Spine Surgery in Abu Dhabi, UAE

What is Spine Surgery?

Back pain is a common reason for doctor visits and can result from various conditions, including spinal deformities, infections, trauma, tumors, and degenerative issues like stenosis and herniated discs. In many cases, surgery may be needed to relieve pain, prevent complications, and optimize body function. For the best outcomes, it’s advisable to consult an experienced spine surgery team.

Who needs Spine Surgery?

Spine surgery may be necessary for individuals

• Experiencing severe, constant lower or upper back pain that doesn’t respond to medications
• With progressive numbness and weakness in the arms or legs
• Who have difficulty in walking or grabbing objects
• Experiencing loss of bowel or bladder control associated with leg pain and / or weakness
• With spinal fractures following trauma

If you have any of these symptoms, it’s important to consult a spine surgeon.

Why Choose Spine Surgery at Reem Hospital, Abu Dhabi?

At Reem Hospital, we combine highly skilled doctors with state-of-the-art technology in spine surgery. We are the most experienced endoscopic spine surgery centre and the first in the UAE and the MENA region to offer Augmented Reality navigated spine surgery, ensuring the least invasive procedures while maximizing patient satisfaction.
To know more about endoscopic spine surgeries and AR navigated spine surgery, check out these videos by Dr. Wael.

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Benefits of Spine Surgery

Spine surgery offers several benefits which includes

• Improved mobility
• Enhanced physical fitness
• Restoration of your body functions
• Reduce rigidity and weakness
• Restore bladder and bowel control

Procedures of Spine Surgery

• Discectomy: it’s indicated for disc herniation, also known as a slipped disc, which occurs when the inner material of a spinal disc protrudes. Advancements in techniques like endoscopic microdiscectomy enable less invasive surgeries with smaller incisions, resulting in less postoperative pain and faster recovery times, with the patient being discharged on the same day.
• Disc replacement surgery: It is indicated for advanced disc degeneration that causes severe chronic pain. Recent advancements now allow for disc replacement, which provides effective pain relief while preserving spinal mobility, resulting in high patient satisfaction.
• Spine decompression is indicated for spinal stenosis, which often results from aging and arthritis, causing pain and reduced mobility. New techniques like endoscopic decompression and dynamic stabilization provide effective solutions for cases with instability, promoting quicker recovery and better mobility compared to traditional fusion.
• Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty: Patients with osteoporosis are at risk for spinal fractures, which can be painful and may lead to a hunched spine. Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are procedures that inject bone cement into the fracture site, providing support and pain relief.
• Spine fusion surgery: it is required for severe degeneration or instability when disc replacement isn’t viable. Advanced techniques like AR navigation enable smaller incisions and quicker recovery, with typical hospital stays of 2-3 days followed by a structured rehabilitation plan for a smooth return to daily activities.

How to prepare for Spine Surgery?

• Compile Your Medical History: Gather your medical and family history, including details about the condition. This information will help your doctor understand your health and lifestyle, allowing for more effective treatment.
• Understand the Procedure: Be informed about your surgery, including its risks, benefits, and alternatives.
• Manage Blood Thinners: If you take blood-thinning medication, follow your doctor’s guidance on whether to stop or continue taking it. Know when to stop and when to resume.
• Arrange Transportation: Make sure someone can drive you home after surgery, as anesthesia and pain medications will make it unsafe for you to drive.
• Use Special Soap: Shower or bathe with chlorhexidine soap the night before and the morning of your surgery to reduce bacteria on your skin.

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Spine Surgery Aftercare

While most spine surgeries are now minimally invasive, allowing for same-day or next-day discharge, it’s important to rest and monitor for certain symptoms in the week or two following surgery. Plan to:

• Eat high-fiber and vitamin C-rich foods and drink 6-8 glasses of water daily to prevent constipation caused by pain medications and decreased activity and to aid in wound healing.
• Avoid excessive bending or lifting more than 5 pounds to protect your spine.
• Walk twice a day for 15 – 30 minutes.
• Limit sitting or standing to no more than 30 minutes at a time for the first two weeks to avoid strain.
• Refrain from smoking or using tobacco for at least 3 months, as nicotine significantly impairs wound and bone healing and increases complications.

Contact your spine surgeon urgently if you experience any of the following symptoms during your recovery:

• Bleeding, drainage, redness, or swelling at the incision site may indicate infection.
• Flu-like symptoms such as nausea, body aches, or a temperature over 100 degrees lasting more than 24 hours should be reported.
• Severe headaches with vomiting or light sensitivity could signal a complication.
• Changes in sensation in your arms, hands, legs, or feet (e.g., increased numbness, tingling, or pain) need immediate attention.
• Loss of bladder or bowel control requires urgent consultation.
• Frequent urges to urinate small amounts or feelings of bladder pressure should be checked.
• Pain, swelling, or redness behind your knees or calves may indicate a blood clot—seek emergency care.

Risks of Spine Surgery

• Anesthesia Risks: These issues can arise from reactions to anesthesia and sedation drugs, as well as respiratory problems from mechanical ventilation. It’s important to discuss any potential complications with your anesthesiologist.
• Thrombophlebitis: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can occur post-surgery and may lead to serious complications. Preventing DVT is crucial through movement and medications.
• Lung Problems: Proper lung function is vital after surgery to avoid complications like pneumonia. Follow breathing exercises and get out of bed as soon as possible.
• Infection: Infections are rare but can occur after surgery, requiring immediate attention if symptoms arise. Prompt treatment is essential for both superficial and deeper infections.
• Hardware Fracture: Metal hardware used in spinal surgeries can sometimes break or shift. This may require a second surgery to address the issue.
• Implant Migration: Implant migration can occur if the device moves from its original position. If this happens, your surgeon may need to perform additional surgery.
• Spinal Cord Injury: Surgery on the spine carries a risk of spinal cord injury, which can lead to nerve damage and paralysis. Discuss this risk with your surgeon.
• Persistent Pain: Some surgeries may not fully alleviate pain or may even worsen it.
• Sexual Dysfunction: Damage to spinal nerves can result in sexual dysfunction. Be aware of this risk and discuss it with your spine surgeon.

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