Professor Ilya Pekarskyleading orthopedist
In many international classifications, scoliosis is considered to be a curvature of the spine greater than 10 degrees to one side (although in the Russian classification, the 1st degree of scoliosis is diagnosed with a deformation angle from 1° to 10°). The deformation is often present in all three coordinate axes with varying degrees of severity, with curvature in one direction prevailing.
Specialists at the Top Ihilov Medical Center use the latest approaches for correcting this type of spinal deformity, based on the application of both effective conservative methods and minimally invasive surgical operations.
Spinal Treatment at Top Ihilov
Treatment of Spinal Scoliosis in Israel – Main Methods
Orthopedists and spinal surgeons at our clinic frequently encounter adolescent idiopathic scoliosis – a curvature of the spine of unclear etiology, observed in children aged 10 to 16 years. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is dangerous because it can progress. The degree of curvature tends to worsen, which can lead to respiratory function disorders, back pain, heart function disturbances, and limited mobility of the patient.
In addition to idiopathic scoliosis, which accounts for about 80% of all cases of spinal curvature, there are also scolioses caused by some primary disease (congenital deformities, neuromuscular pathologies, tumours, etc.). Regardless of whether the doctor can identify the cause of the deformation or not, scoliosis is classified by the localization and degree of curvature of the spine. Lumbar, thoracic, and thoracolumbar scoliosis are distinguished based on the location of the deformation in the lumbar, thoracic region, or in the area transitioning from the lumbar to the thoracic region. Based on the severity of the deformation, scoliosis is divided into several degrees, with treatment usually required in cases of 2nd degree scoliosis (deformation angle 11°-25°), 3rd and 4th degrees (deformation angle, respectively, 26°-50° and more than 50°).
- Treatment of scoliosis at Top Ihilov involves conservative therapy and surgical operations. 2nd degree scoliosis is successfully treated using gymnastics exercises based on the Schroth method. This system was developed by German specialist Katharina Schroth and includes a set of breathing exercises, isometric exercises, and exercises for spinal bending. Katharina herself suffered from scoliosis for a long time, wore a metal corset, and once decided to develop her own method for correcting spinal deformities. Today, her system has been supplemented with new exercises and is widely used to correct mild scoliosis in many clinics around the world. At Top Ihilov Hospital, exercises are tailored individually for each patient to ensure maximum therapeutic effect. Their execution allows for improved posture, relief from pain, and normalization of respiratory function.
- Another conservative method for treating scoliosis is the use of corsets. Wearing a corset is indicated for patients with 2nd-3rd degree scoliosis. Modern corsets are made from polymer materials and may have metal ribs for rigidity. The corset is created individually for the patient, taking into account their anatomical features and the specifics of the spinal deformation. At Top Ihilov Clinic, various types of corsets are used for correcting spinal curvature – Boston corsets and Milwaukee corsets, Charleston and SpineCor corsets, Sheno and Krass-Sheno orthoses. Some types of corsets are specifically designed for treating adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and are more flexible, while others are more rigid and aimed at correcting scoliosis in adults. Typically, effective correction requires wearing the corset for most of the day (20 hours or more), although today there are also corsets that can be worn for only 12-16 hours.
If conservative treatment is ineffective, and the curvature of the spine continues to progress or the deformation angle exceeds 45-50 degrees, a surgical operation is performed. This involves spinal fusion – the fusion of adjacent vertebrae. The surgeon corrects the deformation and returns the vertebrae to their physiologically correct position, fixing them with special metal constructs attached to the spine. These constructs consist of a system of steel rods and bridges, connected to each other and to the spine with screws. Usually, alongside the implantation of such a system, one or more intervertebral discs are removed. The freed space is filled with bone cement, allowing the vertebrae to fuse together after the operation, ensuring correct posture. The only drawback of this method of treating scoliosis is that the vertebrae are fixed in this position permanently, leading to some loss of mobility in the back.
