🇰🇷 Is South Korea Becoming a Spine Surgery Republic? 🇺🇸
What about your country—are we trading our backs for convenience?
In recent years, South Korea has seen a shocking rise in spinal surgeries. While cancer and hypertension are still the most feared illnesses, a surprising third place in public concern goes to herniated discs and spinal problems. But are surgeries always the answer?
Many spine specialists now argue that surgery should be the last resort, not the first. Yet in Korea, even young patients are increasingly persuaded to go under the knife after being told that “it’s a simple procedure”—only to regret it for life.
Take Mr. Song, a 54-year-old transformer factory owner, who had his first spine surgery at age 26 after an accident. The pain came back. And so began a long journey of five surgeries, each offering only temporary relief. Today, he warns others:
“Don’t rush into surgery. The pain after surgery is a whole new pain.”
He’s not alone. Mr. Kim, who injured his back lifting a box of beer, ended up undergoing a second surgery after the first one failed. The results? Worse than before.
Why the Explosion in Surgeries?
Between 2002 and 2004, spinal surgeries in South Korea rose by 61%, while the number of spinal patients increased by just 27.4%. That’s a major red flag. Experts say only 2–10% of spinal patients worldwide should require surgery. So why are surgeries skyrocketing?
One answer lies in medical economics.
New surgical technologies and tools are constantly introduced and aggressively marketed. Hospitals—especially in wealthier districts like Gangnam—compete by acquiring high-tech surgical devices. And to cover these costs, they recommend more surgeries.
Some hospitals in Seoul now perform up to 15% of the country’s total spinal surgeries. One institution alone accounted for 10% of all surgeries nationwide over a 3-year span.
These hospitals aren’t necessarily “evil.” They simply operate in a system where surgeries generate more revenue, especially when using non-reimbursed new technologies (i.e., not covered by national health insurance).
But Who Pays the Price?
Patients do.
From failed surgeries, nerve damage, and infections to irreversible lower-body paralysis, the real cost is not money—it’s quality of life.
Ms. Moon, a 30-year-old who had spinal laser surgery, found herself unable to feel her hips and legs post-operation. A botched anesthetic application led to long-term nerve damage.
Mr. Kim, age 73, developed complete lower-body paralysis after a seemingly minor spinal cement procedure.
Consumer protection groups in Korea now report a growing number of spinal surgery complaints—especially around ineffective results, recurrence of pain, and unapproved experimental treatments.
Are Patients Informed, or Just Pushed?
There’s a disturbing pattern. Patients aren’t just choosing surgery—they’re often guided into it with phrases like:
“It’s a quick fix.”
“Why suffer when you can walk again tomorrow?”
But they’re rarely told:
It might not work.
You may end up worse.
Recovery could take years—or never happen.
In response, a group of concerned Korean doctors formed the “Spine Forum”, a coalition fighting back against overtreatment. They advocate for evidence-based, conservative treatments first—like physical therapy, pain management, and proper rest—before surgery is even considered.
So, What About Your Country?
South Korea is just one example, but the question goes far beyond its borders.
Are we becoming too reliant on surgery for problems that might be solved with time and proper care?
Are hospitals pushing surgery not because it’s best—but because it’s profitable?
Is your health system truly patient-centered, or profit-driven?