Seoul hospital offers cutting-edge spine treatments

PROLONGED use of computers or mobile phones in the same posture presents health concerns, in particular intervertebral disc. 

 

In China alone, there are an estimated 40 million intervertebral disc patients, equivalent to 3% of the entire population. Data from the National Health Statistics show these patients range from teens to over 80 years old, with about 80% them being in their 20s to 40s. People working in the IT industry represent 44.9% of 100 million cervical disc patients in China.

 

Young Soo Kim, honorary president of Asia Pacific Spinal Neurosurgery Society (APSNS) and current executive director of World Spine Society, heads the Kim Young Soo Spine & Joint Hospital

 

Intervertebral disc problems trigger pain in the lower back or one leg. The pain can extend to both legs if the nerves are consistently pressed. Severe cases lead to numbness in the ankles and toes, or worst, paralysis.  Patients showing symptoms undergo X-ray or MRI examination to confirm the condition and receive treatment. 

 

The Kim Young Soo Spine & Joint Hospital in Seoul performs a variety of nonsurgical treatment to relieve lumbar disc herniation.  It offers a one-stop service covering medical checkup and diagnosis to treatment, all of which can be completed in three days. To cater to overseas visitors, it has translation and airport pick-up services. Its medical teams can communicate in English as well. 

 

The hospital offers epidural neuroplasty for mild spinal stenosis accompanied by intervertebral disc. The procedure, which incurs minimal tissue damage and ensures fast recovery, involves placing a special 1.7mm catheter into the spinal canal to inject drug into the pain-causing disc. 

 

Meanwhile, high frequency vertebral pulp decompression is suitable for patients suffering from intervertebral disc, herniated cervical disc, spinal stenosis, and mild degenerative disc diseases. It involves the use of a radioactive imaging device.