Advanced Spinal Stenosis Treatment in Germany
Spinal stenosis is a condition where the spinal canal or intervertebral foramen narrow, which can put pressure on the nerves that travel through the spine. It commonly occurs in the lower back and the neck.
Diagnosis typically involves a physical examination and imaging tests such as MRI or CT scans to assess the extent of the narrowing and its impact on surrounding structures.
Treatment options include conservative methods like physical therapy, pain management, and anti-inflammatory medications. Surgical options, such as laminectomy and minimally invasive spine surgery, are available for severe cases.
No, surgery is not always required. Many cases of spinal stenosis can be managed with conservative treatments. Surgery is typically considered when conservative methods fail to relieve symptoms.
Recovery time varies, but patients generally stay in the hospital for a few days and can return to non-physical work within a few weeks. Full recovery, including physical activities, may take several months.
Spinal stenosis is narrowing of the spinal column cavity, which is formed by the arches of the vertebrae (spinal cord location). This is a common pathology which mainly occurs among elderly people. Stenosis of different degrees is diagnosed among 4% of patients over 50. 20% of people over 60 also suffer from this disease, while 67% of them don’t have any symptoms, but 33% of patients notice the considerable decrease in the quality of their lives due to the neurological symptoms.
The Booking Health portal presents 72 German clinics specializing in spinal stenosis treatment
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Diagnostics of Spinal stenosis
MRI is the most informative method of spinal stenosis diagnostics, but among its disadvantages are its high cost and low availability (not every clinic has the necessary equipment). As an alternative, the myelography (X-rays) or CT scan is used.
Electromyography is also performed as an additional method of the examination. It allows doctor to estimate the speed of impulses passing through the nerves, obtain data on the state of the lumbar plexus, and each individual nerve root of the spinal cord.
Best clinics for the spinal stenosis diagnostics in Germany:
Treatment of Spinal stenosis
Spinal stenosis, often caused by degeneration or arthritis in the lumbar spine or cervical spine, can be managed through a combination of pain management techniques and physical therapy, with more severe cases potentially requiring spinal surgery. In Germany, specialists offer a range of treatment options, from conservative approaches to minimally invasive surgery and fusion surgery, tailoring the treatment plan to each patient's specific condition and needs.
Conservative therapeutic measures are aimed at the improvement of the patient’s quality of life. The complex tactics that are used include the following aspects:
- Lifestyle modification
- Weight loss
- Exercise therapy
- Massage
- Physiotherapy
- Medicamentous analgesic therapy
- In case of the intensive pain syndrome, a doctor prescribes the blockade with the local anesthetics and glucocorticoids
Progression of symptoms, ineffectiveness of conservative therapy and a poor patient’s quality of life are indications for the surgical intervention.
Depending on the cause and the type of the spinal stenosis, the following surgeries are performed:
- Surgical decompression. The fragments of the spine that compress the nerve roots are removed. These may be the spinous processes, the arcs of the vertebrae, intervertebral joints, and yellow ligament.
- Stabilizing operations. Usually they complement the surgical decompression in order to avoid spinal instability after surgery (it occurs in 25% of patients). The dynamic systems of interspinous fixation are implanted. With their help, the vertebrae are firmly bonded one to each other and the spine retains its mobility.
Best clinics for the spinal stenosis treatment in Germany:
Charite University Hospital Berlin
16411.3
22605.2
Hospital Neuwerk Moenchengladbach
11318.5110318.51
15005.6913505.69
16172.8814672.88
Catholic Clinic Koblenz-Montabaur
11546.26
15522.7
Rehabilitation after treatment of Spinal stenosis
The most modern rehabilitation programs are used in Germany. They are adapted individually for each patient, and are based on the disease stage, age, physical possibilities, and the results of treatment. Different specialists such as: therapists, neurologists, psychologists, rehabilitators, kinesiotherapists, physiotherapists are involved in the rehabilitation process.
The following methods of rehabilitation are used:
- Dosed physical activity
- Training on the simulators and in the pool
- Individual orthoses
- Physiotherapy
- Acupuncture
- Manual therapy
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation
- Natural factors of the nature (mud, thermal waters, etc.)
- Individual or group therapy with a psychologist
Rehabilitation may include medicamentous support. It is necessary to hold a consultation with the patient about the proper nutrition and the way of life which is important for him in the current situation.
Rehabilitation programs in Germany are designed for 2 weeks. If necessary, they can last much longer. In this country, the patient is provided with qualitative care, accommodation in comfortable rooms and individually selected meals.
Rehabilitation programs in Germany show one of the best results in the world. Most patients successfully restore their working capacity and excellent health there. They remain physically active, return to the full social and family life.
Best clinics for neurological rehabilitation in Germany:
Author:
The article was edited by medical expert, board certified Dr. Nadezhda Ivanisova. For the treatment of the conditions referred to in the article you must consult a doctor; the information in the article is not intended for self-medication!
Sources:
National Spine Health Foundation
The cost of services includes
Here you can find the cost of treatment for this disease at the German University Hospitals. Leave a request and we will provide a free consultation with a doctor and will start organizing the whole treatment process.
The program includes the following:
- Issuing of an invitation for getting a visa for treatment as quick as possible
- Fixing an appointment at a time convenient for you
- Preliminary organization of a comprehensive examination and discussion of the forthcoming treatment plan
- Arranging transfer from the airport to the hospital and back to the airport
- Provision of interpreting services and services of a personal medical coordinator
- If necessary, assistance in the organization of further surgical treatment
- Provision of a medical insurance against treatment complications covering up to 200,000 euro
- Preparation and translation of medical records and recommendations from the hospital
- Assistance in the subsequent communication with your attending physician, including consultations on repeated X-ray images through the unique medical document management system E-doc
