Best Degenerative Spine Disease Doctors Abroad for Australian Patients

Prof. Dr. Halil Can Gemalmaz
Orthopedic and Traumatology Surgeon | Istanbul, Turkey

Prof. Dr. Halil Can Gemalmaz is a Professor of Orthopedics and Traumatology with extensive experience in joint replacement, sports injuries, and advanced reconstructive surgery. He treats both local and international patients in his private clinic in Istanbul and performs surgeries in leading private hospitals.

He specializes in knee, hip, and shoulder conditions, including robotic-assisted joint replacement, arthroscopic surgery, and complex trauma care. His practice combines modern surgical techniques with individualized treatment planning to achieve reliable functional outcomes and faster recovery.

In selected cases, Prof. Gemalmaz utilizes advanced 3D planning and patient-specific surgical guides to improve surgical precision, particularly in complex deformities and revision procedures.

He is currently a faculty member at Atlas University Faculty of Medicine and previously worked at Acıbadem Health Group and Acıbadem University.

Key strengths:
Accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment
Modern surgical techniques and robotic-assisted procedures
Strong experience in joint replacement and sports injuries
Clear communication with international patients
Balanced approach between surgical and non-surgical care

Professor Kantaphong Thongrong is a board-certified physiatrist and the Head of Rehabilitation at King Mongkut Chaokhunthahan Hospital, specialising in non-surgical recovery for spinal conditions.

• Treats degenerative spine disease using ultrasound-guided hydrodissection to relieve nerve compression
• Uses advanced laser therapy and radio-frequency techniques to manage chronic back and neck pain
• Specialises in robotic exoskeleton gait training for patients with mobility challenges
• Presented clinical research on surgical skills and rehabilitation at the 17th Ottawa Conference in Perth

The doctor has extensive training in orthopedics and traumatology, having completed various specialized programs, including advanced arthroplasty and spinal surgery. The doctor is well-versed in hip and knee robotic replacement surgeries, with training from international and national institutions such as the International Congress for Joint Reconstruction and the Turkish Society of Orthopaedics and Traumatology. The doctor graduated from Trakya University Medical Faculty, specializing in orthopedics and traumatology. Memberships include the Turkish Medical Association and the International Congress for Joint Reconstruction.

Dr. Mehmet Aydogan is a specialist in Orthopedics, Traumatology, and Spine Surgery at Memorial Şişli Hospital. He worked in Spine Surgery there in 2024–2025 and has been in Orthopedics since 2026. He previously led the Orthopedic Surgery, Traumatology & Advanced Spine Surgery Center at Emsey Hospital (2018–2022). His experience includes the EURO SPINE Surgical Spine Center of Excellence in Switzerland (2022–2024) and a research fellowship at the UCLA Comprehensive Spine Center (2009–2011). He also held posts at Boğaziçi Spine Center, Medical Park Göztepe, and Florence Nightingale.

Education: MD, Ege University (1990–1996). Residency in Orthopedics and Traumatology at Dr. Lütfi Kırdar Kartal TRH (2000–2004). Publications: 50 journal articles and 37 presentations.

Memberships: TTB, TOTBİD, Turkish Spine Society, MINOD, NASS, SRS, European Spine Society, and APSS.

Dr Jirachai Pisutbenya is a spinal surgery specialist at KDMS Specialized Orthopedic Hospital who focuses on keeping surgery as small and gentle as possible.

• Specialises in endoscopic spine surgery – uses tiny cameras and tools for less muscle damage
• Performs minimally invasive procedures to help patients recover faster and with less pain
• Expert in treating adult spinal deformity and complex neck issues in the cervical spine
• Completed twin fellowships in orthopaedic and spinal surgery at Mahidol University
• Focuses on precise surgical techniques for degenerative conditions of the spine

Dr. Pradab Pradasuk is an orthopedic surgeon with 24 years of experience at Navamin9 Hospital in Bangkok. He consults in English and Thai.

His practice focuses on arthroscopy and knee reconstruction. This includes ACL surgery, meniscectomy, arthroplasty, and joint replacement. He treats shoulder disorders, including rotator cuff tears. He manages ankle and foot conditions, including arthrodesis, joint replacement, Achilles tendon repair, and toe or foot reconstruction. He performs fracture surgery of the forearm, pelvis, and spine. Spine procedures include endoscopic discectomy, decompression, fusion with instrumentation, and spinal cord stimulation (SCS). He provides limb prosthetics and orthotics. He provides orthopedic rehabilitation, including Re-Step. Diagnostic support includes MRI, CT, and chest X-ray.

Dr. Fırat Oruç is an Orthopedics and Traumatology specialist with 20 years of experience (since 2005). He has worked at Medical Park Antalya Hospital Complex since 2008. He previously worked at Private Lara Hospital (2005–2007) and completed his military service at GATA Istanbul (2007–2008).

Clinical focus includes knee, shoulder, and hip surgery; joint prostheses; soft tissue and bone tumors; pediatric orthopedics; and hand surgery. He earned his medical degree from Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine (1993–1999). He completed his Orthopedics and Traumatology residency at Akdeniz University (1999–2005).

