How Much Does Herniated Disc Surgery Cost

How Much Does Herniated Disc Surgery Cost is an article that aims to give you all the information you do not know about the cost of herniated disc surgery. We kindly shared the main headings with you;

A person’s spine consists of individual bones named vertebrae, and an intervertebral cartilage disc sits between the vertebrae. These discs are there in order to support the spine and reduce the amount of shock between the vertebrae. A healthy individual has 23 discs in their spine, and each of the disc has three components, namely nucleus pulposus, annulus fibrosis, and cartilaginous endplates.

The annulus fibrosis, which surrounds the nucleus pulposus, is ruptured in a herniated disc. When annulus fibrosis is ruptured, the nucleus pulposus starts to push through into the spinal canal. Moreover, the herniated stuff can cause pressure on a nerve leading to pain and ineffectiveness during movement.

A herniated disc can be seen in any location along the spine. However, it is most common to find herniated disc in the lumbar spine, which corresponds to the lower back, and the cervical spine, which corresponds to the neck area.

Every patient tends to experience unique symptoms even if they have herniated disc at the same place. This is because every person has different pain thresholds and reactions to pain. Also, symptoms depend on the location of the herniated disc. However, there are some common symptoms seen among patients, such as:

• Pain and numbness on one side of the body
• Feeling pain while walking
• Pain that gets worse while sitting
• Tingling in the hip and legs
• Weakness in the legs

If you are experiencing the above symptoms, please see a doctor in order to be able to eliminate the symptoms and avoid future problems.

A herniated disc can be due to lifting something wrong or a sudden spine twist. Being overweight and degeneration because of disease or aging can also cause herniated disc.

Although most of the time herniated disc does not require surgery, some patients need surgery because the herniated disc presses against a nerve in the spinal column. This pressure can cause pain, numbness, or weakness. If the pressure can not be relieved by treatments such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and physiotherapy, surgery may be needed. Also, in some cases, herniated disc may put pressure on the nerve controlling the bladder and bowel. In those cases, surgery is required to relieve that pressure so that the bladder and bowel can continue to function normally.

The herniated disc surgery usually takes about 30 to 60 minutes to complete.

If you have any pain in your spine, please see a qualified orthopedic or neurosurgical surgeon. During your examination, your doctor may ask for X-ray, CT scan, MRI, and/or an EMG.

An X-ray will enable your doctor to see your vertebrae and joints.

A CT scan will give a more detailed image of the spinal canal and nearby structures.

An MRI will result in a 3-D image of the spinal cord, nerve roots, and discs.

An EMG, electromyography, will measure electrical impulses of the nerves and muscles.

With these imaging tests, the best surgery type will be chosen by your doctor. Other than these, your age, medical health, and the location of the herniated disc will give your doctor an idea about the best surgery type for you.

After a doctor’s examination, the doctor will most probably tell the patient not to eat and drink for a certain amount of time before surgery. Also, if the patient uses blood-thinning medications, the doctor may adjust the amount before surgery.

There is nothing to worry about during herniated disc surgery because it is performed under general anesthesia.

After a herniated disc surgery, the patient will be transferred to a room where a healthcare team will assist them in order to prevent any complications. Patients can experience stiffness after the surgery, which is expected. Your doctor will give you some instructions to follow. Some patients may need physical therapy after herniated disc surgery. Every patient’s recovery is unique and depends on factors such as:

• Type of the surgery
• Details of the surgery
• Whether there were any complications during the surgery
• General health status.

Below you can find different types of surgical interventions for a herniated disc:

Laminotomy/laminectomy

The spinal cord is covered by a part of the vertebrae called the lamina. In laminotomy, part of the lamina is removed, whereas, in laminectomy, the whole lamina is removed. In both laminotomy and laminectomy, a small incision is made down the center of the back or neck of the herniated disc. After the lamina removal, a discectomy is performed to remove the herniated disc.

Laminotomy and laminectomy can be lumbar or cervical. A lumbar procedure aims to relieve leg pain, whereas a cervical procedure aims to relieve neck pain and pain in the upper limbs.

Spinal fusion

Spinal fusion may be performed after a laminotomy or laminectomy in order to stabilize the spine. Spinal fusion is performed under general anesthesia. It involves a permanent fusion of two or more vertebrae. This can be achieved via bone grafts from other body parts or from a donor. Metal or plastic screws may also be used for additional support of the spine. The location of the herniated disc will decide on the necessity for the spinal fusion and usually, lumbar laminotomies require a spinal fusion. Patients generally stay at the hospital for several days after a spinal fusion procedure.

