We are specialists in spinal disorders and offer the full range of modern conservative and surgical treatments at the Inselspital Back Center. Our focus is on minimally invasive microsurgical procedures. Our top priorities are minimizing tissue damage, ensuring a quick recovery, and providing the highest possible level of safety for our patients.
Spinal disorders and symptoms
Our spine is a true «miracle of movement»: it must be both stable and flexible. However, especially as people age, more and more suffer from back pain.
Occasional discomfort in the back, neck, or shoulders is usually nonspecific and generally harmless. The majority of back pain (about 85%) subsides on its own within days to weeks, despite the often distressing symptoms.
However, if the pain increases, is severe, or persists for an extended period, this may indicate an underlying condition—such as a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or spondylolisthesis. A particular warning sign is when the pain radiates into the arms or legs.
The treatment of occasional back pain without findings requiring surgery is generally standardized and very successful.
Herniated disc
Intervertebral discs act as «shock absorbers» between the vertebrae. Due to aging, wear and tear, or genetic predisposition, their fibrous outer layer can become brittle. As a result, disc tissue may protrude and press outward. Depending on the location of the herniated disc, nerves may become compressed and irritated.
Surgery is rarely necessary. Often, the protruding disc tissue is reduced in size or even completely reabsorbed by the body.
As a standard practice, a herniated disc is initially treated conservatively for up to 12 weeks. In cases of severe pain or signs of paralysis, earlier surgery may be advisable. If bladder or rectal dysfunction occurs, emergency surgery may be required.
If surgery becomes necessary, it is performed as minimally invasive as possible by experienced microsurgeons. Approximately 90% of our patients report a significant long-term improvement in their symptoms.
Spinal stenosis (narrow spinal canal)
Spinal stenosis is the most common reason for lumbar spine surgery in older adults. It is caused by age- and wear-related changes: ligaments and joints thicken and narrow the spinal canal, compressing the nerves.
The procedure is performed using microsurgery and gently creates more space for the spinal nerves. It is now considered the gold standard and has been shown to yield better results than purely conservative therapy. The treatment of spinal stenosis is a key focus of our clinic.
More than 80% of our patients report long-term improvement in their symptoms after surgery. Serious complications are rare (<2%), despite the often advanced age of patients.
Improvement in pain and walking distance is often evident as early as the first day after the procedure. Furthermore, 9 out of 10 patients do not require additional spinal fusion surgery.
Spondylolisthesis (slipped vertebrae)
Spinal slippage, also known as spondylolisthesis, is a condition characterized by instability of the spine. In this condition, one vertebra slips forward over the vertebra below it. The most common cause is age-related wear and tear.
This instability can cause strain-related back pain. At the same time, there is often a narrowing of the spinal canal (spinal stenosis), which can lead to pain or sensory disturbances in the legs.
Back Center Inselspital
In the Back Center of the Inselspital, the spine specialists of neurosurgery, orthopedics, physiotherapy, rheumatology and pain therapy organize the step-by-step and coordinated treatment of our patients. Each specialty takes over exactly that part of the treatment in which the experts have specialized. Our philosophy is: as gentle as possible, as invasive as necessary.