Dr. Tanapol Wangteeraprasert, Managing Director of kdms Specialized Orthopedic Hospital, stated that kdms is Thailand’s first hospital dedicated exclusively to bone and joint conditions. The hospital brings together highly specialized orthopedic surgeons across multiple subspecialties, with particular expertise in endoscopic spine surgery, delivering care under internationally recognized medical standards.
kdms is founded on the philosophy of minimally invasive surgery (MIS), utilizing advanced endoscopic technology for spinal disorders. This approach is designed to minimize tissue damage, reduce surgical trauma, lower the risk of infection, and support faster functional recovery with minimal scarring.
Moreover, kdms is among the few hospitals in Thailand capable of performing complex endoscopic spine procedures, including Endoscopic Cervical Spine Surgery and Endoscopic TLIF. This high level of specialization enables the hospital to deliver effective, patient-centered care while optimizing recovery outcomes, allowing many patients to return to daily activities within a short postoperative period.
Dr. Tanapol noted that continuous advancements in endoscopic spine surgery are playing a critical role in addressing the healthcare challenges of an aging society, where degenerative bone and joint conditions are increasingly prevalent. Minimally invasive endoscopic techniques enable effective treatment while reducing surgical trauma, supporting faster recovery and preserving mobility and quality of life among older patients.
According to data from Thailand’s Department of Medical Services, more than six million people nationwide are affected by degenerative bone & joint diseases, reflecting the growing demand for specialized orthopedic care as the population ages. At the same time, similar conditions are being observed earlier among the working-age population, partly due to sedentary lifestyles and reduced physical activity.
Internal data from kdms shows that over 120,000 patients received orthopedic treatment between January 2022 and 2025. During this period, the hospital’s orthopedic procedure volumes have demonstrated strong growth, with major joint arthroplasties—such as shoulder procedures—projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 25%.
This sustained growth reflects increasing patient confidence in specialized orthopedic care and individualized treatment planning, particularly in response to the healthcare needs of an aging society. Spinal disorder cases account for approximately 12% of kdms’s total patient volume, representing more than 13,000 patients, largely driven by age-related degenerative conditions. At the same time, orthopedic injuries linked to active lifestyles among working-age and younger populations have also contributed to overall case volumes.
“kdms has continuously invested in both medical expertise and advanced technology to support endoscopic spine surgery,” Dr. Tanapol said. “Over the past four years, more than 70% of our spine procedures have utilized endoscopic techniques, demonstrating our extensive experience and long-term commitment to delivering high-quality, specialized patient care.”
Dr. Korakot Thamphongsri, Hospital Director of kdms Specialized Orthopedic Hospital, stated that kdms’s medical care management is distinguished by its multidisciplinary group practice model, supported by a team of more than nine spine subspecialists. Depending on each patient’s condition, relevant subspecialists collaborate to jointly evaluate and determine the most appropriate treatment strategies, particularly for complex cases.
Full endoscopic spine surgery at kdms is indicated for a wide range of spinal conditions, including:
- Herniated Disc (Disc Herniation) – kdms offers dedicated treatment for endoscopic discectomy, a minimally invasive procedure designed to relieve nerve compression and reduce postoperative recovery time.
- Spinal Stenosis – a condition characterized by the narrowing of spaces within the spine, leading to pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. When conservative treatments are ineffective, kdms utilizes endoscopic techniques to decompress affected nerves while minimizing tissue damage.
- Spondylolisthesis – a spinal disorder in which a vertebra slips forward or backward over the one below it, most commonly in the lumbar spine. kdms provides advanced endoscopic fusion surgery, using a minimally invasive approach that reduces postoperative pain, blood loss, and infection risk, enabling patients to resume daily activities sooner.
“kdms Specialized Orthopedic Hospital is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for patients through highly specialized orthopedic care,” Dr. Korakot said. “As Thailand moves toward an aging society, we focus on addressing bone, joint, and muscle conditions with advanced medical expertise and technology. At the same time, kdms is committed to strengthening regional healthcare standards within ASEAN, with the long-term goal of establishing Thailand as a leading medical hub for specialized orthopedic treatment”.
