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ENDING THE AGONIZING PAIN FROM THE BACK DOWN THE LEG THANKS TO UNILATERAL BIPORTAL ENDOSCOPY (UBE)

ENDING THE AGONIZING PAIN FROM THE BACK DOWN THE LEG THANKS TO UNILATERAL BIPORTAL ENDOSCOPY (UBE)

18/06/2025

After years of suffering from pain radiating from the back down the leg, requiring crutches, and undergoing multiple surgeries both domestically and internationally without finding the cause, Mrs. J.H. (53 years old, Australian nationality) found hope thanks to unilateral biportal endoscopic (UBE) surgery at the American International Hospital (AIH).


Freeing from the burden after many years

Upon examination at the Neurosurgery and Spine Unit, American International Hospital (AIH), Mrs. J.H. (53 years old) had to use crutches to move, experiencing pain radiating from the back down the leg, leg numbness, and a severely reduced quality of life. Previously, she had undergone multiple surgeries but had not found the root cause of the disease.

At AIH, after examination and with the support of diagnostic imaging and electromyography, 1st-degree specialist, Dr. Nguyen Manh Hung, Head of the Neurosurgery and Spine Unit, diagnosed Mrs. J.H. with spinal stenosis - foraminal stenosis of the L3-4 and L4-5 vertebrae, causing nerve root compression, a potential but common cause of spinal disease. Immediately afterward, Dr. Hung prescribed treatment with unilateral biportal endoscopic (UBE) surgery.

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1st-degree specialist, Dr. Nguyen Manh Hung is performing Unilateral Biportal Endoscopy.

The Unilateral Biportal Endoscopy (UBE) method is a groundbreaking, minimally invasive technique currently used in the treatment of complex spinal pathologies. With two small, separate entry points for the endoscope and surgical instruments, UBE helps the doctor clearly observe the internal anatomical structures, precisely removing compressive tissues such as herniated discs, thickened ligaments, or bone spurs while preserving the spinal structures. This method significantly reduces the degree of damage, results in less post-operative pain, and allows for faster recovery compared to conventional surgery. 

When operating on the patient, Dr. Hung found that the nerve roots were severely compressed, the ligamentum flavum was thickened and calcified; the doctor removed the ligamentum flavum, calcifications, and bone spurs, completely freeing the nerve roots.

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Unilateral biportal endoscopic (UBE) surgery is an advanced solution in the treatment of spinal diseases, minimally invasive, less painful, and allows for rapid recovery.
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Endoscopic images during surgery assist the doctor in clearly observing the area of nerve root compression and performing precise intervention.

Immediately after the surgery, the patient experienced a marked reduction in pain and was able to walk. At a follow-up appointment one week later, Mrs. J.H. was delighted to report her satisfaction with the treatment results, with a significant decrease in pain, and the ability to walk without crutches. Thus, after many years of living with pain, this was the first time she felt happy and had faith in life.

Accurate diagnosis and choosing the appropriate treatment method

As the person directly performing the surgery, 1st-degree specialist, Dr. Nguyen Manh Hung said that the reason the patient has undergone prolonged treatment, even experiencing multiple surgeries without improvement, is because the disease has not been fully diagnosed. When the source of the pain is not clearly identified, the choice of treatment method will not be effective, causing the illness to persist and the patient may undergo repeated surgeries. 

At AIH, thorough clinical examination along with the support of diagnostic imaging such as MRI, CT-scan, electromyography... helps to accurately diagnose the disease, thereby providing appropriate and effective interventions.

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Accurate diagnosis and the selection of the appropriate treatment method are crucial to avoid repeated surgeries for patients.

1st-degree specialist, Dr. Nguyen Manh Hung stated that lumbar spinal stenosis is one of the common causes of back pain, pain radiating down the legs, often seen in the elderly. Prolonged nerve compression leads to many serious consequences such as severe back pain radiating down the legs, numbness, leg weakness, loss of balance when walking, and even causing urinary and sexual dysfunction. 

At the American International Hospital (AIH), spinal diseases are treated based on the close collaboration between an experienced team of doctors and advanced medical equipment (MRI, CT scan, C-arm...). Thanks to this, diseases such as spinal stenosis, herniated disc, spondylolisthesis, scoliosis, tumors, and spinal injuries… are accurately diagnosed.

The hospital is a pioneer in applying advanced minimally invasive surgical methods such as microsurgery, endoscopy… resulting in high treatment outcome, safety, and helping patients recover quickly.

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1st-degree specialist, Dr. Nguyen Manh Hung has over 20 years of experience treating complex neurological and spinal conditions. 

With 20 years of experience in neurosurgery and spine, and having received specialized training in Vietnam, France, Germany, the US, and South Korea, Dr. Nguyen Manh Hung currently is a leading expert in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions related to the central and peripheral nervous systems, and the spine, especially in cases requiring complex surgical interventions.

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1st-degree specialist, Dr. Nguyen Manh Hung – Head of the Neurosurgery and Spine Unit, American International Hospital (AIH).

Dr. Nguyen Manh Hung has successfully performed: 

  • Over 3,700 brain surgeries, including emergency surgeries for traumatic brain injury, cerebrovascular emergencies, cerebral hemorrhage, brain tumors, hydrocephalus… 

  • Over 3,000 spinal surgeries (cervical, thoracic, lumbar), mainly complex super-surgeries with microsurgical and minimally invasive techniques (MISS, UBE). 

  • Over 900 peripheral nerve surgeries and many other procedures and surgeries related to the central and peripheral nervous systems. 
     

To register for examination and treatment by 1st-degree specialist, Dr. Nguyen Manh Hung, please contact Hotline (028) 3910 9999 or send message to the Fanpage https://m.me/aih.com.vn.

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For checkup and consultation at AIH:
☎ Hotline: (028) 3910 9999
🌏 Website: www.aih.com.vn
📍Address: (Entrance from 199 Nguyen Hoang Street) No.6, Bac Nam 3 Street, Binh Trung Ward, Ho Chi Minh
  • by Admin AIH
  • In News & Events

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