Consultation with an orthopaedist in Wooridul Spine Hospital

Wooridul Hospital was established in 1982. It consists of two specialized departments: a spine treatment center and a rehabilitation center.

The hospital is located in the Gangnam district, central Seoul. It is 60 km from Incheon International Airport and 22 km from Gimpo International Airport.

Advantages of Wooridul Hospital in South Korea

• Accurate diagnosis. Doctors at the hospital use a five-step diagnostic system that ensures precise patient diagnosis and effective treatment planning.
• Specialized focus and experienced doctors. The medical team at Wooridul specializes in spine treatment. On average, doctors have over 30 years of practice in their fields. They are also authors of more than 320 articles published in the SCI journal and 25 medical textbooks released in Germany, the UK, and the UAE.
• Support for international patients. The hospital's international patient center provides assistance in multiple languages, including Russian. Coordinators help patients navigate diagnostics and treatment and organize complimentary airport-to-hospital transfers for inpatients.

Wooridul Hospital has been listed among the best medical centers for international patients four times by the Medical Tourism Association (MTQUA). The ranking includes clinics that provide maximum comfort for foreign patients, ensuring clear communication and no language barriers throughout the treatment process.

Ranked among the top 30 most advanced hospitals

Wooridul in Seoul is ranked among the top 30 hospitals with the most advanced technologies, as per the international association “Top Master’s Programs in Healthcare.” This list also includes leading U.S. hospitals such as Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins Hospital, and Cleveland Clinic.

Spine Treatment Center

Accurate diagnostics using a five-step method

To ensure precise diagnoses, Wooridul’s doctors follow a five-step diagnostic approach. If the initial step does not determine the cause of the disease, they proceed to the next until the correct diagnosis is established.

1. Medical history and X-rays. Diagnostic accuracy: 50%.
2. MRI to examine soft tissues, intervertebral discs, and nerve endings. Accuracy: 60%.
3. CT scan for detailed imaging of the vertebrae. Accuracy: 70%.
4. Myelography for a detailed examination of the spinal cord. Accuracy: 80%.
5. Spinal nerve function tests, including six instrumental evaluations. Accuracy: over 90%.

Comprehensive spine treatments: conservative and surgical

The hospital specializes in treating various spinal conditions and injuries, including:

• Herniated discs in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions;
• Spinal fractures;
• Spinal cord tumors;
• Spondylolisthesis (vertebrae displacement);
• Ossification of the ligamentum flavum;
• Scoliosis.

Doctors in the Gangnam branch of Wooridul use an eight-step treatment method. They begin with medication and non-surgical therapies. If there is no improvement, minimally invasive or open surgical procedures are performed.

Stages of spine treatment:

1. Conservative treatment and spinal injections (blocks). This includes medication, physiotherapy, therapeutic exercises, and spinal injections.
2. Minimally invasive laser treatment through small incisions to "evaporate" herniated discs using laser energy.
3. Endoscopic surgeries performed through incisions of up to 1 cm without skin cuts. These procedures use thin instruments and mini-cameras for precise, tissue-preserving operations. Most patients are discharged the next day.
4. Minimally invasive spinal decompression to relieve pressure on the spinal canal through a 2-2.5 cm incision under X-ray guidance.
5. Dynamic spinal stabilization using special implants to support the spine in its correct position. These implants are made of biocompatible materials, preventing allergies or rejection.
6. Minimally invasive spinal fusion through a micro-incision of up to 4 cm. This procedure enables faster recovery with minimal pain compared to traditional surgeries, reducing recovery time to three days versus 30 days.
7. Minimally invasive correction of spinal deformities using stabilization systems through small incisions.
8. Radical spinal deformity correction through open surgery.

Rehabilitation Center

Wooridul Hospital's Gangnam branch features a dedicated spine and joint rehabilitation center. Patients undergo comprehensive rehabilitation programs before or after surgery.

The goal of rehabilitation is to restore motor functions in affected areas and prevent future recurrences of the condition.

Services for International Patients at Wooridul Hospital

Medical Tourism Center

Since 2006, Wooridul has operated a center for international patients. Coordinators assist patients during consultations, diagnostics, treatments, and physiotherapy. Russian-speaking coordinators are available for added convenience.

Accommodation

Patients can stay in single or double rooms. Companions are allowed to stay in the same room (a sofa bed is provided), and no additional charges apply for companion stays.

Airport transfers

The international patient center organizes transfers to and from the hospital. For inpatients, the transfers are complimentary.