Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease Treatment in Turkey
About Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease
Key Highlights
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Provides significant and long-lasting relief from chronic neck and arm pain.Addresses the root cause of nerve compression, improving neurological function.Modern techniques like artificial disc replacement can preserve natural neck motion.Stabilizes the cervical spine, preventing further degeneration at the treated level.Can dramatically improve quality of life, sleep, and the ability to perform daily activities.
Who is this surgery for?
- Severe, persistent neck pain or radiculopathy (arm pain/numbness) unresponsive to conservative treatments (e.g., physical therapy, medications, injections) for 6-12 weeks.
- Progressive neurological deficits, such as muscle weakness, loss of coordination, or loss of fine motor skills in the hands.
- Evidence of spinal cord compression (myelopathy) causing gait instability, balance issues, or bowel/bladder dysfunction.
- Confirmed disc herniation, bone spur (osteophyte), or spinal stenosis on MRI or CT scan correlating with symptoms.
- Significant disc degeneration causing spinal instability or deformity.
How to prepare
- Complete a thorough pre-operative evaluation, including medical history, physical exam, and imaging studies (MRI, X-ray).
- Undergo necessary pre-surgical tests like blood work, ECG, and chest X-ray to ensure fitness for anesthesia.
- Discuss and potentially discontinue certain medications (e.g., blood thinners, NSAIDs) as advised by your surgeon and primary doctor.
- Stop smoking and avoid alcohol for several weeks before surgery to optimize healing.
- Arrange for post-operative support at home and plan for time off work.
- Follow fasting instructions (typically nothing to eat or drink after midnight) before the procedure.
Risks & possible complications
- General surgical risks: Reaction to anesthesia, bleeding, infection, or blood clots (DVT/PE).
- Nerve-related complications: Temporary or permanent nerve injury, leading to worsened pain, numbness, weakness, or paralysis (rare).
- Spinal cord injury, which is rare but can have serious consequences.
- Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) or hoarseness, often temporary, due to retraction during anterior approach surgery.
- Graft or hardware-related issues: Non-union (failure of bones to fuse), graft displacement, or implant failure.
- Adjacent segment disease: Increased stress on discs above or below the fusion site, potentially leading to future problems.
- Persistent pain or the need for additional surgery.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Hospital stay typically lasts 1-2 days for monitoring pain, neurological status, and mobilization.
- Neck may be placed in a soft or hard cervical collar for support and to promote fusion; duration varies from a few days to several weeks.
- Pain is managed with prescribed medications; activities are initially restricted (no lifting, bending, twisting).
- Gradual return to light activities and walking is encouraged; a structured physical therapy program usually begins 4-6 weeks post-op.
- Follow-up appointments are scheduled to monitor healing and fusion progress via X-rays.
- A full return to non-strenuous work may take 4-6 weeks, with heavy labor or contact sports restricted for 3-6 months or until cleared by the surgeon.
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Typical hospital stay:
1-2 days
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Expected recovery time:
4-6 weeks for initial recovery; 3-6 months for full fusion and activity resumption
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering cervical degenerative disc disease in Turkey, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for cervical degenerative disc disease in Turkey include Liv Hospital Bahçeşehir, Istinye Üniversitesi Hastanesi Liv, Liv Hospital Ankara, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform cervical degenerative disc disease. MediFyr helps you compare spine surgeons and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for cervical degenerative disc disease compare across other countries where we have data.
| Country | Estimated cost range | Typical stay | Recovery time | View details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | USD 2,719 – USD 6,526 | 1-2 days | ~ 4-6 weeks for initial recovery; 3-6 months for full fusion and activity resumption | Know More |
| Turkey | USD 20,131 – USD 48,315 | 1-2 days | ~ 4-6 weeks for initial recovery; 3-6 months for full fusion and activity resumption | Know More |
Top hospitals for Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease in Turkey
These partner hospitals in Turkey have dedicated spine surgery teams and experience managing patients undergoing cervical degenerative disc disease.
Istanbul, Turkey
140 Doctors
Follow-up visit for my cervical disc...
Follow-up visit for my cervical disc replacement. Dr. Dwivedi remembered my daughter's board exam results and asked about them first. His staff coordinated with insurance for my scans - clinical excellence matched by human touch.