Spinal injuries can have relatively mild courses or lead to patient disability. Therefore, it is crucial to trust your health only to experienced specialists capable of treating even severe injuries and restoring the patient's previous quality of life.
The doctors at Top Ihilov Clinic apply the widest range of modern methods – from conservative therapy to minimally invasive surgeries for decompression of the spinal canal, restoration of vertebral integrity, and correction of excessive mobility.
Methods of Treating Spinal Fractures in Israel
Even a minor fall or slight injury can lead to a disruption of the spinal structures' integrity. Many of these disruptions do not require surgical treatment, but some can become sources of serious and long-term health problems. Spinal fractures can vary greatly – from painful compression fractures of the vertebrae occurring in patients with osteoporosis to severe injuries associated with multiple fractures and dislocation of the vertebrae, typical of car accidents. The latter often manifest as instability of the vertebrae, leading to disruption of the spinal cord's integrity.
The method of treating a spinal fracture depends on the nature of the injuries sustained. Most fractures occur in the thoracic and lumbar regions (the thoracic and lumbar parts of the spine) and fall into three types – flexion, extension, and rotation. Depending on the nature of the injuries, a fracture may present as unilateral or bilateral disruption of the vertebrae's integrity, as well as their displacement. Flexion-type fractures are associated with bending of the spine in any section, extension-type fractures with stretching, and rotational-type fractures with twisting of the spine.
Flexion Fractures
Flexion fractures usually do not threaten the stability of the spine, do not lead to neurological disturbances, and are associated with compression destruction of the structures of one of the vertebrae due to progressive osteoporosis or falling onto the feet from a great height.
Flexion fractures of the spine at the Top Ihilov center are treated using surgical and conservative methods. Most of these injuries can be successfully treated by wearing an orthopedic corset for an extended period (6-12 months). Gradually increasing the load and performing a set of rehabilitation exercises, the overwhelming majority of patients with this type of fracture successfully recover and avoid surgery.
Surgical treatment of flexion fractures may be required in the presence of multiple injuries, significant reduction in the height of the injured vertebrae, nerve damage, or their compression by intervertebral discs. Surgical treatment of such injuries is performed using spinal canal decompression and stabilization of the spine. The decompression procedure is called laminectomy and involves the removal of the vertebral arch and other bony tissues that exert pressure on the spinal cord. In most European clinics, the operation is performed openly, through an incision in the side or back. In our clinic, surgeons prefer minimally invasive methods and remove the bony structures compressing the spinal cord using endoscopic instruments introduced through a small incision.
Extension Fractures
Extension fractures are associated with the application of force to the spine that displaces the vertebrae in opposite directions, creating a stretching effect. For example, in a head-on collision, when the upper part of the driver's body is thrown forward while the lower part remains in the driver's seat, being secured by seat belts.
Conservative treatment of most extension fractures involves wearing a corset for up to 12 weeks, while surgical treatment is performed if there is damage to the posterior ligaments of the spinal column or intervertebral discs. The operation typically involves stabilization of the spine.
Rotational Fractures
Rotational fractures are relatively rare and represent a disruption of the spinal structures associated with extreme twisting of the spine. If there is also displacement of the vertebrae, this can damage the spinal cord or lead to its compression.
Such types of fractures are usually associated with very strong traumatic effects, create significant instability of the spinal column, and are accompanied by damage to the spinal cord and spinal nerves. In such cases, comprehensive surgical treatment is required, which involves returning the spinal structures to their normal position and decompressing the spinal nerves and spinal canal.
Modern Methods of Treating Spinal Fractures in Israel – Experience of Top Ihilov Specialists
Spinal surgeons at our medical center pay great attention to the implementation of new, highly effective methods for treating spinal fractures. First of all, these methods include minimally invasive endoscopic surgeries and stabilization of the spinal column using various methods of spinal fusion.
Compression fractures of the spine, typical for patients with osteoporosis, are very common in clinical practice. Until recently, the two main methods of treating such injuries were wearing a supportive corset and taking strong analgesics. Today, specialists at our clinic use new techniques that allow restoring the integrity of the vertebra using minimally invasive vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty and increasing the strength of its structures using bone cement that binds the vertebra.
