HMC performs 417 surgical procedures to treat spinal injuries since 2022

Surgeons at the Bone and Joint Centre at Hamad Medical Corporation ( HMC) have performed 417 surgical procedures to treat spinal injuries or deformities from the beginning of 2022 until mid September 2023, using the latest therapeutic techniques and medical devices.
Dr Alaa Zaqout, spine surgery consultant at Bone and Joint Centre, said: "There were 100 surgical procedures for spinal fracture fixation, 233 for cervical spine conditions, including 65 vertebral fixation surgeries, in addition to 38 for the thoracic and lumbar spine, and 43 for correcting spinal deformities along with three surgical procedures for cases of spinal cancer."
Dr Mohamed al-Ateeq al-Dosari, senior consultant and head, Orthopaedic Surgery Department, and director of the Bone and Joint Centre said that the centre performs various types of surgical procedures using advanced surgical techniques, which offer many advantages and positive results in treating patients.
Dr Zaqout said the success rates match global standards and meet the highest quality and safety criteria. These surgeries included scoliosis correction for children before puberty without affecting spinal growth using magnetic devices.
Dr Zaqout noted: "We have performed surgeries for patients who previously had surgeries abroad, and it is known that surgical intervention on a previously operated spine injury is technically challenging due to scarring and adhesions, which increase the surgical complications. We recently performed a specialised surgery that involved the complete removal of a vertebra and spinal fixation."
He said that individuals at risk of spinal injuries are drivers, and most cervical and lumbar disc degeneration cases are related to lack of physical activity, weight gain, and poor neck posture, especially in front of computers and mobile phones.
He noted that HMC is preparing to launch a joint programme with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education to raise awareness and conduct early detection of spinal injuries. This programme aims to provide better treatment opportunities and reduce disability rates based on data from at least 500 patients with spinal deformities in Qatar.
Dr Zaqout said that these surgeries were previously performed by visiting doctors, or patients were sent abroad for treatment. “However, today, they are conducted at Hamad Medical Corporation as part of a systematic scientific advancement of medical teams, continuous training, and missions for medical staff, along with the enhancement of medical capabilities and the provision of state-of-the-art equipment,” he added.