Wooridul Spine Hospital

Wooridul Spine Hospital is a globally recognized specialized spine care institution and the world's first hospital dedicated exclusively to spinal disorders, located in Seoul. Founded in 1982, founded by Dr. Chun-Kun Chung, the hospital has pioneered numerous minimally invasive spine surgery techniques adopted by spine surgeons worldwide, performing over 300,000 spine procedures. With 200 beds and a comprehensive range of medical specialties, Wooridul Spine Hospital is one of the highest-volume spine surgery centers in the world, treating patients from over 40 countries with a singular focus on spinal health. The hospital holds JCI accreditation, confirming adherence to the highest international standards of patient safety, clinical quality, and healthcare governance. These accreditations are renewed through rigorous periodic audits evaluating infection control protocols, medication management, clinical outcomes, and patient rights. The hospital consistently ranks among the top medical institutions in South Korea. Spine Surgery is Wooridul's core specialty, offering the most comprehensive range of spinal procedures at any single institution globally. Minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) is the hallmark, with techniques including percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD), percutaneous endoscopic cervical discectomy (PECD), microscopic decompression surgery, and minimally invasive tubular retractor surgery. These techniques result in smaller incisions (typically 5-8mm), less tissue trauma, minimal blood loss, shorter hospital stays (often 1-2 days), and faster recovery. For stabilization, the hospital performs minimally invasive spinal fusion, motion-preserving artificial disc replacement, and hybrid procedures. Orthopedic services complement the spine program, with expertise in joint conditions that coexist with spinal disorders. Pain Management is integral, with epidural steroid injections, facet joint injections and radiofrequency ablation, sacroiliac joint injections, spinal cord stimulation, intrathecal drug delivery, trigger point injections, and regenerative medicine including PRP therapy and stem cell treatments. Neurosciences expertise focuses on neurological aspects of spinal conditions including spinal cord compression syndromes, radiculopathy, myelopathy, cauda equina syndrome, and peripheral nerve disorders. Sports Medicine addresses spine-related sports injuries with specialized evaluation and treatment for professional and recreational athletes. Rehabilitation services include physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, electrotherapy, and individualized exercise programs. Robotic Surgery using the Renaissance robotic guidance system enables precision pedicle screw placement. Scoliosis treatment encompasses both adolescent and adult scoliosis with comprehensive evaluation, bracing programs, and surgical correction. Disc Treatment includes the full spectrum from conservative management through injection therapies to surgical disc replacement and fusion. Minimally Invasive Surgery techniques extend beyond spine to include thoracoscopic and laparoscopic approaches for anterior spine access. The hospital's singular focus on spine conditions means every aspect of the facility, from operating rooms to rehabilitation equipment, is optimized for spinal care. International patient services at Wooridul Spine Hospital are comprehensive, with dedicated multilingual coordinators assisting with appointment scheduling, medical visa applications, airport transfers, hotel accommodations, interpreter services, and insurance facilitation. The hospital provides detailed pre-treatment consultations, transparent pricing with comprehensive cost estimates, and post-treatment follow-up including telemedicine consultations after patients return home. Spine procedures at Wooridul typically cost 40-60% less than equivalent treatments in the United States. Minimally invasive disc surgery costs approximately $5,000-$10,000 compared to $20,000-$50,000 in the US, while spinal fusion costs approximately $15,000-$25,000 versus $60,000-$150,000 in the US. The hospital is accessible via Seoul Metro (Gangnam Station area) and is approximately 55 minutes from Incheon International Airport.