Degenerative Disc Disease Treatment in Turkey
About Degenerative Disc Disease
Key Highlights
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Pain Relief: Effectively alleviates chronic back and leg pain caused by nerve compression.Improved Mobility: Restores spinal stability and range of motion, enhancing daily function.Minimally Invasive Options: Many procedures use small incisions, leading to less tissue damage, reduced scarring, and faster recovery.listrongLong-Term Solution:/strong Addresses the structural cause of pain, offering a durable outcome when non-surgical treatments are insufficient./lilistrongCustomized Approach:/strong Surgery is tailored to the specific location and severity of disc degeneration (e.g., cervical, lumbar)./li/ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Severe, disabling back or radicular (leg/arm) pain that persists despite 6-12 weeks of conservative management (medication, physical therapy).
- Progressive neurological deficits, such as muscle weakness, numbness, or loss of reflexes in the limbs.
- Significant loss of spinal stability or abnormal spinal alignment (e.g., spondylolisthesis) due to disc collapse.
- Bowel or bladder dysfunction (cauda equina syndrome), which is a surgical emergency.
- Confirmed disc herniation or severe stenosis (narrowing) on MRI or CT scan that correlates with clinical symptoms.
How to prepare
- Medical Evaluation: Complete a thorough pre-operative assessment, including blood tests, ECG, and imaging studies (MRI, X-ray).
- Medication Review: Discuss all current medications with your surgeon; you may need to stop blood thinners (e.g., aspirin, warfarin) several days before surgery.
- Lifestyle Adjustments: Cease smoking, as it impedes healing, and maintain a healthy diet to optimize recovery.
- Pre-operative Planning: Arrange for help at home post-surgery and follow fasting instructions (typically no food or drink after midnight before the procedure).
- Informed Consent: Have a detailed discussion with your surgeon to understand the goals, steps, risks, and alternatives to the procedure.
Risks & possible complications
- General Surgical Risks: Infection, bleeding, blood clots (deep vein thrombosis), and adverse reactions to anesthesia.
- Nerve or Spinal Cord Injury: Potential for new or worsened numbness, weakness, or paralysis, though rare.
- Dural Tear: Accidental puncture of the protective membrane around the spinal cord, which may cause cerebrospinal fluid leakage.
- Pseudarthrosis: In spinal fusion, failure of the bones to fuse properly, which may require additional surgery.
- Adjacent Segment Disease: Increased stress on vertebrae above or below the surgical site, potentially leading to future degeneration.
- Persistent or Recurrent Pain: Surgery may not completely eliminate pain in all cases.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Hospital Stay: Initial monitoring for 1-3 days; pain management and assistance with initial mobility are provided.
- Activity Restrictions: Avoid bending, twisting, and heavy lifting (typically nothing over 5 kg) for the first 4-6 weeks. A brace may be recommended.
- Pain Management: Use prescribed medications as directed and gradually transition to over-the-counter options.
- Rehabilitation: Begin a structured physical therapy program after 2-6 weeks to strengthen core muscles and improve flexibility.
- Follow-up: Attend all scheduled post-operative appointments for wound checks and progress assessment via imaging if needed.
- Return to Activities: Light desk work may be possible in 2-4 weeks; full recovery and return to strenuous activities can take 3-6 months or longer, depending on the procedure.
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Typical hospital stay:
1-3 days
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Expected recovery time:
6 weeks to 6 months (varies by procedure and individual healing)
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering degenerative disc disease in Turkey, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for degenerative disc disease in Turkey include Istinye Üniversitesi Hastanesi Liv, VM Medical Park Pendik Hastanesi, Medical Park Florya, Medical Park Bahçelievler, 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 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 degenerative disc disease compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for Degenerative Disc Disease in Turkey
These partner hospitals in Turkey have dedicated spine surgery teams and experience managing patients undergoing degenerative disc disease.
Istanbul, Turkey
140 Doctors
Karan Garcia, a 42-year-old construction foreman...
Karan Garcia, a 42-year-old construction foreman and father of three, had always been the strong, active backbone of his family. For the past five years, he'd managed increasing lower back pain with over-the-counter medication, blaming it on the physical demands of his job. Recently, the pain had become a constant, burning ache that shot down his left leg, causing numbness in his foot. Simple tasks like bending to tie his boots or playing catch with his kids became agonizing. He was terrified of losing his ability to provide. An MRI confirmed advanced degenerative disc disease at L4-L5 and L5-S1. His spine surgeon, Dr. Evans, recommended a two-level lumbar fusion, explaining it was the best option to stabilize his spine, relieve the nerve pressure, and give him a chance at a functional life. Karan was anxious about the surgery's complexity and a long recovery. The procedure went smoothly, but the initial recovery was tough, he felt vulnerable relying on his wife for everything. With dedicated physical therapy, he gradually regained strength. Six months post-op, the shooting leg pain was gone. While he has some stiffness, he can now coach his son's soccer team from the sidelines and work in a supervisory role. Emotionally, he moved from fear and frustration to profound gratitude and a redefined sense of strength, focusing on being present for his family rather than just being the provider.