Dr. Suwit Tangcharoenwathanakul is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in spine disorders. He has subspecialty training in spine surgery.

Doctor of Medicine (MD), Faculty of Medicine, Naresuan University (2010). Diploma in Orthopedic Surgery, Hatyai Hospital (2015). Fellowship in Spine Surgery, Orthopedic Center of Excellence, Lerdsin Hospital (2020).

• AREAS OF INTEREST
• Spine surgery
• Scoliosis
• Kyphosis
• Childhood spinal diseases
• Degenerative spine diseases
• Lumbar cervical disc herniation
• Knee hip joint disorders
• Orthopedic trauma surgery

• Education and Specialization
• 2010 - Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine - Medical Education
• 2016 - Medeniyet University Goztepe Training and Research Hospital - Specialization

• Experience
• 2016 - 2022 - Sisli Hamidiye Etfal Training and Research Hospital
• 2015 -2016 - Chicago Loyola University, Illinois, USA

• Courses and Certificates
• 13.12.2019-14.12.2019 Turkish Spine Society Eurospine Accredited Education Modules
• 08.11.2019-10.11.2019 Turkish Spine Society Eurospine Accredited Education Modules
• 31.08.2015-04.09.2015 Basic Microsurgery Course, MICROSURGERY EDUCATION-RESEARCH LABORATORY
• AO Trauma Course-Basic Principles of Fracture Management
• 07.06.2014-10.06.2014 Fracture Management, Kodi Kojima Chairperson AOTrauma Education Commission
• 01.03.2013-02.03.2013 Instrumentation in Arthroscopic Surgery

• Professional Memberships
• Turkish Orthopedics and Traumatology Association (TOTBİD)
• Turkish Medical Association - Istanbul Medical Chamber

Dr Wuttichai Sutantavibul is a fellowship-trained specialist in minimally invasive spine surgery at KDMS Specialized Orthopedic Hospital.

• Specialises in endoscopic spine surgery using tiny incisions for faster patient recovery
• Performs vertebroplasty to stabilise spinal fractures by injecting medical-grade cement
• Expert in epidural steroid injections to manage chronic pain without surgery
• Completed intensive surgical fellowships in South Korea and Japan
• Trained in percutaneous screw fixation for less invasive spinal stabilisation

Dr. Jang Hyo Kim is an orthopedic surgeon focused on joint preservation and complex reconstruction. He specializes in arthroscopy of the shoulder, knee, ankle, elbow, and wrist. He performs joint replacement of the shoulder, knee, ankle, elbow, and hip. His spine work includes cervical and lumbar instrumentation and fusion. He also performs discectomy, laminectomy, neuroplasty, and vertebroplasty. His practice includes fracture care and muscle and ligament repair.

He is an Adjunct Professor at Kyung Hee University. He serves as Director of the Joint Center at Very Good Hospital. He previously served as chief or director at Yeonggwang General, Songjeong Sarang, Sewoori–Daejeon, Seoul Welfare, and The Barun hospitals. He was an advisory member of the Gwangju–Jeonnam Workers’ Compensation Board. He is a full member of the Korean Orthopaedic Association (KOA) and the Korean Societies of Arthroscopy, Knee, Sports Medicine, Hip, Pain, and Obesity. He holds TPI therapy certification. He completed an Ilizarov fellowship in Kurgan, Russia. He also completed training in shoulder arthroscopy.

Professor Feridun Cilli holds a prestigious fellowship from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, where he specialised in orthopaedic surgery and musculoskeletal health at Memorial Bodrum Hospital.

• Specialises in treating degenerative spine disease through orthopaedic and traumatology interventions
• Holds a microsurgery certificate for meticulous repairs of nerves and small tissue vessels
• Former Chief Medical Officer with extensive experience in high-pressure clinical leadership
• Member of the Turkish Orthopaedics and Traumatology Association
• Trained in sports medicine and joint surgery at leading American medical institutions

Mali interdisciplinary hospital is integrating conventional, regenerative and precision medicine. It divides into 11 departments, there are 35 beds in total, including 12 intensive care beds, 23 general beds, 2 emergency and operating rooms, 1 plastic surgical room, 1 Gastro-colonoscopic room. Focus on round-trip treatment with modern medical technology to reduce the cost of hospitalization and the healing time. It also integrating regenerative medicine to repair the body and precision medicine for preventing and treating chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) with better results, we provide these services in a greenery atmosphere. Allowing clients to receive the following benefits.

1. Far away from NCDs & It’s complication

2. Good quality of life

3. Youthful lively life

4. Longevity

Dr Gokhan Kursat Kara is a lead orthopaedic surgeon at Liv Hospital Ulus, specialising in complex spinal reconstruction and deformity correction.

• Expert in posterior vertebral column resection – a precision technique for severe spinal instability
• Specialises in managing cervical corpectomy cases to relieve pressure on the spinal cord
• Uses absorbable adhesion barriers to reduce scar tissue and improve post-surgical movement
• Highly published researcher in orthopaedics, specifically on surgical outcomes for spinal fractures