Artificial disc surgery

Artifical disc surgery is also performed under general anesthesia. It is preferred when the problem is in the lower back and used for a single disc. Artificial disc surgery is an alternative to a spinal fusion procedure. It replaces the damaged disc with an artificial one. Artifical disc surgery is not used for arthritis or osteoporosis or when more than one disc is involved. During artificial disc surgery, an incision is made in the abdomen, and the disc is replaced with an artificial disc which is made from plastic or metal.

Discectomy/microdiscectomy

Discectomy is the most used surgery type for a herniated disc in the lumbar area. In a discectomy, the portion of the disc that causes the pressure on the nerve root is removed. The entire disc may also be removed depending on the case. A discectomy involves a large incision, and it removes the entire disc. On the other hand, a more advanced technique is used in microdiscectomy in which a very small incision is made. In addition, microdiscectomy is much more faster, and it immediately relieves the pain.

There are three techniques used in microdiscectomy.

1. A vertical one to two-inch incision is made in the back during a midline microdiscectomy. The surrounding muscles of the vertebrae are lifted, and some instruments are used to hold the layers apart during the surgery.
2. A number of small tubes are inserted through the small incision in a tubular microdiscectomy in order to create a canal through the muscle. This causes minimal disruption to the tissue.
3. Lastly, an even smaller incision is made in endoscopic microdiscectomy. A really small camera is employed to cause even less disruption to the surrounding tissue.

Like any other surgery, there are some risks in a herniated disc surgery too. These may involve:

• Bleeding
• Infections
• Tearing of the spine’s protective lining
• Nerve injury
• Spinal fluid leakage
• Blood vessel injury in and around the spine

Also, if the disc is not removed, it may cause further problems for other discs.

Suppose the herniated disc surgery is done in an early stage. In that case, the patient will recover earlier compared to a later-stage herniated disc patient. Usually, a patient can return home 24 hours after the operation. It is recommended that patients avoid driving, sitting for extended period of time, lifting heavy weights, and bending for the first four weeks. The doctor may recommend some beneficial exercises to the patient. Some patients may also require rehabilitation therapy after herniated disc surgery.

Generally, patients can return to work after two to four weeks after the operation. If the patient’s job involved excessive movement of the back, they may need to wait 12 weeks before doing so. Full recovery will take between six to twelve weeks, depending on the type of surgery. To learn how much the herniated disc surgery cost, please keep reading.

Please try to do the below things to prevent any future problems.

• Maintain a healthy weight
• Use proper lifting techniques while lifting objects
• Try to strengthen your abdominal and back muscles with regular exercise so that they can support your spine.

If you have a herniated disc, you should limit your activity for two to three days in order to reduce inflammation at the nerve site. Suppose there is a pinched nerve in the neck or leg area. In that case, you can try nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and physical therapy under a doctor’s watch. After trying these treatment options, if you still have pain, selective nerve root blocking treatment may be suggested by your doctor. Selective nerve root blocking treatment involves injections to the spinal cord that will locally numb the herniated disc area.

Generally, the success rate of a herniated disc surgery is high. The same or different type of surgery may be recommended by your doctor if you have one or more herniated discs.

A herniated disc surgery is a neurological procedure that is needed to be conducted by a highly experienced orthopedic surgeon. Turkey has several hospitals offering highly specialized neurosurgery. Every year, many patients who suffer from nerve root compression come to Turkey because Turkey is known for high-quality medicine for affordable prices compared to Europe and the United States.

The cost of herniated disc surgery in Turkey starts from 5,500$. This cost is very affordable when compared to the costs in other countries. Below you can find a cost table.

Czechia	12.000 USD
Greece	10.000 USD
Hungary	7.000 USD
Poland	7.300 USD
Singapore	20.000 USD
South Korea	13.000 USD
Spain	11.000 USD
Thailand	9.000 USD
United Kingdom	20.500 USD

As you can see from the above cost table, Turkey is the most affordable country for herniated disc surgery. You can be sure that you will be very pleased with your surgery results. Other than the surgery, Turkey has a rich history. You can also experience Turkish culture through a variety of museums, restaurants, and local shops. Other than Turkish history, Turkey is a very safe country that will offer you a variety of other stuff like VIP transfer to your hotel from the airport, accommodation, and post-surgery doctor visits. Below you can use the cost calculator to find out the cost of your treatment in Turkey.