Professor Ilya Pekarskyleading orthopedic surgeon
In many international classifications, scoliosis is considered to be a curvature of the spine greater than 10 degrees to one side (although in the Russian classification, the first degree of scoliosis is diagnosed with a deformation angle from 1° to 10°). The deformation is often present in all three axes of coordinates with varying degrees of severity, with curvature in one direction predominating.
Specialists at the Ichilov (Sourasky) Medical Center use the latest approaches to correct this type of spinal deformity, based on the application of both effective conservative methods and minimally invasive surgical operations.
Spine Treatment at Ichilov (Sourasky)
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Scoliosis Treatment in Israel – Main Methods
Orthopedists and spinal surgeons at our clinic frequently encounter adolescent idiopathic scoliosis – a curvature of the spine of unclear etiology observed in children aged 10 to 16 years. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is dangerous because it can progress. The degree of curvature tends to worsen, which can lead to respiratory function disorders, back pain, heart function disturbances, and limited mobility of the patient.
In addition to idiopathic scoliosis, which accounts for about 80% of all cases of spinal curvature, there are also scolioses caused by some primary disease (congenital deformities, neuromuscular pathologies, tumors, etc.). Regardless of whether the doctor can identify the cause of the deformation or not, scoliosis is classified by the localization and degree of curvature of the spine. Lumbar, thoracic, and thoracolumbar scoliosis are distinguished based on the location of the deformation in the lumbar, thoracic region, or in the transition zone from the lumbar to the thoracic region. Scoliosis is divided into several degrees based on the severity of the deformation; treatment is usually required in cases of grade 2 scoliosis (deformation angle 11°-25°), grades 3 and 4 (deformation angle, respectively, 26°-50° and more than 50°).
- Treatment of scoliosis at Ichilov (Sourasky) involves conservative therapy and surgical operations. Grade 2 scoliosis is successfully treated using gymnastics exercises based on the Schroth method. This system was developed by German specialist Katharina Schroth and includes a set of breathing exercises, isometric exercises, and exercises for spinal bending. Katharina herself suffered from scoliosis for a long time, wore a metal corset, and once decided to develop her own method for correcting spinal deformities. Today, her system has been supplemented with new exercises and is widely used to correct mild scoliosis in many clinics worldwide. At Ichilov (Sourasky), exercises are tailored individually for each patient to ensure maximum therapeutic effect. Their execution improves posture, alleviates pain, and normalizes respiratory function.
- Another conservative method for treating scoliosis is the use of braces. Wearing a brace is indicated for patients with grades 2-3 scoliosis. Modern braces are made from polymer materials and may have metal reinforcements. The brace is created individually for the patient, taking into account their anatomical features and the specifics of the spinal deformation. At Ichilov (Sourasky), various types of braces are used for correcting spinal curvature – Boston braces and Milwaukee braces, Charleston braces and SpineCor, as well as Sheno and Krass-Sheno orthoses. Some types of braces are specifically designed for treating adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and are more flexible, while others are more rigid and aimed at correcting scoliosis in adults. Typically, effective correction requires wearing the brace for most of the day (20 hours or more), although there are also braces that can be worn for only 12-16 hours.
If conservative treatment is ineffective, and the spinal curvature continues to progress or the deformation angle exceeds 45-50 degrees, surgical intervention is performed. This involves spinal fusion – the joining of adjacent vertebrae together. The surgeon corrects the deformation and returns the vertebrae to a physiologically correct position, fixing them with special metal constructs attached to the spine. These constructs consist of a system of steel rods and bridges connected to each other and to the spine with screws. Usually, alongside the implantation of such a system, one or more intervertebral discs are removed. The freed space is filled with bone cement, allowing the vertebrae to fuse together after the operation, ensuring correct posture. The only drawback of this method of treating scoliosis is that the vertebrae are fixed in this position permanently, leading to some loss of mobility in the back.
