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What is Baastrup's Disease (Kissing Spine)?

Baastrup's Disease is more popularly known as Kissing Spine, which is a condition wherein two adjacent spinous processes (the bony protrusions at the back of the vertebrae) in the spine contact each other or "kiss" because of degenerative changes in the vertebrae.

It is commonly seen in the lower back (lumbar spine) but may also occur at other levels. It often manifests in the lumbar spine or lower back but may also be formed at different locations.

What is the Importance of Timely Treatment?

Prevention of Disease Progression

Early treatment can prevent the disease from further deterioration and additional degeneration. Early intervention would reduce complications, thus improving long-term outcomes.

Chronic Pain Reduction

Treating any spine-related problem early will decrease the chances of chronic pain developing. If symptoms are managed early, this will prevent long-term pain and enhance mobility.

Better Treatment Outcomes

Early treatment almost always results in better recovery and more effective management. It will prevent the need for more invasive and complex surgeries at a later stage.

Higher Quality of Life

The sooner the treatment is started, the longer patients can maintain an active lifestyle and lessen the interference with daily activities. In addition, reducing the stress of chronic pain enhances mental health.

Cost-Effective Care
Early intervention will minimise years of costly treatment options. There will be less risk of complications and the need for invasive options.

What are the Common Symptoms of Baastrup's Disease (Kissing Spine)?

  • Localised Back Pain
  • Pain When Pressing on the Spine
  • Stiffness and Limited Range of Motion
  • Radiating Pain (Radiculopathy)
  • Muscle Spasms

Causes and Risk Factors of Baastrup's Disease (Kissing Spine)

Causes

  • Degenerative Changes in the Spine
  • Abnormal Spine Alignment
  • Facet Joint Osteoarthritis
  • Repetitive Stress or Overuse
  • Post-Surgical Changes

Risk Factors

  • Age
  • Gender
  • Spinal Deformities
  • Occupation and Physical Activity
  • Genetic Factors
  • Previous Spinal Injury

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Latest Research and Technologies in the Treatment of Baastrup's Disease (Kissing Spine) in Thailand


Regenerative Medicine

The newest trend in research in the country now is the Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) treatment and stem cell therapy. Such biologics are indicated for inflammatory conditions, tissue healing, and delaying surgical indication, if not circumventing it.

Multidisciplinary Comprehensive Pain Management
A hospital can provide complete rehabilitation programs for an individual with physiotherapy, postural correction exercises, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and spine stabilising exercises. These noninvasive treatment options significantly improve mobility and substantially improve chronic pain symptomatology.

Baastrup's Disease (Kissing Spine) Prevention Tips

Keep Good Posture

Sitting, standing, and walking in the correct body position relieves the vertebrae from unnecessary stress. Use proper ergonomic furniture and avoid slumping to keep the lower back healthy.

Building Core and Back Muscles

Exercising the previous day makes today worth it. You have to target your abs and back through regular exercise, as these are the keys to stability and prevention against the misalignment possibilities of the spine.

Avoid Sitting or Standing for Long

It is advisable to break up and take some stretching or changing activity to completely relieve pressure on your spine by remaining in a static position for a long time without any positional changes.

Control Weight

Controlling healthy weight helps reduce the excess load on the spine and lower back. Proper diet and exercise reduce the stress placed along the line of vertebral structures.

Proper Lifting Techniques
When lifting a heavy object, bend with your knees rather than your waist to easily lift it. Wearing supportive shoes and lifting correctly can help reduce the stress on your spine.

Treatment options for Baastrup's Disease (Kissing Spine)

The medical treatment for Baastrup's Disease (Kissing Spine) requires evaluating the severity, neural involvement, and patient medical condition. The following are the treatment options:

Radiofrequency ablation is when radio waves pass through the skin into nerve tissues adjacent to the spine to relieve pain. It may be undertaken in those who suffer from chronic pain unrelieved by other treatment modalities.

Spinal Fusion Surgery may be performed in severe cases of decompression for the removal of spinous processes causing pain or impinging on a nerve with the aim of long-term relief. Spinal fusion may occur in conditions significantly destabilising the spine by fusing the affected vertebrae.


Cost Start From USD 12000 - USD 17000Explore Options

Laminectomy : A surgical procedure where a portion of the targeted bone is excised to relieve pressure on either the spinal cord or the surrounding nerves


Cost Start From USD 9500 - USD 12500Explore Options

These are the standard diagnostic methods for diagnosing Baastrup's Disease (Kissing Spine):

Clinical Evaluation

  • History and Symptoms: During the assessment, the physician needs information about the previous surgical procedure and symptoms of back pain, numbness, and weakness to determine spinal cord involvement.
  • Physical exam: The doctor will ask about the patient's medical history and symptoms, and the physical examination will show them. Tenderness and pain along the spinous processes can be key indicators.

