My spine is fine, thank you
MANILA, Philippines - Did you know that back pain is among the most common reasons for absenteeism in the workplace? Although it can occur suddenly from sprains and strains, as in cases of post-exercise injuries or other accidents, back pain more often develops gradually. Poor posture, obesity, and osteoarthritis are among the most common causes of back pain. And since the experts agree that stabilizing the spine is vital in stabilizing neurologic (or nerve) function, one must heed the warning signs and consult a doctor if back pain spreads to the leg, or is accompanied by numbness, weakness, or a tingling sensation.
Scoliosis or the side-to-side curving of the spine is one commonly-known spine deformity that affects more females than males. Depending on the severity, the condition may manifest through symptoms such as: shoulders are of different heights with one shoulder blade more prominent than the other; appearance of a raised hip; rib cages at different heights and leaning of entire body to one side. Although a brace may prevent progression of the condition, surgery may be indicated when the curving of the spine becomes too pronounced. This is because the lungs may be crowded out, resulting in impaired lung function. For a condition such as this, spinal surgery is a treatment option.
The good news is that patients requiring spinal surgery can avail themselves of the most advanced procedures in the Philippines. Recently, a breakthrough operative course in spinal surgery was hosted by The Medical City, a tertiary care hospital that is accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI), the most prestigious accrediting body for international health care organizations.
Organized by the Asia Pacific Orthopedic Association (APOA) and the Philippine Spine Society (PSS), it was led by a panel of the best spinal surgeons in the Asia Pacific region. The convention dwelt on the latest techniques in spinal surgery used in the treatment of traumatic, degenerative, infectious, neo-plastic spinal ailments, and spinal deformities. As a special feature, the surgical operations were video streamed to allow local and international participants to closely observe the most recent, cutting-edge procedures.“The course is unique because it features live surgery,” says Dr. Antonio Sison, president of the Philippine Spine Society. “Our advocacy is to promote the sub-specialty of spine surgery and we are challenged to provide the best quality orthopedic results. The operative course was aimed at significantly adding to the knowledge and capabilities of participating surgeons.”
Dr. Sison shares that sub-specialization entails intensive training so that from an original roster of 12 members in 1995, the Philippine Spine Society lists 46 members today. The last live spine surgery in the Philippines for teaching purposes in a convention was held 15 years ago.
For the instructional course, 11 Filipino patients were operated on free of charge by the most qualified specialists in the region. Among them were a 13-year-old girl with mild restrictive lung disease because of scoliosis, and a 26-year-old male who was electrocuted, fell from a height of 10 feet and, as a result, suffered paralysis of both lower extremities and numbness of both upper extremities. While the girl is expected to recover fully, surgery should at least enable the male patient to sit up from his current prone position and avoid concomitant complications such as bed sores and pneumonia.
A total of 150 orthopedic specialists from the Philippines, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and India attended the convention. “This is an excellent opportunity for us to showcase our facilities and to demonstrate our medical and technological capabilities in handling complex and spinal surgical procedures,” says Dr. Rafael Claudio, chairman, Department of Orthopedics of The Medical City.
Since orthopedic and spinal procedures done locally would entail a fraction of what they would cost in the United States, the Philippines can be a medical destination for international patients seeking orthopedic or spinal intervention and rehabilitation, notes Dr. Antonio Sison. He adds that the spine convention is noteworthy because, “As an internationally endorsed course, it will once again put the Philippines on the map as a top-notch spinal surgery hub in this part of the world. This will add prestige to the region and to the Philippines, as well as proclaim that the Filipino surgeon is capable of spine surgery techniques performed internationally.”