During vertebroplasty, a catheter is inserted through a puncture in the back, through which the injured vertebra is filled with bone cement – a special substance that quickly hardens and restores the structure of the vertebra. Balloon kyphoplasty is generally similar to vertebroplasty, with one exception – before filling the vertebra with bone cement, a balloon is placed in it using a catheter. As it inflates, the balloon spreads the structures of the vertebra apart, making them denser and restoring the original volume of the vertebra. The balloon is then removed, and the remaining cavity is filled with bone cement. Kyphoplasty of one vertebra takes about 30 minutes, and the patient can leave the clinic on the same day after the operation.
Treatment of spinal fractures often requires performing spinal fusion – artificial fixation of damaged and excessively mobile sections of the spine using natural or artificial implants. During spinal fusion, as well as during other spinal surgeries, our specialists prefer to use minimally invasive techniques. Such techniques are much less traumatic for the patient, have minimal risk of complications, and allow for a quicker completion of the rehabilitation course.
Such operations are performed without large incisions – access to the vertebrae is achieved using endoscopic instruments, and stabilization of the spine is monitored using intraoperative X-rays and robotic navigation systems. Our clinic employs the most advanced, particularly robotic systems for minimally invasive spinal surgery, SpineAssist and Renaissance, developed by the Israeli company Mazor. These systems allow for reliable fixation of excessively mobile vertebrae using metal implants without open incisions and minimizing the radiation exposure to the patient. The accuracy of such systems is about 1.5 mm.
Stabilization of the spine in our clinic can also be performed using autografts – the patient's own bone tissues. In this case, the surgeon places bone implants into specially created channels in the vertebrae, removes the intervertebral disc, and fills the space between the vertebrae with the patient's bone tissue. After some time following the operation, the bone implants fuse, and the adjacent vertebrae are reliably fixed – the effectiveness of such an operation in the spinal surgery department of Top Ihilov is about 95%.
- Endoscopic Correction of the Spine
Treatment of Spinal Fractures in Israel – Diagnostic Procedures
In most cases, spinal fractures are easily diagnosed using imaging methods. Examination of patients with such injuries in our clinic takes no more than 3 days. In case of emergency, the diagnostic time can be shortened.
Day One – Arrival at the Clinic
Upon arriving in Israel, the patient meets with a coordinator-translator and travels with them to the clinic for their first consultation with a leading specialist. If the patient is unable to move independently, they are transported by the clinic's special transport. There is also the option to transport the patient from their home country to any of Israel's airports by air ambulance.
Day Two – Full Range of Diagnostic Procedures
On the second day, all types of examinations prescribed by the leading specialist are conducted.
- X-ray of the spine.
- CT and MRI.
- Densitometry.
Various studies may also be conducted to determine the degree of damage to the spinal nerves and spinal cord, identify sensory disturbances in the limbs, etc.
Day Three – Treatment Program Planning
On the third day, the leading specialist, together with a specially formed medical commission, decides which therapeutic measures will be most effective and plans the stages of treatment.
- Computed Tomography
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Ultrasound
Treatment of Spinal Fractures in Israel – Cost
The cost of treating spinal fractures in Israel can vary – it all depends on the nature of the injuries and their causes. However, one of the advantages of Israeli medicine is the affordability of surgical treatment, which fully applies to the treatment of spinal fractures. Surgical operations in Israeli clinics cost 30-50% less than in hospitals in the European Union, Canada, the USA, and Japan.
Advantages of Treating Spinal Fractures at Top Ihilov Center
The best evidence that provides insight into how successfully spinal fracture treatment is conducted in Israel is the reviews of foreign patients who have already benefited from the help of spinal surgeons at our clinic. What do they pay attention to first?
- High level of specialist training. Spinal surgeons and orthopedists working at Top Ihilov center have undergone extensive training at leading medical centers worldwide. Many of them conduct their own research in the field of spinal treatment and implement proprietary surgical techniques.
- High level of clinic equipment with modern technology. Today, spinal surgery cannot be imagined without high-tech solutions.
- Affordable prices and no prepayment attract medical tourists from various, even economically developed countries. The price difference is from 35 to 50% compared to European and American clinics.
- Comfortable rooms and professional medical care are distinguishing features of Israeli medicine even compared to Western European standards.
- International department – we solve all organizational and everyday issues for you.