Dubai: The Dubai Health Authority’s (DHA) Rashid hospital successfully treated 40 patients suffering from herniated cervical discs using a device used for the first time in the UAE.
Dr Abdulla Qassim, Consultant and Head of Neurosurgery at Rashid Hospital said that the device called self-locking Cervical Spine Cage, is used in surgeries to treat patients who suffer from herniated cervical discs more accurately and with less post-surgery recovery time.
Dr Qassim explained that herniated the discs between vertebrae contain a gel-like substance in the center of them. The outer part of a disc is made up of fibrous cartilage that keeps the gel contained. When the fibrous cartilage tears or splits, the gel can poke out, causing the disc to become herniated.
He said that this results in the discs putting pressure on the nerves and spine.
“The patients came to the hospital with severe pain in the neck and hands due to herniated cervical spine, which can be diagnosed by an MRI and by analyzing the symptoms of the patient,” said Dr Qassim.
He said to relieve the pain and treat this permanent condition, Rashid Hospital adopted the self-locking Cervical Spine Cage, which is made of a material called Polyether ether ketone (PEEK), which is often used in implants.
“To treat the patients, we conduct a minimally invasive surgery where a 3cm incision is made in the neck to remove the herniated disc in the cervical spine and replace it with the cage. What’s unique about these cages is that they offer excellent fixation without the use of any screws. The use of these cages have helped cut operation time in half, it decreases x-ray exposure, reduces post-surgery recovery time and studies have also found them to be more effective,” he said.
He added that the patients notice an immediate result after the surgery.
“The patients are usually discharged after one day from the surgery. They will have to rest for two weeks after it. After that they will should undergo light physiotherapy. ”
Dr Qassim concluded by highlighting that the DHA constantly strives to adopt the latest technology and devices to ensure the delivery of high quality treatment services for the people of Dubai.
For further information, please contact:
Kamakshi Gupta and Noor Nazzal
Communications Analysts- Media Dept.
Dubai Health Authority
klgupta@dha.gov.ae nnnazzal@dha.gov.ae
+9714 2197455
About the Dubai Health Authority:
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) was created, in June 2007, by Law 13 issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, with an expanded vision to include strategic oversight for the complete health sector in Dubai and enhance private sector engagement.
Prior to the establishment of the DHA, the Department of Health and Medical Services, which was established in 1973, was the functioning authority that almost exclusively focused on health service delivery.
In May 2018, H.H Sheikh Mohammed, issued Law No. (6) of 2018 of the DHA. The new Law further enables the DHA to achieve its objectives including regulating medical services in Dubai, enhancing competiveness and transparency, improving medical services and products based on international best practices and achieving the sector’s objectives according to approved strategic plans.
H.H Sheikh Mohammed also issued Decree No. 17 of 2018 establishing subsidiaries of the DHA: the Dubai Healthcare Corporation and Dubai Health Insurance Corporation to further enhance healthcare services in Dubai and enable DHA to fulfil its responsibilities and obligations.
Three new strategic sectors were also added as part of the decree; they include Strategy and Corporate Development, Health Regulation, and Shared Support Services.
In addition to overseeing the health sector for the Emirate of Dubai, the DHA also focuses on providing services through DHA healthcare facilities including Latifa, Dubai, Rashid and Hatta Hospitals, its 12 primary healthcare centres, 17 medical fitness centres and its 6 specialty centres.
For more information, visit DHA’s website: www.dha.gov.ae
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