More than just back pain - modern spinal medicine at Zollikerberg Hospital
Dr. med. Beat Wälchli
September 5, 2025
5 min
Back pain is one of the most common health complaints - but not every diagnosis requires an operation. In this interview, Dr Beat Wälchli, Chief Physician and Head of the Spinal Surgery Clinic at Zollikerberg Hospital, talks about the interdisciplinary approach to treatment, the importance of careful indication and why teamwork and looking at the whole person are key.
Dr Wälchli, you combine specialist qualifications in orthopaedic surgery and traumatology of the musculoskeletal system with training in chiropractic. How does this combination influence your view of spinal therapy?
As a chiropractor, I know the limits of both conservative and surgical treatments. This helps me to assess whether surgery or conservative therapy is more appropriate. In principle, I always try to treat the symptoms with conservative measures first - if these options have not already been exhausted.
You head up the interdisciplinary centre for spinal surgery at Zollikerberg Hospital. What characterises this approach - and what added value does it bring for your patients?
As an independent department, we are closely networked with other clinics. It is often a question of assessing whether patients with chronic pain or after accidents need to be treated conservatively or surgically. We therefore work closely with the Surgical and Medical Clinic. The collaboration with the Radiology Clinic enables us to carry out investigations and interventions in-house without long waiting times.
In which cases is an operation really necessary, and where do you see the strengths of conservative treatment methods such as chiropractic or physiotherapy?
Our aim is always to avoid surgery. Conservative methods such as physiotherapy, chiropractic or infiltrations are very effective. Surgery is performed if there is a risk of severe paralysis or if the spinal cord is constricted or if the pain-related pressure of suffering is too much for the person affected. In rare emergencies - such as spinal cord compression or when patients are no longer able to empty their bladder - urgent surgery is required.
Many people with chronic back pain are also afraid of surgery. How do you manage to create trust?
The most important thing is to take patients seriously. Even if complaints sound trivial to us, they are real and stressful for those affected. We look for causes together and discuss all the options. In the end, it is always the patient who decides which path they want to take. And even in very elderly people, an operation is often worthwhile if the findings are clear and the general condition is good.
What distinguishes spinal surgery at Zollikerberg Hospital from other services?
We are a small, well-rehearsed team of three specialists. We discuss difficult cases together and I personally accompany practically all patients. This close and personalised care is a big plus and a strong motivation for me.
How important is the collaboration with orthopaedics, pain therapy, physiotherapy and chiropractic?
Very important. Most patients have already undergone conservative therapies. After an operation, we are again dependent on our colleagues, especially physiotherapy, to enable a successful return to everyday life.
Which developments in technology and teamwork do you consider to be particularly relevant?
Technology is developing rapidly. Navigation and robotics will make spinal surgery even safer. In addition, minimally invasive methods such as endoscopy allow us to achieve excellent results with small incisions - a method that we have been using successfully at Zollikerberg Hospital since 2007.
Weitere Beiträge
Counsellor
Glaucoma - the underestimated risk to your eyesight
Glaucoma, also known as glaucoma, is one of the most common causes of irreversible vision loss worldwide. Despite its prevalence, this eye disease goes unnoticed by many sufferers for a long time, as it develops gradually and without early symptoms. This is precisely why early diagnosis and treatment is crucial in order to preserve vision and prevent blindness. In this article, we explain what exactly glaucoma is, what the risk factors are, how the diagnosis is made and what modern forms of treatment are available. We also provide valuable tips on how you can help prevent it yourself.
Counsellor
Dangerous tiny creatures: Dr Thomas Stangl explains - how to protect yourself from ticks and their diseases
Ticks are widespread in Switzerland, especially in the warmer months - and they can transmit serious diseases that are often underestimated. But how do you recognise a tick bite correctly? When is medical help necessary? And which protective measures are really effective? We spoke to Dr Thomas Stangl, our experienced family doctor at the Hottingen Health Centre. He provides valuable insights and practical tips on the topic of ticks. Read the interview now and find out how you can best protect yourself and your family.
Counsellor
Lipoedema: When heaviness becomes a burden - holistic help for lipoedema
Lipoedema syndrome is a chronic disease of the subcutaneous fatty tissue that often goes unrecognised for years. It almost exclusively affects women and is often mistakenly equated with being overweight or obese. However, lipoedema is an independent, medically relevant diagnosis - with specific symptoms and treatment approaches. Many sufferers struggle with pain, feelings of tightness and a significant reduction in their quality of life. It is particularly distressing that the symptoms are often trivialised or misinterpreted - both in the social environment and in the medical context. Despite the term lipoedema - which suggests swelling (oedema) of the tissue - oedema is not necessarily present. Although this can occur concomitantly, it is not one of the typical characteristics of lipoedema syndrome.