Spinal Tuberculosis Treatment in Turkey
About Spinal Tuberculosis
Key Highlights
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Halts progression of spinal infection and prevents further bone destruction.Decompresses the spinal cord and nerve roots to relieve pain and prevent paralysis.Corrects spinal deformity (kyphosis) to improve posture and alignment.Provides spinal stability through fusion, preventing pathological fractures.Can be performed using minimally invasive techniques for reduced tissue trauma.Addresses cases where antibiotic therapy alone is insufficient./ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Failure of conservative anti-tubercular drug therapy (ATT) after 4-6 weeks.
- Progressive neurological deficits like weakness, numbness, or bowel/bladder dysfunction.
- Severe spinal instability or risk of pathological fracture.
- Significant spinal deformity (kyphosis) causing pain or respiratory compromise.
- Large paravertebral abscesses not responding to drainage.
- Diagnostic uncertainty requiring tissue biopsy for confirmation.
- Intractable pain unresponsive to medications.
How to prepare
- Complete course of pre-operative anti-tubercular therapy (ATT) as prescribed, typically for 2-4 weeks.
- Comprehensive diagnostic imaging including MRI and CT scan of the spine.
- Blood tests, ESR/CRP levels, and possibly a tuberculin skin test or IGRA.
- Consultation with a pulmonologist to assess systemic tuberculosis involvement.
- Nutritional optimization to improve healing, as TB often causes weight loss.
- Pre-operative physiotherapy assessment and breathing exercises.
- Discontinuation of certain medications (e.g., blood thinners) as advised by the surgeon.
- Fasting for 8-12 hours before the surgery as per anesthesia guidelines.
Risks & possible complications
- General surgical risks: infection, bleeding, blood clots (DVT/PE), and anesthesia complications.
- Neurological risks: nerve injury, worsening of deficits, or paralysis.
- Instrumentation-related risks: hardware failure, loosening, or malposition.
- Non-union or failure of the spinal fusion to heal properly.
- Recurrence of tuberculosis infection if ATT is not completed post-operatively.
- Adjacent segment disease or long-term spinal stiffness.
- Persistent pain or the development of chronic pain syndromes.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Initial hospital stay for monitoring neurological status and pain management.
- Continuation of multi-drug anti-tubercular therapy (ATT) for 9-12 months post-surgery.
- Use of a spinal brace or orthosis for several weeks to months for support.
- Gradual mobilization with assistance from physiotherapists, starting with walking.
- Restrictions on bending, lifting, and twisting for 3-6 months.
- Regular follow-up visits for imaging (X-rays) to monitor fusion and alignment.
- Nutritional support and a protein-rich diet to aid tissue healing and combat TB.
- Long-term rehabilitation to regain strength, flexibility, and functional independence.
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Typical hospital stay:
7-14 days
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Expected recovery time:
6-12 months for full recovery and fusion
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering spinal tuberculosis in Turkey, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for spinal tuberculosis 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 spinal tuberculosis. 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 spinal tuberculosis compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for Spinal Tuberculosis in Turkey
These partner hospitals in Turkey have dedicated spine surgery teams and experience managing patients undergoing spinal tuberculosis.
Instabul, Turkey
140 Doctors
Reyansh Khan, a 28-year-old software engineer...
Reyansh Khan, a 28-year-old software engineer from Mumbai, had always been active, playing cricket on weekends. Over six months, he developed a persistent, dull backache he initially dismissed as a muscle strain. When he started losing weight without trying and experienced night sweats, he grew concerned. The pain became sharp, radiating to his ribs, and he developed a slight stoop. An MRI revealed destruction of his thoracic vertebrae, confirming Spinal Tuberculosis (Pott's disease). His spine surgeon, Dr. Desai, explained that the infection was causing spinal instability and risk of paralysis. Reyansh underwent a procedure called a posterior spinal fusion with debridement, where the infected bone was cleaned out and his spine was stabilized with rods and screws. The surgery was long, but successful. His recovery involved nine months of anti-TB medications and three months in a rigid brace. Initially terrified of paralysis and losing his career, Reyansh felt isolated. Post-surgery, the relief from debilitating pain was immense. With dedicated physiotherapy, he gradually regained strength and posture. A year later, he returned to desk work and light walks. The experience gave him a profound appreciation for his health and resilience.