Spine Medicine Center

We have state-of-the-art imaging techniques at our disposal, allowing us to record all the changes that affect your spine, from full-body measurements to functional examinations of your spine. In addition to standard procedures for bone density measurement, X-rays, MRI and CT, we also have expertise in imaging of inflammatory spine changes and back muscles changes.  

We offer an evaluation where we precisely measure and analyze your physical condition, in addition to the effect of your back pain on your day-to-day life. This is an important component of the treatment plan. 

Our spine experts from Pain Therapy and Psychosomatics usually perform a joint evaluation. The aim is to identify the psychosocial factors that influence the treatment of your spine condition. Knowledge of these factors and their consideration in the treatment plan are crucial for the success of the therapy.

The Spine Surgery Clinic at the University Hospital Basel is the only university institution in Switzerland to offer all surgical treatments for the spine in a single clinic. Treatments address degenerative changes (intervertebral disc problems, spinal canal stenosis, spinal slippage), deformities (scoliosis), injuries (fractures, including with spinal cord injuries), tumors (including spinal cord tumors and metastases), bone fractures in osteoporosis and spine inflammations or infections. 

The clinic uses state-of-the-art surgical techniques. In our hybrid operating room, for example, we have robotics, 3D imaging and navigation. Microsurgical and minimally invasive techniques are part of our standard toolbox. 

When necessary, we use special implants and surgical techniques for our tumor patients with osteoporosis. 

Here, we offer our patients all interventional treatment options (infiltrations, including CT-guided), as well as treatment options evaluation using a pain stimulator.

Different therapies are recommended to the patient based on the results of the interdisciplinary evaluation. An example of a recommendation would be a training plan, accompanied by behavioral therapy, medication for pain, and aids such as TENS devices (i.e. devices for electrotherapy via the skin). 

The end result of the evaluation and treatment is discussed in detail with the patient and the treating family doctor. 

Rheumatology and Neurology are mainly regularly involved in the evaluation process. If necessary, Infectious Diseases also gets involved. The focus is to identify concomitant conditions that should or must be addressed through targeted treatment.

Study of the efficacy of an open-label placebo in postoperative pain (OLP-POP study)

We are investigating a new and innovative treatment method for postoperative pain that has been shown to be effective in other pain conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, chronic back pain and acute pain in healthy people. In this treatment approach, a placebo (a dummy drug) is administered, i.e. the people being treated receive a placebo and are also informed that they are receiving a placebo. The objective of this study is to investigate the clinical efficacy of open-label placebo in acute pain in postoperative pain management.

New emergency plan at the University Hospital Basel

We investigate whether patients who get examined and guided by a physiotherapist at the emergency center show a more favorable course of their disease. Can education in the acute phase of treatment improve disease management? Can this lead to a reduced consumption of strong pain medications and a faster reintegration of patients into their working life and everyday life? 

Prehabilitation as part of a spine health transition consultation

We examine whether patients who are in principle eligible for surgery but have certain risk factors can be better prepared for surgery as part of an interdisciplinary evaluation and also show better results after surgery.  

Patients are evaluated jointly by experts from Spinal Surgery, Pain Therapy, Psychosomatics and Physiotherapy. The objectives are: 

• To measure general physical deficits and, if possible, to improve them
• To optimize pain processing 
• To create realistic expectations of the surgical outcome