck are unfortunately common problems in the society.
Are spine surgeries risky? Which diseases are more at risk?
It is not possible to analyze the risk of spinal diseases in a general way. However, there are the simplest cases, such as lumbar herniated discs that can be resolved with closed surgery, or procedures that take a very short time and are extremely comfortable for the doctor and the patient, as well as some surgeries that pose a serious burden for both the patient and the doctor. There are spine surgeries from the highest category, as well as the lowest category and the smallest interventions. When determining the risk of surgery, each patient and disease should be evaluated together. Therefore, it would be more accurate to talk about a calculated risk for the patient rather than a general risk.
Is our country an advanced country in terms of spine surgeries?
As you know, the overall performance of our country in the field of health is quite good. Especially when compared to neighboring countries, Turkey is in a very good position. We can say that our competence in spine surgery is perhaps even above this general success. Because many patients from many neighboring countries, Europe, North African countries, Middle Eastern countries apply to Turkey within the scope of health tourism with diagnoses such as spine surgery, scoliosis surgeries, spinal cord tumors. Therefore, our country is a point of pride in this regard.
Is spine surgery a separate specialty?
In some countries of the world, spine surgery is a separate specialty. Basically, this work is carried out by neurosurgeons and orthopedic specialists around the world. In our country, although it has not been officially registered as a specialty or subspecialty, the attempt to give the title of spine surgery or spine surgeon is being carried out with the initiatives of neurosurgeons and orthopedic physicians. Very serious training programs and certification studies are ongoing. I hope one day we will see the results of this.