In many clinics worldwide, spinal fusion surgeries are performed using an open method, where all manipulations for correcting the spine are carried out through a large incision made along the midline of the back or on the side of the patient. Such surgeries are quite traumatic and require long rehabilitation. At Ichilov (Sourasky), such surgical interventions are performed using minimally invasive techniques and robotic equipment, significantly reducing the traumatic impact on the patient and shortening the time required for postoperative recovery.
Medical Procedures
- Scoliosis treatment using Spinal Fusion method
Scoliosis Diagnosis at Our Clinic
Examination of patients who come to the clinic with complaints of spinal curvature takes from 3 to 4 days.
First Day – Meeting with the Coordinator and Leading Specialist
Upon arriving in Israel, the patient meets the coordinator at the airport, who will act as a guide, translator (including translating medical documentation), and coordinator of the entire treatment and diagnostic process. On the same day, together with the coordinator, the patient goes to the clinic, where they meet the leading specialist and undergo an initial examination. The specialist prescribes the necessary diagnostic procedures.
Second Day – Examination
The second day is entirely dedicated to diagnostic procedures. These may include various types of studies.
- X-ray. By studying the images of the spine created in two projections, the doctor determines the location of the deformation and its severity. At the same time, the main indicator characterizing the degree of spinal curvature – the Cobb angle – is calculated.
- Computed tomography – a more detailed study of the condition of the spine. CT is several dozen times more informative than a regular X-ray and allows for the study of vertebral deformation in a three-dimensional coordinate system.
- Magnetic resonance imaging – an even more informative method of visualizing the internal structures of the spine, which favorably differs from CT and X-ray in that it does not expose the patient to radiation (which is especially important when diagnosing patients with idiopathic scoliosis, most of whom are children).
- EOS diagnostics – a unique method for a complete examination of the spinal column using low-dose tomography. The EOS system allows for the creation of the most accurate computer model of the patient's spine, comprehensively assessing the deformation of the spinal column while using extremely low doses of X-ray radiation (many times lower than traditional X-ray or CT). The Ichilov (Sourasky) clinic is the only medical center in Israel equipped with such a diagnostic complex.
Third Day – Choosing the Optimal Treatment Method
On the third day, the leading specialist gathers a medical council. The doctors study the results of the patient's diagnostics and select the most effective treatment program for scoliosis. The program may include either a single type of treatment or be comprehensive (for example, spinal fusion surgery followed by wearing a brace).
Scoliosis Treatment in Israel – Prices
The cost of scoliosis treatment in Israel differs significantly from treatment in European or American clinics. Prices for medical services provided by Israeli hospitals are traditionally 20-50% lower than in hospitals in Germany, the UK, Sweden, Canada, the USA, and other countries.
To learn all about the cost of procedures and how scoliosis treatment is conducted at our clinic, you can contact our consultants, who will call you immediately after you leave a request on the website.
Advantages of the Ichilov (Sourasky) Clinic
Scoliosis treatment in Israel receives reviews that reflect both the state of Israeli medicine as a whole and the specifics of spinal deformity therapy in individual clinics. Patients at the Ichilov (Sourasky) center often send letters to the clinic expressing gratitude to the orthopedic surgeons of our hospital and highly evaluating the quality of treatment received.
- The doctors at the Ichilov (Sourasky) center have extensive clinical experience in treating scoliosis in both children and adult patients. Many of our orthopedic surgeons are world-class specialists, authors of their own methods for correcting spinal curvature, and conduct scientific research in this area.
- The Ichilov (Sourasky) center is equipped with the most modern and high-precision diagnostic and therapeutic equipment – tomographs, robotic systems for performing minimally invasive surgeries, etc. The latest, effective, reliable, and most importantly, safe medical equipment is one of the important components of success in treating scoliosis.
- A patient entering treatment at our clinic receives a personalized therapy program and is surrounded by the attention of international department staff. Our specialists do not overlook even the slightest changes in the patient's health or mood; we strive to create a home-like atmosphere in the clinic to make the treatment process as comfortable as possible.