Flying halfway around the world to Vietnam for treatment of spinal stenosis
A Canadian woman who was nearly unable to walk due to spinal stenosis was successfully treated at FV Hospital and returned home to Canada one month after surgery
In 1985, M.C., a 49-year-old resident of Canada, underwent surgery for scoliosis. In the following year, she began experiencing severe back pain that radiated to her right leg, making it difficult for her to walk even short distances. After consulting multiple major hospitals in Canada and the United States, doctors diagnosed her with L4-L5 spondylolisthesis, causing spinal stenosis and nerve root compression.
Her case was complicated due to her previous spinal fixation system still being in place. Doctors explained the significant risks associated with removing and replacing the entire system, which led to M.C.'s hesitation. Undeterred, she decided to travel to Vietnam and seek treatment at FV Hospital. Upon examination, Dr. Tran Luong Anh, a specialist in Neuro-Surgery and Spine Surgery, determined that the bone had healed and covered almost the entire plate-and-screw system.
Removing it would have been extremely risky, as the screws were deeply embedded and leaving no space for new screw placement. A nerve block was performed, and although pain relief lasted only a month, surgery was deemed the best option to preserve her mobility. The FV team devised a novel approach: retaining the existing plate-and-screw system and adding a new fixation system to the lower section, minimizing tissue damage.
To achieve this, specialized connecting components from overseas were ordered, as they were not readily available domestically. The surgery was performed using a navigation system, allowing the surgeons to visualize and track the trajectory of surgical instruments with millimetre precision. After nearly four hours of surgery, the doctors successfully placed four new screws, replaced the artificial disc at the L4-L5 level, and decompressed the compressed nerve root.
After a week-long hospital stay and physical therapy, the patient recovered well and returned to Canada. Experts emphasize the importance of not ignoring persistent back pain, radiating pain, or difficulty walking and standing, as these symptoms may indicate serious conditions like spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, or nerve compression.
Early diagnosis and timely treatment at reputable healthcare facilities are crucial in protecting mobility and quality of life.
Written by urgent.news from Vietnam Investment Review's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