Imaging Studies

  • Plain Radiographs: X-rays are the first imaging modality to evaluate any evidence of Baastrup's Disease. The X-ray can show the closeness of the spinous processes and, to some extent, vertebral degenerative changes, such as disc degeneration or bony growth.
  • Detailed Imaging for Soft Tissues: The MRI gives better images of soft tissue structures such as discs, ligaments, and muscles. It can also show any inflammatory condition of the interspinous ligaments, disc degeneration, or nerve compression by kissing spinous processes.
  • A CT Scan provides detailed bone and spine views. The CT SCAN also produces three-dimensional images of vertebralspinal structures. This may help identify particular changes in vertebrae orientation and disclose relevant fractures or structural abnormalities.
  • FDG PET/CT Advanced imaging: This imaging technique can detect scarring for inflammatory lesions in places where the kissing spinous processes occur. It can be helpful in complex cases that otherwise do not get sufficient information from conventional X-ray or MRI techniques.
  • Bone Scintigraphy (Bone Scan) for Inflammation: Sometimes, a bone scan indicates inflammation in the spinous process. This is usually when other imaging techniques fail to demonstrate conclusively.

MediRehab (a chain of Rehab centres, part of MediGence) provides comprehensive rehabilitation services to support patients through Teleconsulations and online therapy sessions.

Physical Therapy

Training on posture, manual therapy, and stretching will enhance mobility and reduce pain. The exercises targeted will help to reduce stiffness and improve spinal flexibility.

Strengthening Exercises

The muscles surrounding the spine are strengthened through core and spinal stabilisation exercises. Swimming is a low-impact activity that builds strength without stressing the spine.

Management of Pain Techniques

Various treatments include heat or cold therapy, TENS, and massage therapy. These complementary therapies are fundamental in alleviating pain and improving the quality of life for the patient.

Occupational Physiotherapy Ergonomics

Adopting proper posture with workplace ergonomics reduces strain on the spine. An ergonomic chair and correct lifting techniques will help eliminate further stress on the spine.


Lifestyle and Activity Modification
Low-impact exercises, weight control, and avoiding protracted sitting or standing are vital for relieving the stress on the spine. Aquatic therapy offers a gentle exercise method while minimising stress on the lower back.

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Hospitals for Baastrup's Disease (Kissing Spine) in Thailand

Piyavate Hospital: Top Doctors, and Reviews
Piyavate Hospital

Bangkok, Thailand

Piyavate Hospital located in Bangkok, Thailand is accredited by JCI. Also listed below are some of the most prominent infrastructural details:

  • Medicine Centre: Piyavate Hospital provides advanced holistic treatment for their patients. They offer a complete range of services and physicians that specialize in various fields like the endocrine system, the nervous system, kidney function, cardiovascular care, respiratory and digestive system. They pride themselves for the familial care that they provide to their patients.

  • Fertility and In-Vitro Fertilization Centre: Helping the couples who walk into the Piyavate Hospital to achieve their dream of having a family. They have a medical team that specializes in male and female fertility. They offer consultation services, fertility check-up for both men and women and complete IVF services. They have advanced IVF cycle treatment facilities that offer a high rate of success.

  • Bone and Joint Institute: Piyavate Hospital houses one of the frontrunners in Orthopaedic health care in all of SouthEast Asia. They offer a wide range of services and surgeries in their bone and joint institute that include hand surgery, hip and knee replacement surgery, spinal cord surgery, upper extremity surgery, arthroscopic surgery and sports medicine.

  • Eye and Lasik Centre: Piyavate Hospital is fully equipped with the latest and most advanced technology for eye care and houses highly skilled ophthalmologists, sub-specialists and qualified nurses.

  • Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Centre: One of the first hospitals to be equipped with the Hybrid Assistive Limb technology that will help a neurologically challenged patient to control the rehabilitation robot limb with a signal from their brain. The Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Centre at Piyavate Hospital uses this system encourage patients to regain muscle memory to walk and function normally.

Amenities for Patient’s Family:

Piyavate Hospital also offers additional apartment facilities to house the kin of the patients who come to visit them from distant places. A restaurant, a flower shop and a café are a few of the other amenities provided by the hospital.

