Best Discectomy Clinics in Spain

Indications for discectomy in Spain

The main indication for the removal of the intervertebral disc in the country's clinics is a hernia. Neurologists are the first to start treating this pathology: specialists, using conservative methods (taking medications and physiotherapy), try to reduce the severity of symptoms. If therapy does not bring results, a discectomy operation is prescribed.

Removal of the disc is also carried out with:

• large hernias;
• loss of sensitivity in the limbs;
• disorders of the urinary system;
• compression of the nerve roots of the spinal cord, etc.

How is discectomy performed in Spain?

If the location and size of the hernia allow, spinal surgeons in the country perform minimally invasive operations. The following types of intervertebral disc removal are available in Spain:

Microsurgical discectomy

During the operation, the entrapment of the nerves is eliminated through a small incision of only 3 cm (with an open intervention, the access is 10 cm). In clinics in Spain, the procedure is carried out using operating microscopes. For example, the Ruber International Hospital is equipped with a Zeiss apparatus, which magnifies the image tenfold to control every movement of the surgeon. Thus, sensitive tissues near the spine are less injured, and the risk of neurological damage is reduced to zero.

Endoscopic discectomy

Endoscopic discectomy is the treatment of a vertebral hernia using a probe and micro-instruments, which are inserted through several 1 cm punctures. This technique partially removes the disc and small hernias. In Spain, this type of spinal surgery is also performed using robotic surgery. For example, Teknon Clinic has a robotic-assisted system that is used to treat hernias. First, the machine reads the results of CT or MRI and plans the intervention based on them. Spanish spinal surgeons also prefer this method for the ability to track their manipulations so as not to damage the nerves or blood vessels.

The capabilities of medical centers in the country allow combining several surgical procedures. For example, in the centers of spinal surgery in Spain, decompression discectomy is combined with laminectomy, laminotomy, foraminotomy, etc. Thus, patients who, in addition to disc herniation, also have narrowing of the spinal canal and osteophytes of the spine, receive comprehensive assistance. These disorders cause pinching of the spinal cord and, as a result, neurological problems (paresis or paralysis, etc.).

Experience and qualifications of spinal surgeons in Spain

Discectomy, as well as other spinal surgeries, require not only appropriate equipment but also the experience and qualifications of a doctor. In Spain, some high-level specialists have been dealing with the treatment of spinal pathologies for more than a decade, introducing modern methods into their work, and adopting the experience of colleagues from other centers.

Discectomy experts in Spain include the doctor at the Quironsalud Clinic in Barcelona, Dr. Pablo Clavel. For more than 15 years he has been treating complex disc hernias, removing osteophytes, etc. Most often, he operates on hernias in the lumbar and cervical spine, uses microsurgical techniques.

Discectomy: rehabilitation in Spain

In the centers of spinal surgery in the country, in addition to surgical treatment, they also deal with the recovery of patients after the removal of the intervertebral disc. For example, based on the clinic of Catalonia, there is a rehabilitation department. It has everything you need to improve the quality of life of patients who have neurological consequences as a result of hernia.