Spondylolisthesis Surgery Treatment in Turkey
About Spondylolisthesis Surgery
Key Highlights
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Directly addresses the root cause of nerve compression and spinal instability.Can provide significant and long-lasting relief from chronic back and leg pain.Aims to restore spinal alignment and prevent further slippage of the vertebrae.Improves neurological function, potentially alleviating numbness, tingling, or weakness.Enhances overall mobility and quality of life, enabling a return to daily activities.
Who is this surgery for?
- Severe, disabling pain in the lower back and legs (sciatica) that does not improve with 3-6 months of non-surgical treatment.
- Progressive neurological deficits, such as worsening leg weakness, numbness, or loss of bowel/bladder control (cauda equina syndrome).li>
- Visible progression of the vertebral slippage (instability) on sequential X-rays.
- Spondylolisthesis causing significant spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal).
- High-grade slippage (Grade III or IV) where the vertebra has moved more than 50% over the one below it.
How to prepare
- Complete a thorough medical evaluation, including blood tests, ECG, and imaging studies (X-rays, MRI, CT scan).
- Discuss all current medications with your surgeon; you may need to stop blood thinners (e.g., aspirin, warfarin) several days prior.
- Cease smoking, as it significantly impairs bone healing and increases surgical risks.
- Arrange for help at home for the initial weeks of recovery, including transportation and daily chores.
- Follow pre-operative fasting instructions (typically no food or drink after midnight before surgery).
Risks & possible complications
- General surgical risks: Infection, bleeding, blood clots (DVT/PE), and adverse reactions to anesthesia.
- Nerve injury, which could lead to persistent pain, weakness, numbness, or, rarely, paralysis.
- Failure of the bone to fuse properly (pseudarthrosis), potentially requiring revision surgery.
- Damage to adjacent structures, such as blood vessels or organs.
- Hardware-related issues: Implant breakage, loosening, or discomfort.
- Adjacent segment disease, where spinal levels above or below the fusion degenerate faster.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Hospital Stay: Typically 3-5 days for monitoring, pain management, and initial mobilization with physical therapy.
- Initial Weeks: Activity is restricted; no bending, twisting, or lifting heavy objects (more than 5-10 lbs). A back brace may be prescribed for support.
- Physical Therapy: A structured program usually begins 6-12 weeks post-surgery to rebuild core strength, flexibility, and proper movement patterns.
- Return to Work: Desk jobs may be resumed in 4-6 weeks; physically demanding jobs may require 3-6 months or more.
- Long-term: Full fusion and maximum benefit can take 6-12 months. Follow-up X-rays are needed to monitor healing.
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Typical hospital stay:
3-5 days
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Expected recovery time:
6-12 months for full recovery and fusion
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering spondylolisthesis surgery in Turkey, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for spondylolisthesis surgery 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 spondylolisthesis surgery. 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 spondylolisthesis surgery compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for Spondylolisthesis Surgery in Turkey
These partner hospitals in Turkey have dedicated spine surgery teams and experience managing patients undergoing spondylolisthesis surgery.
Istanbul, Turkey
140 Doctors
Robert Verma, a 58-year-old accountant, had...
Robert Verma, a 58-year-old accountant, had always been active, but persistent lower back pain began to dominate his life. For two years, he managed with painkillers and physiotherapy, but the pain started radiating down his left leg, causing numbness and weakness. He could no longer sit through a full workday or enjoy weekend walks with his wife. An MRI revealed a Grade 2 spondylolisthesis at L4-L5, where a vertebra had slipped forward, compressing a nerve root. His spine surgeon, Dr. Sharma, explained that conservative measures had been exhausted and recommended a spinal fusion surgery to stabilize the segment and decompress the nerve. Robert was terrified of spine surgery but felt he was losing his independence. The procedure, a minimally invasive TLIF, went smoothly. The initial recovery in the hospital was challenging, but the sciatic leg pain was gone. Over six months of dedicated physiotherapy, his core strength returned. A year later, Robert is back at work full-time and can garden and travel with his wife again. Emotionally, he moved from a place of fear and frustration to immense gratitude for regaining his active life, though he remains cautiously mindful of his back.