Addressing the Increase in Spinal Disorders Associated with Population Aging and the Growing Demand for High Complexity Surgeries Including Spinal Deformity and Spinal Cancer

Establishing a Patient Centered Treatment Process with Seamless Integration from Diagnostic Evaluation to Postoperative Rehabilitation

▲ Medical staff pose for a commemorative photo at the opening ceremony of the Spine Center held on January 26 at the Auditorium of the East Building of Asan Medical Center

Asan Medical Center has opened a Spine Center that brings together seven clinical departments in a multidisciplinary collaboration to address the growing incidence of degenerative spinal disorders associated with population aging, as well as the rising demand for highly complex surgeries for severe spinal conditions including osteoporotic fractures, spinal deformities, and spinal cancer.

On January 26, Asan Medical Center held an opening ceremony for the Spine Center at the Auditorium of the East Building and officially launched its multidisciplinary team based approach to the treatment of spinal disorders.

The Asan Medical Center Spine Center has established an integrated collaborative care system involving seven clinical departments. Led by the Department of Neurosurgery and the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, the center works in close coordination with the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, the Department of Radiology, the Department of Neurology, and the Division of Rheumatology to deliver comprehensive multidisciplinary care.

As Korea enters a super-aged society, the number of patients with spinal disorders is rising rapidly. According to the National Health Insurance Service, general spinal surgery ranked second among the most frequently performed surgeries nationwide in 2023. It also accounted for the highest proportion of total medical expenditures among major surgical procedures, underscoring its growing social and clinical significance.

In addition to degenerative spinal disorders, the number of patients with complex spinal conditions such as severe spinal stenosis, osteoporotic fractures, advanced spinal deformities, and spinal cancer continues to increase.

For these severe spinal conditions, postoperative quality of life is as important as achieving a surgical cure. Accordingly, in addition to highly complex multidisciplinary surgery, patients require individualized treatment strategies encompassing rehabilitation, chemotherapy, and comprehensive pain management.

The Asan Medical Center Spine Center plans to implement a multidisciplinary approach to effectively treat a wide spectrum of complex spinal disorders, including severe conditions that are often difficult to manage at general hospitals. The center will provide prompt and precise diagnostic evaluations and apply specialized treatment protocols tailored to each patient.

Most patients with spinal disorders experience uncertainty when neck or lower back pain first develops, particularly regarding which department to visit and whether surgery is necessary. Until now, spinal conditions have often been managed separately across different departments, resulting in duplicated consultations and diagnostic tests from the patient perspective.

The Asan Medical Center Spine Center will streamline the entire continuum of care, from the initial visit and diagnostic evaluation to treatment and rehabilitation, creating a seamlessly integrated process that significantly enhances patient accessibility and convenience. Through a more efficient treatment pathway, common spinal disorders will be managed promptly with nonsurgical therapies such as medication, injections, and rehabilitation, while clinical resources will be concentrated on severe cases requiring surgical intervention.

To further improve surgical safety and precision, the center plans to actively adopt evolving spinal surgical techniques, including minimally invasive and robotic procedures. It will also expand the use of advanced technologies such as navigation systems and artificial intelligence based predictive platforms to enhance clinical outcomes.

In research and education, the center aims to establish itself as a leading hub for clinical research in spinal disorders. Through regular multidisciplinary conferences, complex patient cases will be reviewed collaboratively, and a comprehensive research database will be developed to advance evidence based care and innovation in spine treatment.

▲ Director Sang Ryong Jeon of the Asan Medical Center Spine Center and Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery examines a patient with a spinal disorder.

Director Sang Ryong Jeon of the Asan Medical Center Spine Center and Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery, stated, “The launch of the Asan Medical Center Spine Center reflects our commitment to proactively respond to the steady rise in patients with spinal disorders, the growing demand for highly complex treatments, and the increasing need for advanced spinal surgery. We hope that patients with diverse and complex spinal conditions will receive individualized care through our multidisciplinary system and ultimately regain their health.”