Dr. Ehud ShalmonSenior physician of the spinal pathology department
Israeli orthopedic surgeons professionally address a wide range of tasks related to the diagnosis and treatment of patients with musculoskeletal disorders and injuries. In the country's clinics, doctors perform joint arthroplasty, treat scoliosis, spinal fractures, etc., using conventional and minimally invasive interventions.
At the Top Ihilov center, before referring a patient for surgery, doctors conduct a comprehensive examination — modern high-precision medical imaging methods are used for this purpose. Then, a surgical treatment plan is tailored for the patient that corresponds to their individual clinical picture and allows them to return home in the shortest possible time.
Interview with Famous Orthopedic Surgeon: Dr. Ron Arbel
Current Methods
Any orthopedic surgery department in Israel is equipped with modern radiological equipment that allows visualization of abnormal bone or cartilage structures and selection of the appropriate type of surgical treatment. Among the many techniques used in their daily practice, Israeli surgeons can highlight several types of surgical interventions that are particularly popular with foreign patients.
Arthroplasty
Arthroplasty is a surgery aimed at changing the surface and structures of a joint, intended to alleviate chronic pain syndrome and restore mobility. Such surgeries are often performed to restore the joint surface damaged due to arthritis or mechanical injuries. New joint surfaces can be formed in various ways — artificial materials or the patient's own tissues can be used as spacers, and damaged tissues may be removed. In some cases, osteotomy is performed — a surgical alteration of the length of one of the long bones of the limb. This allows for the alignment of the relative positioning of the joints of the right and left limbs.
Arthroscopy
Arthroscopic surgeries are performed using a minimally invasive method — a large incision is not required, and all necessary instruments are introduced through several small ports (punctures in the skin). Through one of these ports, a narrow metal tube equipped with a camera — an arthroscope — is inserted into the joint. The arthroscope can be equipped with an instrumental channel, through which the surgeon, using microsurgical instruments, performs the necessary manipulations with the joint tissues.
Using arthroscopic methods, Israeli specialists successfully treat osteoarthritis, meniscus and ligament tears, anatomical anomalies of the hip joint, nerve compression, rotator cuff injuries, shoulder dislocation, wrist fractures, intervertebral hernias, spinal deformities, and many other conditions.
Joint Replacement
In cases where joint reconstruction using minimally invasive techniques is not feasible, doctors partially or completely replace it with artificial implants. Partial replacement involves implanting an artificial prosthesis only on one part of the joint. Total replacement involves implanting a prosthesis that is an exact mechanical copy of the joint. Most commonly, large joints — shoulder, knee, hip — are replaced. Modern models of joint prostheses are made from materials that have increased strength and durability (metal alloys, polymers). After some time following implantation, the metal parts of the joint embedded in the bone tissue fuse with it to form a single unit.
After joint replacement, patients undergo a course of rehabilitation activities aimed at fully restoring mobility and movement in the joint. This includes various types of physical therapy, exercises on special equipment, massage, etc.
Spinal Surgery
The main conditions that Israeli specialists in orthopedic spinal surgery encounter are scoliosis and intervertebral hernias.
Spinal curvature is treated using spinal fusion. The patient undergoes a minimally invasive surgery to install a metal prosthesis that connects adjacent vertebrae. Modern models of such prostheses are miniature in size and are attached to the vertebrae using only a few screws. Most patients can leave the clinic on the same day as the surgery. Intervertebral hernias are also treated using minimally invasive surgery. Through a small incision, the doctor removes herniated tissue and relieves compression on the nerve roots, resulting in the chronic pain syndrome disappearing.
Modern Diagnostics
Orthopedic surgery in Israel is based on accurate diagnostics. First and foremost, this includes modern types of X-ray and tomography. Using computed and magnetic resonance tomography, the doctor can thoroughly examine the internal bone and cartilage structures. During minimally invasive interventions, intraoperative X-ray or tomography allows for more careful monitoring of the surgical process.
Innovative models of radiological diagnostic equipment minimize radiation exposure to the patient. For instance, major Israeli clinics have X-ray machines that allow detailed images of large body segments (for example, the upper or lower half of the torso) to be taken while significantly reducing the radiation dose to the patient compared to traditional X-ray diagnostic methods. Such systems are often used in diagnosing scoliosis in children.
Cost of Orthopedic Surgeries in Israel
The cost of musculoskeletal surgery in Israel is significantly lower than in the United States or Western European countries. Generally, in an Israeli clinic, you can save at least 30-45% of your budget.
- Joint ankylosis
- Knee joint treatment
Advantages of Israeli Hospitals
- Highly qualified specialists work in medical centers in Israel. Many of them are well-known abroad. Typically, an average orthopedic surgeon has more than ten years of clinical practice. Israeli doctors are often seen at specialized international conferences, and their research is published in major medical journals.
- After contacting the clinic, the patient is referred for a comprehensive examination. Using high-precision medical imaging methods (X-ray, tomography, etc.), doctors clarify the diagnosis and select the most promising types of treatment.
- In Israel, you will find the widest range of effective surgical methods — procedures for arthroplasty, arthroscopy, and joint replacement are performed here. Doctors use surgical methods to treat many conditions, from joint injuries to spinal diseases.
- Patients in Israeli clinics benefit from the assistance of a personally assigned coordinator — an employee responsible for coordinating doctors, translating medical documentation, and assisting with any other issues (even organizing excursions). The atmosphere in the room is calm and comfortable, and the medical staff is responsive and polite.