Many people across the world with back
problems are considering travelling to Israel
for minimally invasive spinal surgery, attracted
by the affordability of the procedure there and
the high standards of healthcare. A top
destination in the ever-growing medical
tourism business, Israel is a particularly
appealing option for patients who want the
reassurance that their high-tech lumbar
surgery is in the hands of neurosurgeons
renowned for their expertise in this complex
procedure.
Minimally invasive back surgery is a relatively
new development that has revolutionized
treatment of spinal issues, having many
advantages for the patient over traditional
open surgery techniques. With open surgery, a
long incision is made to enable access to the
problem area, while minimally invasive spine
surgery (MISS) entails strategically-placed
smaller skin openings, typically just 2cms to
3cms long, avoiding major damage to soft
tissue surrounding the spine. In most cases,
MISS results in reduced blood loss, less pain
after surgery and a faster recovery, with the
added benefit of minimal scarring.
Minimally invasive back surgery techniques
have been used in Israel for common
procedures like decompression (relieving
pressure on nerves) and spinal fusion
(correcting vertebrae problems) since the
1990s, but are now being employed across a
wider range of lumbar operations.
The minimally invasive approach, which
requires only a low level of anaesthesia,
involves the use of endoscopic equipment,
including a miniature video camera, that
allows the surgeon to see inside the patient’s
back, allowing a better view than the open
procedure.
Procedures that are minimally invasive provide
a highly-effective option for patients in cases
where non-surgical treatment, such as
physiotherapy and medications, has failed to
relieve the misery of chronic back problems.
According to the World Health Organization’s
(WHO) Global Burden of Disease (GBD)
studies, pain in the lower back is the single
leading cause of disability worldwide.
Why is Medical Tourism so Popular?
Contrary to general perceptions, medical
tourism (MT) is nothing new. Ancient Greeks
travelled to the sanctuary of the healing god,
Asklepios, a small territory in the Saronic Gulf
called Epidauria, which is regarded as the
origin of medical tourism as we know it.
Health tourism has seen a boom in recent
years and is no longer focused on people from
less-developed countries seeking treatments
unavailable in their homeland, but on patient
mobility as people in richer countries look to
take advantage of health services abroad that
are cheaper without compromising on quality.
Besides affordability, this shift has been
fuelled by the availability of inexpensive flights
and an increased awareness of the range of
treatments on offer in different countries.
The number of people seeking affordable,
high-quality healthcare who are travelling
abroad for treatment is rising every year, and
the concept of global healthcare is particularly
being embraced by people who cannot afford
health insurance or who have limited
coverage.
The World Health Organization in 2016 ranked
Israel as the third most popular medical
tourist destination, below the United Kingdom
and Canada.
Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery Expertise in
Israel
Many health tourists often remain in the
country of their choice to enjoy a vacation
after their procedure, which makes Israel –
with its host of landmark attractions steeped
in history, including the Masada fortress, the
city of Caesarea and the Dome of the Rock –
an attractive proposition for people seeking
minimally invasive spinal surgery, because the
relatively short post-operative recovery period
allows time for sightseeing aplenty, with
hospitalization after the operation typically
being just a few days.
Herzliya Medical Center (HMC), a private
hospital in Israel, is at the forefront of
providing minimally invasive spinal surgery for
patients from abroad. It boasts state-of-the-
art surgical equipment backed by the
expertise of a team of highly-skilled
neurosurgeons with extensive experience in
complex spinal procedures. HMC specializes
in a range of minimally invasive lumbar
procedures including correction of structural
deterioration and deformities of the spinal
column, removal of the herniated part of a
slipped disc, decompression of the spinal cord
in the case of tumours, and stabilization of
vertebral compression fractures.
If you are suffering with back problems and
are considering travelling to Israel for
minimally invasive spinal surgery, Herzliya
Medical Center can advise you on whether you
are a suitable candidate for this type of
procedure.
