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 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 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.
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