Do you know the difference between spinal stenosis surgery and a laminectomy procedure? How about spinal fusion and kyphoplasty? Don’t worry, most lay people don’t either. However, each of these procedures can make your life a lot easier, especially if you’ve been diagnosed with arthritis, osteoporosis or an injury in your younger years that is now making itself known loud and clear.

Kyphoplasty is a medical term that describes surgery to create an opening between or expanding the space between vertebrae that have collapsed. Collapsed vertebrae are commonly found in individuals diagnosed with osteoporosis in the spine. Spinal fusion is a method by which the vertebrae of the spine are fused together with screws, rods or even bone grafts. The procedure is used to treat scoliosis and degenerative disc disease. Those diagnosed with a herniated or slipped disc may benefit from a laminectomy. The procedure relieves pressure thereby reducing pain and complications caused by pinched nerves. 

In the United States, kyphoplasty can cost between $2,000 to $14,000 depending on geographic location, surgeon and the degree of severity as well as how many vertebrae are being treated with the surgery.  In the U.S., prices for spinal fusion range anywhere from $50,000- $100,000, while in India costs range from $8,400 – $10,250. In Malaysia, costs are anywhere from $6,700 – $8,250. A lumbar laminectomy in the U.S. may cost approximately $25,000, including operating room and surgeon’s fees.  An individual traveling to India may spend approximately $4,500 on laminectomy while a patient traveling to Thailand will spend approximately $6,000. 

PlacidWay, a leading medical provider, offers medical travelers access and information (and travel packages) to certified surgeons, accredited facilities and excellent patient-centered care for spinal surgery patients around the world.