Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov)
Dr. Alon Friedlander, MD, is an orthopedic surgeon and a spine and scoliosis specialist for adults and children. He is the Director of the Orthopedic Department at Sheba Medical Center. He is also an Associate Professor of Orthopedics at Tel Aviv University. He is listed by Forbes among Israel’s Top Doctors.
He treats complex spine disorders with minimally invasive and open surgery. His procedures include anterior and posterior fixation. His focus areas are scoliosis and other deformities, tumors, stenosis and instability, and disc herniation. Education: MD, Tel Aviv University; residency, Sheba Medical Center. Fellowships: Institut Mutualiste Montsouris and University Hospitals of Strasbourg (France); Queen Mary Hospital and the Duchess of Kent Children’s Hospital (Hong Kong).
Advisory roles: IDF referral physician. Consultant to soccer teams. Specialist for the Spartak Basketball Club (knee injuries).
Dr. Boaz Liberman, MD, is an orthopedic oncologist and sarcoma surgeon for adults and children. He directs the Orthopedic Oncology Unit and serves as Vice Head of Orthopedic Surgery at Sheba Medical Center. His focus is limb-sparing cancer surgery with functional reconstruction. He performs complex joint reconstruction, revision arthroplasty, MRgFUS, and reconstruction after bone metastases.
Education and training: MD, Tel Aviv University. Orthopedic surgery residency, Sheba Medical Center. Fellowships in Adult Reconstruction at Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, and in Orthopedic Oncology at Mount Sinai Hospital and Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. He is board-certified in Orthopedic Surgery and in Orthopedic Oncology Surgery. He is a Clinical Instructor at Tel Aviv University. Memberships include the Israel Medical Association, Israel Orthopedic Association, AATB, and EATB. He also serves on national advisory committees. His research covers bone and soft tissue sarcomas, serum markers, imaging-guided therapies, MRI arthrography, and the biomechanics of bone treated with MRgFUS.
Israel provides advanced biological and biomechanical therapies to manage hip osteoarthritis without surgery. Primary options include Orthokine autologous conditioned serum, Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injections, and mesenchymal stem cell therapy. Israeli centers also utilize AposHealth biomechanical devices and radiofrequency ablation for long-term joint preservation.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli medical centers demonstrate a unique integration of university-led research and clinical practice. For instance, Hadassah Medical Center and Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) often employ proprietary protocols developed by their own staff. This close link between labs and clinics means patients access biological therapies frequently unavailable in standardized hospital settings elsewhere.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that structured physical therapy is essential before trying injections. Many find that strengthening hip muscles can extend the effectiveness of non-surgical treatments by 1–2 years.
Israeli surgeons utilize advanced minimally invasive techniques and robotic navigation for total hip arthroplasty. Facilities like Sourasky Medical Center and Assuta prioritize tissue-preserving methods. These approaches include the direct anterior approach and computer-assisted navigation systems. These technologies ensure precise implant positioning and faster patient mobilization.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli orthopedic departments demonstrate extreme specialization between private and public sectors. Private clinics like Assuta Medical Center perform over 92,000 operations annually. They offer patients the rare ability to choose their specific attending physician. This volume allows surgeons like Dr. Boaz Liberman at Sheba to maintain high proficiency in complex joint reconstructions. This expertise is vital for patients requiring revision surgery or limb-sparing procedures.
Patient Consensus: Patients highlight that surgeons often favor the direct anterior approach for its rapid recovery. Some note they were walking the same day without traditional post-operative precautions. Reviewers specifically appreciate the attentiveness of doctors like Dr. Aaron Menahem during the recovery process.
Post-operative rehabilitation in Israel accelerates recovery through ultra-early mobilization and multidisciplinary care. Patients typically begin walking within 24 to 48 hours of surgery. This rapid activation prevents muscle atrophy and reduces blood clot risks. Integrated programs often allow patients to return to daily activities within six weeks.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows that choosing large multidisciplinary centers like Sourasky or Hadassah provides a distinct advantage. These facilities manage over 1,000,000 patients annually and house dedicated rehabilitation departments. This high volume means surgeons and therapists work in synchronized loops. They use shared electronic health records to adjust physical therapy based on real-time surgical data. This coordination is why many patients complete full recovery cycles in 3 months instead of 6.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize that starting physical therapy almost immediately after waking up is vital. While the first few sessions are challenging, many report walking unassisted by the second week and driving within 14 days.
Leading Israeli hospitals for advanced hip osteoarthritis care include Sourasky Medical Center, Sheba Medical Center, and Hadassah Medical Center. These JCI-accredited institutions utilize robotic-assisted surgery and cement-less prosthetics. Specialized centers perform over 35,000 surgeries annually. They offer accelerated recovery protocols for international patients.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While public centers like Sourasky manage immense volumes of 1,800,000 patients yearly, private facilities offer a distinct logistical advantage. At Assuta Medical Center, patients can hand-pick their specific surgeon and room type. This private model typically reduces the surgical waiting period from months to just a few days.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that while public hospitals provide world-class results, the administrative process can be slow. Many highlight that incorporating specialized aquatic therapy at centers like Sheba helps regain mobility significantly faster.