Spine Care in China
Spine surgery,
explained honestly.
What can be treated, what it costs compared to home, and what the journey actually looks like — week by week. No promises, just facts.
What We Treat
Conditions & procedures
Disc herniation & sciatica
The most common case we see. Many patients told they "just have to live with it" are good candidates for minimally invasive endoscopic removal.
Spinal stenosis
Narrowing of the spinal canal, common after 60. Chinese high-volume centers are world leaders in endoscopic decompression techniques.
Degenerative disc disease
Chronic low back pain from worn discs. Options range from motion-preserving disc replacement to single-level fusion.
Spinal deformity & scoliosis
Complex corrective surgery — the domain of a small number of ultra-high-volume centers, several of which are in our network.
Failed or recurrent surgery
Revision cases require surgeons who see them weekly, not yearly. Matching matters more here than anywhere else.
Not sure surgery is needed?
Good. Neither are we — until a senior specialist has reviewed your imaging. Many cases we review are directed to conservative care first.
Cost, Honestly Compared
Same operation. Different bill.
| Procedure | US (self-pay) | UK (private) | China (via HanBridge) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Endoscopic discectomySingle level, minimally invasive | $30,000–60,000 | £9,000–15,000 | from $6,000All-inclusive |
| Single-level lumbar fusionIncluding implants | $80,000–150,000 | £18,000–30,000 | from $12,000All-inclusive |
| Artificial disc replacementMotion-preserving | $50,000–90,000 | £15,000–25,000 | from $10,000All-inclusive |
Indicative ranges for standard cases. "All-inclusive" covers surgery, implants, hospital stay, translation, and full coordination. Your written quote after specialist review is final and fixed.
The Journey
From MRI to recovery,
week by week.
You send your MRI and medical summary. We translate and organise everything for specialist review.
Written opinion in hand: diagnosis review, recommended approach, indicative all-inclusive cost.
Optional video consultation with your matched surgeon. Visa guidance issued — most patients travel visa-free or on a simple medical visa.
You land in Wuhan. We meet you at the airport. Pre-operative checks, then surgery — typically within days of arrival.
Inpatient recovery and early rehabilitation with daily English-speaking support. Most minimally invasive patients fly home around this point.
Scheduled video follow-ups with your surgical team, plus a complete English medical file for your home physician.
Spine FAQ
The questions
everyone asks.
Endoscopic procedures: typically 7–10 days. Fusion surgery: 2–3 weeks. Your surgeon clears you for flying in writing, and we plan the itinerary around it — including aisle seating and airport assistance.
Network hospitals offer both premium Chinese implants and international brands (Medtronic, Johnson & Johnson DePuy Synthes, Stryker). Your written quote lists the exact implant system proposed — you can specify international brands if you prefer.
Your package includes 12 months of video follow-up, and your home physician receives a complete English operative report and imaging set. For rare complications, we coordinate remote review with your surgical team and, where needed, priority readmission arrangements.
Most are pragmatic once they see complete documentation. We encourage you to involve your GP or physiotherapist early — and we can arrange a doctor-to-doctor call between your home physician and your Chinese surgeon before you commit.
Start with your MRI.
A written specialist opinion within 48 hours — free during our founding period.