Innovative Advances in Spine and Joint Treatment in Korea
Exploring Advanced Minimally Invasive Techniques at Wooridul Spine Hospital Daegu
- Wooridul Spine Hospital Daegu
- minimally invasive techniques
- endoscopic treatment
- disc degeneration
- spinal stenosis
안훈영 기자
As we age, even the spine and joints—once taken for granted as strong and reliable-undergo degenerative changes. Fortunately, advancements in medical science have led to the development of diverse and innovative treatment methods for spine and joint disorders. Korea, in particular, has quickly adopted these cutting-edge technologies and is now at the forefront of treating international patients. This special feature takes a closer look at the rapidly evolving clinical field through the lens of Korea’s leading spine and joint hospitals.<Editor’s Note>
■ Table of Contents
① Various Treatment Methods for Spine and Joint Disorders
② Himchan Hospital
③ Nanoori Hospital Gangnam
④ Wooridul Spine Hospital Daegu
Wooridul Spine Hospital Daegu offers personalized treatment for degenerative spinal disorders such as herniated discs and spinal stenosis, grounded in its strong philosophy of minimal incision and root-cause treatment, and supported by advanced minimally invasive techniques.
Disc degeneration, caused by internal deterioration and aging of the disc, was traditionally treated with injection therapy, spinal fusion using screws, or artificial disc replacement. However, these methods often required general anesthesia and large incisions, leading to significant concerns about side effects and complications.
Fortunately, disc degeneration can now be treated with non-surgical methods such as hybrid radiofrequency therapy. This procedure involves accurately identifying the affected disc and treating it using pulsed radiofrequency energy. Compared to conventional radiofrequency treatments, it offers greater safety, minimizes damage to surrounding nerves, and can be performed under local anesthesia in about 10 minutes, allowing patients to return home the same day.Wooridul Spine Hospital Daegu brings new vitality to regional healthcare by helping patients quickly return to their daily lives through its extensive clinical experience and expertise with this procedure.
Customized endoscopic treatment is another key strength of Wooridul Spine Hospital Daegu. The hospital has advanced a variety of endoscopic surgical techniques—including transforaminal endoscopy, uniportal endoscopy, and biportal endoscopy—to provide personalized treatment tailored to each patient’s symptoms and the location of the lesion.
Endoscopic spine treatment is an advanced technique that preserves healthy tissue as much as possible without the need for general anesthesia or blood transfusion. Since it does not involve cutting bone or removing the disc, recovery is faster, making it a safe option even for elderly patients or those with diabetes, heart disease, or osteoporosis.In particular, biportal endoscopic decompression allows for precise and stable surgery using both hands, making it highly effective for a range of spinal conditions such as spinal stenosis, foraminal stenosis, herniated discs, and calcified disc disorders.
Recently, minimally invasive spinal fusion using endoscopy has also been developed, demonstrating excellent treatment outcomes for conditions such as spondylolisthesis, severe disc herniation, and advanced spinal stenosis.
Dr. Chan Hong Park, Director of Wooridul Spine Hospital Daegu, stated, “We are continuously working to advance treatment techniques not only in endoscopic surgery but also to address conditions once considered untreatable.” He added, “In particular, we are further developing ligament reconstruction techniques without the use of screws—applied to cases such as multilevel stenosis or spondylolisthesis—to shorten surgery time, hospitalization, and recovery periods, enabling patients to return to their daily lives more quickly.”
