Meoclinic Hospital, Berlin – Germany
About Dr. Michael Akbar
Prof. Dr. med. Michael Akbar is an internationally renowned Spine and Scoliosis Surgeon based in Berlin with 19+ years of experience and 10,000+ independently performed spinal surgeries in adults and children. Former Head of the Spine Surgery Centre at Heidelberg University Hospital (2015–2019, with surgical responsibility for the Clinic for Paraplegiology), he is currently Surgical Medical Director at MEOCLINIC Berlin, Founder of the Clinic for Spinal Diseases and Therapies at MEOCLINIC, and Section for Complex Spinal and Scoliosis Surgery at Helios Klinikum Berlin-Buch. He is FOCUS-listed top doctor for spinal surgery (since 2021), Master Certified by the German Spine Society (DWG), and lecturer at the elite University of Heidelberg. He is widely regarded as one of the leading Spine Surgeon specialists in Berlin, Germany for international patients seeking world-class spinal care.
- 19+ years of experience in orthopaedics, trauma surgery and spine surgery
- 10,000+ spinal surgeries performed independently
- Surgical Medical Director — MEOCLINIC Berlin, Friedrichstraße, Berlin-Mitte (since May 2020)
- Founder — Clinic for Spinal Diseases and Therapies at MEOCLINIC Berlin (April 2020)
- Section for Complex Spinal and Scoliosis Surgery — Helios Klinikum Berlin-Buch (since April 2020)
- Former Head — Spine Surgery Centre, Heidelberg University Hospital (2015–2019)
Qualifications & Credentials
Medical Degrees
- Studies in Human Medicine (Graduation) — Free University of Berlin (Freie Universität Berlin), Berlin, Germany, 1993–1999
- MS / Doctorate Thesis (Dr. med.) — Medical School Benjamin Franklin, Free University of Berlin, May 2002 (Thesis: “Molecular Biological Studies on the Expression of Endothelial Calcium-Activated Potassium (BKCa) Channel Subunits”)
- Habilitation in Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery — University of Heidelberg, January 2017 (Topic: Pathological changes of the shoulder joints in long-term paraplegics with complete wheelchair dependence)
- Universitätsprofessur (Univ.-Prof. Dr. med.) — University of Heidelberg
Fellowships & Special Training
- Specialist Certification in Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, October 2008
- Additional Qualification in Special Trauma Surgery, October 2013
- Additional Qualification in Special Orthopaedic Surgery, July 2016
- Additional Specialist Title in Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, August 2020
- Lautenschläger Scholarship (University of Heidelberg) — Clinical-Scientific Stay at Spinal Deformity Service, Hospital for Joint Diseases, New York University School of Medicine (Prof. F. Schwab; V. Lafage), 2012/2013
- International Practical Year — Kantonsspital Aarau (University of Zurich), University of California San Diego (UCSD) Spinal Surgery (Prof. S. Garfin), Inselspital Bern Rheumatology (Prof. M. Seitz)
Certifications & Accreditations
- Berlin Medical Council (Ärztekammer Berlin) — Registered Specialist in Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery
- Basic and Master Certificate of the German Spine Society (DWG) — December 2014 (Master Certificate January 2015)
- Member, German Spine Society (DWG)
- Member, EUROSPINE — The Spine Society of Europe
- Advisory Board Member, Bundesverband Skoliose-Selbsthilfe e.V.
- FOCUS List of Top Physicians for Spinal Surgery — since 2021
Areas of Expertise
Major Conditions Treated
- Adolescent & Pediatric Idiopathic Scoliosis
- Adult Degenerative Scoliosis
- Kyphosis (Hyperkyphosis, Scheuermann’s Disease)
- Spondylolisthesis (Degenerative & Isthmic)
- Cervical Disc Disease & Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy
- Lumbar Disc Herniation & Sciatica
- Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
- Spinal Arthrosis (Facet Joint Arthrosis)
- Adult Spinal Deformity (Flat Back)
- Spinal Tumours (Primary & Metastatic)
- Spinal Fractures & Trauma
- Spondylodiscitis (Spinal Infections)
- Pyogenic Spondylodiscitis & Implant-Associated Infections
- Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (Revision Cases)
- Sacroiliac Joint Pain & Pelvic-Spine Disorders
- Spinal Cord Injury & Paraplegia-Associated Complications
Sub-specialties
- Scoliosis & Complex Spinal Deformity Surgery: Three-dimensional correction of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, kyphosis and adult deformity, including C-Brace conservative therapy — making him a leading Spine Surgeon specialist Berlin, Germany for scoliosis care.
- Degenerative Spine Surgery: Cervical and lumbar disc surgery, decompression, fusion and motion-preserving surgery — supporting demand for the best Spine Surgeon doctor in Germany for degenerative spine disease.