These are the most popular services offered by the Piyavate Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. They also provide a plethora of other medical services that are listed below:

  • Diabetic Foot Centre

  • Check-up centre

  • Urology Centre 

  • Heart Institute

  • Paediatric Centre 

  • Obstetrics and Gynaecology Centre

  • Surgery Centre

  • Ear Nose Throat Centre

  • Haemodialysis Centre 

  • Dental Centre

  • X-Ray Centre

  • Gastroenterology Centre

  • Cancer Centre

  • Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

  • Emergency Services and Centre

  • Tele-medicine

Krabi Nakharin International Hospital: Top Doctors, and Reviews
Krabi Nakharin International Hospital

Krabi, Thailand

Krabi Nakharin International Hospital located in Krabi, Thailand is accredited by JCI. Also listed below are some of the most prominent infrastructural details:

  • Capacity of Imported electronically adjustable 100 beds
  • Housing Facility in VIP Rooms, Deluxe Rooms, Superior Rooms, 2-Beds room, 9-Beds room
  • All rooms are fully equipped with Smart TV, Refrigerator with soft drinks, Wi-fi, sofacumbed, personal nurse call system, telephone for local & international calls, Microwave,
  • Main meals and snacks are also included
  • Medical Technology includes- 64-slice CT scan, MRI, Fluoroscopy Examination, Digital Mammogram, Computed Radiography and 4D-Ultrasound
  • 14 Treatment Centers and Clinics
  • 24*7 Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
  • Outpatient Department (OPD)
  • Emergency Department
Phyathai 2 International Hospital: Top Doctors, and Reviews
Phyathai 2 International Hospital

Bangkok, Thailand

Phyathai 2 International Hospital located in Bangkok, Thailand is accredited by JCI. Also listed below are some of the most prominent infrastructural details:

  • Fully equipped rooms are available for convenience of the patients- Gold B Room, Gold A Room, Pediatric Gold A, Platinum room, and Prestige ward
  • Nearby accommodations are also available- Abloom Service Apartments, Bangkok Patio, VIB Best Western Sanam Pao, VIC3 Hotel
  • Operating room
  • International Patient Medical Center to assist overseas patients

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Why Choose Thailand for Baastrup's Disease (Kissing Spine) Treatment?

World-Class Spine Specialists
Orthopedic and neurosurgeons have been trained and qualified internationally and have experience caring for complex spinal conditions like Baastrup's disease through appropriate techniques.

Advanced Minimally Invasive Treatments
Top hospitals in Thailand offer minimally invasive treatment options, including interspinous process decompression and radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Faster recovery and fewer complications are ensured.

Access to Regenerative Therapies
In Thailand, PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) and stem cell therapies are cutting-edge for non-surgical treatment to help heal damaged spinal tissues.

Affordability
Patients find affordable spine care that is world-class in quality by international standards and has precise costing and all-inclusive treatment packages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Surgery is not indicated in all cases. Most cases respond well to conservative treatment, given good medical therapy and physiotherapy. Surgery is usually reserved for severe, persistent pain as well as neurologic compression or instability.

Furthermore, Baastrup's Disease untreated would mean a significant loss of mobility and quality of life due to pain and discomfort caused by this condition. Most cases can succeed with good treatment, including physical therapy and pain management, in managing symptoms and avoiding permanent disability.

Yes, with all the experienced ones, internationally trained orthopedic spine surgeons and neurosurgeons specialise in finding and treating Baastrup's Disease through advanced techniques.

Thailand's leading hospitals and rehab centres provide physiotherapy and rehabilitation programs to assist recovery and improve spinal function after treatment.

The Baastrup's Disease treatment in Thailand claims a success rate between 60-80% with the non-surgical options of therapy and injections, 75-90% with minimally invasive procedures for pain relief, and 85-95% success rate with open surgery in leading hospitals.

A healthy weight, good standing and sitting posture, and participation in low-impact activities like swimming or walking reduce strain on the spine and benefit symptoms.

Baastrup's Disease may not be entirely preventable. Still, risk reduction includes good posture, minimisation of repetitive stress on the spine, development of strong core muscles, and ergonomic furniture for back support.

Yes, physical therapy is a viable treatment approach. Its intervention includes improving flexibility, reinforcing core and back muscles, and teaching proper posture to lessen the burden on the spine; all these shorten the duration of pain relief and prevent further deterioration.

Sometimes, Baastrup's Disease symptoms recur. This is mainly because the patient has been unable to correct the medically established causes of degenerative changes or faulty posture. Regular exercise and good posture combined with good weight management will prevent reoccurrence.

Should Baastrup's disease go untreated, it may eventually progress into chronic pain, possible nerve compression, and the tasting of spinal instability. In extreme cases, walking or using body movements becomes almost impossible; all these changes severely affect the quality of life.