In many clinics around the world, spinal fusion surgeries are performed using an open method, where all manipulations for correcting the spine are carried out through a large incision made along the midline of the back or on the side of the patient. Such operations are quite traumatic and require prolonged rehabilitation. At Top Ihilov Center, such surgical interventions are performed using minimally invasive techniques and robotic equipment, which not only significantly reduces the traumatic impact on the patient but also shortens the time required for postoperative recovery.
Medical Procedures
- Treatment of scoliosis by Spinal Fusion method
Diagnosis of Scoliosis at Our Clinic
Examination of patients who come to the clinic with complaints of spinal curvature takes from 3 to 4 days.
First Day – Meeting with the Curator and Leading Specialist
Upon arriving in Israel, the patient meets with a curator at the airport, who will act as a guide, translator (including translating medical documentation), and coordinator of the entire treatment and diagnostic process. On the same day, together with the curator, the patient goes to the clinic, where they meet with the leading specialist and undergo a primary examination. The specialist assigns the necessary diagnostic procedures.
Second Day – Examination
The second day is entirely dedicated to diagnostic procedures. These may include various types of studies.
- X-ray. By studying the images of the spine created in two projections, the doctor determines the location of the deformation and its severity. At the same time, the main indicator characterizing the degree of spinal curvature – the Cobb angle – is calculated.
- Computed tomography – a more detailed study of the condition of the spine. CT is several dozen times more informative than a regular X-ray and allows for the study of vertebral deformation in a three-dimensional coordinate system.
- Magnetic resonance imaging – an even more informative method of visualizing the internal structures of the spine, which favorably differs from CT and X-ray in that it does not expose the patient to radiation (which is especially important when diagnosing patients with idiopathic scoliosis, most of whom are children).
- EOS diagnostics – a unique method for complete examination of the spinal column using low-dose tomography. The EOS system allows for the creation of the most accurate computer model of the patient's spine, comprehensively assessing the deformation of the spinal column while using extremely low doses of X-ray radiation (many times lower than with traditional X-rays or CT). The Top Ihilov Clinic is the only medical center in Israel equipped with such a diagnostic complex.
Third Day – Choosing the Optimal Treatment Method
On the third day, the leading specialist gathers a medical council. The doctors study the results of the patient's diagnostics and select the most effective treatment program for scoliosis. The program may include either one type of treatment or be comprehensive (for example, spinal fusion surgery followed by wearing a corset).
Treatment of Spinal Scoliosis in Israel – Prices
The cost of treating spinal scoliosis in Israel differs significantly from treatment in European or American clinics. Prices for medical services provided by Israeli hospitals are traditionally 20-50% lower than in hospitals in Germany, the UK, Sweden, Canada, the USA, and other countries.
To learn all about the cost of procedures and how scoliosis treatment is conducted at our clinic, you can contact our consultants, who will call you back immediately after you leave a request on the website.
Advantages of the Top Ihilov Clinic
Treatment of spinal scoliosis in Israel receives reviews that reflect both the state of Israeli medicine as a whole and the specifics of spinal deformity therapy in individual clinics. Patients of the Top Ihilov Center often send letters to the clinic's address, thanking the orthopedists and surgeons of our hospital and highly appreciating the quality of the treatment received.
- The doctors at the Top Ihilov Center have extensive clinical experience in treating scoliosis in both children and adult patients. Many of our orthopedists are world-class specialists, authors of their own methods for correcting spinal curvature, and conduct scientific research in this area.
- The Top Ihilov Center is equipped with the most modern and high-precision diagnostic and therapeutic equipment – tomographs, robotic systems for performing minimally invasive surgeries, etc. The latest, effective, reliable, and, most importantly, safe medical equipment is one of the important components of success in treating scoliosis.
- A patient admitted for treatment at our clinic receives a personalized therapy program and is surrounded by the attention of international department staff. No slightest change in the patient's health or mood escapes our specialists; we strive to create an atmosphere of home comfort in the clinic to make the treatment process as comfortable as possible.