- Revision Spine Surgery, Tumours, Trauma & Spinal Infections: Complex revision spine surgery, spinal tumours, fractures and pyogenic spondylodiscitis management.
Advanced Procedures & Treatments
- Three-Dimensional Surgical Correction for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
- Posterior Spinal Fusion for Scoliosis & Kyphosis
- Adult Deformity Correction (Pedicle Subtraction Osteotomy, SPO)
- Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion (ACDF)
- Cervical Disc Replacement (Arthroplasty)
- Posterior & Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF / TLIF)
- Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MISS)
- Lumbar Microdiscectomy
- Lumbar Decompression & Spinal Stenosis Surgery
- Spinal Tumour Resection
- Vertebroplasty & Kyphoplasty
- Surgery for Pyogenic Spondylodiscitis
- Revision Spine Surgery
- Sacroiliac Joint Fusion
- C-Brace (Chêneau-Brace) Conservative Scoliosis Therapy
- Conservative & Rehabilitation Spine Care
Professional Experience
Current Affiliation
- Surgical Medical Director — MEOCLINIC Berlin, Friedrichstraße, Berlin-Mitte, Germany (since May 2020 – Present)
- Founder & Head — Clinic for Spinal Diseases and Therapies at MEOCLINIC Berlin (since April 2020)
- Section for Complex Spinal and Scoliosis Surgery — Clinic for Neurosurgery and Spine Therapy, Helios Klinikum Berlin-Buch (Head Physician PD Dr. Yu-Mi Ryang) (since April 2020)
- Founder & Consultant — EXPERTS FIRST – The Bone Docs, Heidelberg (private practice, since 2020)
- Lecturer (HeiCuMed) — University of Heidelberg, Medical Faculty (Present)
Past Affiliations
- Heidelberg University Hospital — Head of the Spine Surgery Centre, Clinic for Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery; Surgical Responsibility for the Clinic for Paraplegiology (June 2015 – March 2020)
- Heidelberg University Hospital — Senior Physician, Spine Surgery Section, Centre for Orthopaedics, Trauma Surgery and Paraplegiology, Clinic for Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery (Director Prof. V. Ewerbeck), since October 2008
- Heidelberg University Foundation Orthopaedic Clinic — Assistant Doctor, Department of Orthopaedics I+II (Director Prof. V. Ewerbeck; Director Prof. H. J. Gerner), 2001–2008
- Heidelberg University Foundation Orthopaedic Clinic — Civil Service as Assistant Doctor, 2001–2002
- Surgical Clinic and Polyclinic I, Benjamin Franklin University Hospital, Free University of Berlin (Prof. H. J. Buhr) — Junior Doctor, March 2000 – February 2001
- Free University of Berlin — Medical Studies, October 1993 – November 1999
Academic & Research Roles
- Universitätsprofessor (Univ.-Prof. Dr. med.) — University of Heidelberg
- External Lecturer (HeiCuMed) — Heidelberg Curriculum Medicinale, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg
- Author of multiple peer-reviewed publications in “Der Orthopäde”, “Spinal Cord” and “Zeitschrift für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie”
- Speaker at DWG, EUROSPINE and German Spine Congress meetings
- Active educator and mentor for orthopaedic and spine surgery residents
- Court-engaged expert witness on spinal disorders
Key Achievements
- 10,000+ independently performed spinal surgeries
- FOCUS List of Top Physicians for Spinal Surgery — since 2021
- Master Certificate of the German Spine Society (DWG)
- Vernon L. Nickel Award — American Orthopaedic Rehabilitation Association (ORA), May 2010, for the work “Prevalence of Rotator Cuff Tear in Paraplegic Patients Compared to Controls — A Case-Control Study”
- 3rd Poster Prize at the 10th German Spine Congress, Frankfurt am Main, for “The Sagittal Profile of the Cervical Spine in Patients with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis”
- Lautenschläger Scholarship — University of Heidelberg (Spinal Deformity Service, Hospital for Joint Diseases, New York University School of Medicine), 2012/2013
- Publication Prize 2005 — Orthopaedic University Clinic Heidelberg Foundation
Awards & Recognitions
National & International Awards
- FOCUS List of Top Physicians for Spinal Surgery — since 2021
- Vernon L. Nickel Award — American Orthopaedic Rehabilitation Association (ORA), May 2010
- 3rd Poster Prize — 10th German Spine Congress, Frankfurt am Main
- Lautenschläger Scholarship — University of Heidelberg, 2012/2013 (NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases)
- Publication Prize 2005 — Orthopaedic University Clinic Heidelberg Foundation
- Master Certificate — German Spine Society (DWG), January 2015
Professional Memberships
- German Spine Society (DWG)
- EUROSPINE — The Spine Society of Europe
- Advisory Board, Bundesverband Skoliose-Selbsthilfe e.V.
- Berlin Medical Council (Ärztekammer Berlin)
Research & Publications
Published Papers (Selected)
- Akbar M, et al. Three-Dimensional Surgical Correction Analysis in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Treated with Posterior Fusion.
- Akbar M, et al. Chêneau-Brace (C-Brace) Therapy in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis with a Cobb Angle Between 20° and 45°.
- Akbar M, et al. Return to Sport After Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) Correction Surgery: A Retrospective Data Analysis.
- Akbar M, et al. Three-Dimensional Analysis of Initial Brace Correction in the Setting of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.
- Akbar M, et al. The Sacroiliac Joint as a Cause of Low Back Pain — Anatomy, Function and Pathologies.
- Akbar M, et al. Pyogenic Spondylodiscitis (PS) — Multicentre Analysis and Optimal Step in Management.
- Akbar M, et al. Implant-Associated Infections in Spine Surgery — Diagnosis and Treatment.
- Akbar M, et al. CCL-2, CCL-3, CCL-4 and CXCL-5 Serum Levels and Remission After Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury.
- Akbar M, et al. Cervical Spine Alignment Following Surgery for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) — A Pre-to-Post Analysis of 81 Patients.
- Akbar M, et al. Prevalence of Rotator Cuff Tear in Paraplegic Patients Compared to Controls — A Case-Control Study (Vernon L. Nickel Award winner).
- Akbar M, et al. Pediatric Vertebral Injuries — Treatment Strategies in Children Versus Adults.
- Akbar M, et al. Benign Tumours of the Spine — Imaging, Histology and Treatment.
Ongoing Research & Clinical Interests
- Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis — three-dimensional correction and brace therapy
- Adult spinal deformity
- Pyogenic spondylodiscitis and implant-associated infections
- Traumatic spinal cord injury and rehabilitation
- Sacroiliac joint and low-back pain
- Cervical spine alignment and motion-preserving surgery
Estimated Treatment Costs
| Procedure / Consultation | Estimated Cost (EUR) | Estimated Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Spine Surgery / Orthopaedic Consultation | €300 – €700 | $330 – $760 |
| Lumbar Microdiscectomy | €8,000 – €15,000 | $8,700 – $16,300 |
| Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion (ACDF) | €14,000 – €25,000 | $15,200 – $27,200 |
| Cervical Disc Replacement (Arthroplasty) | €18,000 – €30,000 | $19,500 – $32,600 |
| Posterior Lumbar Fusion (PLIF / TLIF) | €18,000 – €35,000 | $19,500 – $38,000 |
| Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MISS) | €20,000 – €38,000 | $21,700 – $41,300 |
| Scoliosis Correction Surgery | €35,000 – €70,000 | $38,000 – $76,000 |
| Adult Deformity Correction (Pedicle Subtraction Osteotomy) | €40,000 – €85,000 | $43,500 – $92,400 |
| Vertebroplasty / Kyphoplasty | €8,000 – €18,000 | $8,700 – $19,500 |
| Spinal Tumour Surgery | €25,000 – €55,000 | $27,200 – $59,800 |
| Revision Spine Surgery | €25,000 – €60,000 | $27,200 – $65,000 |
*Indicative estimates only. Actual costs subject to hospital pricing, case complexity, and insurance. Contact Cancer Rounds for a personalised quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What advanced technologies does Prof. Dr. med. Michael Akbar use in Spine Surgeon treatment?
Prof. Dr. med. Michael Akbar employs the latest evidence-based tools and minimally invasive techniques relevant to Spine Surgeon. Virtual consultations and remote second opinions are also available to international patients. Contact Cancer Rounds for a detailed technology overview specific to your case.
2. What conditions does Prof. Dr. med. Michael Akbar specialize in treating?
Prof. Dr. med. Michael Akbar is a specialist in Spine Surgeon, treating a broad spectrum of conditions in this field — including both common presentations and complex, rare cases. International patients seek treatment for conditions requiring expert Spine Surgeon care in Berlin, Germany.
3. How do I book an appointment with Prof. Dr. med. Michael Akbar?
Appointments with Prof. Dr. med. Michael Akbar can be booked directly through the Cancer Rounds website or by contacting their international patient department for priority scheduling.
4. Can international patients receive treatment from Prof. Dr. med. Michael Akbar?
Yes. Cancer Rounds provides full assistance for international patients seeking treatment from Prof. Dr. med. Michael Akbar, including medical visa invitation letters, airport transfers, and local accommodation coordination.
5. What support is available for international patients?
International patients benefit from a dedicated concierge service provided by Cancer Rounds, including language interpretation, financial counselling, and pre-travel virtual consultations to review medical records before arrival.
6. Does Prof. Dr. med. Michael Akbar offer second opinions for Spine Surgeon cases?
Yes. Second opinion consultations can be arranged via Cancer Rounds for patients who wish to review their diagnosis or treatment plan with an expert Spine Surgeon specialist in Berlin, Germany.
