Latest news with #VBT
Forbes
30-04-2025
- Forbes
5 Easy European E-Bike Trips For 2025
E-biking in Portugal with Macs Adventure Whether you call them e-bikes or electric-assist bikes, these battery-boosted bicycles offer a new way to see the world. According to the Adventure Travel Trade Association, cycling with e-bikes was a top-trending European activity in 2024. E-bikes are heavier than a conventional bike, but relatively simple to ride. Yet it's important to know that these bikes must still be pedaled. Their small motor allows you to add a power boost while pedaling, shifting gears, and balancing, which are pretty much the same as on a conventional bike. What they really do is open up a whole new world of cycling, especially for those who want to explore hillier places or don't have the endurance to go on self-generated pedal power alone. They also allow you to ride with a companion who might be a stronger or more accomplished rider and has chosen to ride a conventional road or touring bike. They're ideal for couples of mixed biking ability to ride together and for multi-generational groups of riders. Here's what some major travel companies offer in 2025, on trips that were available at press time. Macs Adventure has many self-guided e-bike trips, including Cycle from Minho to Porto. The eight-day trip starts at the spa town of Monção at the Spanish border, includes a stop in Barcelos, located on the Camino de Santiago pilgrim trail, and finishes at the colorful city of Porto. It's a ride that offers Portugal's astounding Atlantic coastline and coastal nature reserves. Accommodation is in comfortable four-star hotels, and two wine tastings are included. Rated moderate, it's priced from $1,950 per person. The cost of an e-bike is an additional $250. E-biking in Slovenia with Trek Travel. Trek offers a Slovenia Bike Tour: From Lake Bled to Italy along the Goriška Brda Wine Region. This six-day ride includes a pletna boat ride on Lake Bled, an opportunity to explore the medieval town of Cividale del Friuli, and a ride through the wine region of the Goriška Brda region. The trip continues to Slovenia's only national park, Triglav National Park, and the glacial Lake Bohinj. Riders also cross the Slovenia-Italy border to the Fusine Lakes in the Julian Alps. Rated difficulty level 3 (out of 4), the cost is $4,399 per person. E-biking in Provence with Backroads The Provence Luberon to Lavender Country Easygoing E-bike Tour is a dedicated e-bike trip from Backroads. One of their Dolce Tempo trips, with a more relaxed pace, you bike from Saignon to Mane-de-Provence, through beautiful villages such as Bonnieux, Roussillon, and Gordes, past vineyards and lavender fields. The trip includes two nights at Les Couvent des Minimes, a 17th-century convent transformed into a spa hotel by L'Occitane. The final night's dinner is at the Michelin-starred Le Feuillée. This six-day trip is priced from $5,799. Puglia e-biking with VBT. VBT has chosen the coast of Puglia for this off-the-beaten-path guided e-bike trip. Italy: Puglia's Undiscovered Coast is a seven-day excursion with overnights in luxurious masserie, restored fortified farms typical of the area. The biking route includes some of the most historic towns in the region, such as Monopoli, the walled city of Acaya, and Otranto, a town built by the Greeks. It's a trip that combines seaside views with olive groves and historic towns. Rated easy, the seven-day trip is priced from $5,145. Biking in Costa Brava with ExperiencePlus! Bicycling Catalonia's Costa Brava is an eight-day trip from ExperiencePlus! The ride begins in Girona and continues east towards Costa Brava and the rolling hills of the Emporda region. This journey, filled with Roman ruins and medieval towns, finishes in Figueres, the birthplace of Salvador Dali. The trip is rated Classic 2.5 (on a scale of 1 to 5). The price is $4,950, and there's a $250 surcharge for a hybrid e-bike.
Gulf Today
16-04-2025
- Health
- Gulf Today
NMC Royal Hospital, Khalifa City performs Abu Dhabi's first-ever minimally invasive Vertebral Body Tethering (VBT) surgery for scoliosis correction
Gulf Network In a groundbreaking medical milestone, NMC Royal Hospital, Khalifa City successfully performed the first-ever Vertebral Body Tethering (VBT) surgery in the UAE, offering a revolutionary approach to scoliosis correction and spinal deformity treatment. The pioneering procedure was led by Dr. Ziad Aljian, Senior Consultant Spine Surgeon and Scoliosis Expert, who holds a German Board certification in orthopedic spine surgery and has over 20 years of experience in the field. The patient, an 11-year-old child diagnosed with severe thoracolumbar scoliosis, faced a progressive spinal deformity resulting in a pronounced thoracic hump, severe lung compression, and misalignment of the shoulders and pelvis that caused a tilt. Given the child's continued growth and worsening condition, a timely and innovative intervention was necessary as a traditional spinal fusion was not suitable in this specific case. Following thorough consultations with the patient's family, including the father, a fellow doctor, Dr. Aljian and his team opted for Vertebral Body Tethering (VBT) - an advanced, minimally invasive surgical technique. The procedure was performed successfully using small incisions, minimising post-surgical discomfort and ensuring a quicker healing process and recovery. Unlike traditional spinal fusions, which halts the spine's growth, VBT allows the spine to continue growing naturally while correcting its curvature overtime. This procedure involves placing a flexible tether along the spine, providing dynamic correction and ensuring the spine remains mobile and flexible as the child grows. This preservation of natural growth makes VBT a revolutionary treatment option for pediatric scoliosis, offering not just spinal correction but an improved quality of life. 'VBT represents a breakthrough for scoliosis care in the UAE, allowing young patients to maintain mobility while effectively correcting spinal deformities,' said Dr. Ziad Aljian. 'By using a minimally invasive approach, we significantly reduce hospital stays, accelerate recovery, and enable our patients to return to normal activities much faster. I am proud to bring this cutting-edge technique to NMC Healthcare.' NMC Royal Hospital, Abu Dhabi, which houses a specialised Spine and Orthopedics Department is recognised for offering cutting-edge spinal treatments. NMC Healthcare has been at the forefront of spinal care, with its hospitals, including NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Nahda, Dubai, adopting robotic-assisted spine surgery and minimally invasive spinal procedures. The successful implementation of VBT at NMC Royal Hospital Abu Dhabi underscores its commitment to providing medical excellence in advanced spine surgery to the UAE.
Khaleej Times
16-04-2025
- Health
- Khaleej Times
NMC Royal Hospital, Khalifa City performs Abu Dhabi's first-ever minimally invasive vertebral body tethering (VBT) surgery for scoliosis correction
Unlike traditional spinal fusions, which halts the spine's growth, VBT allows the spine to continue growing naturally while correcting its curvature overtime In a groundbreaking medical milestone, NMC Royal Hospital, Khalifa City successfully performed the first-ever vertebral body tethering (VBT) surgery in the UAE, offering a revolutionary approach to scoliosis correction and spinal deformity treatment. The pioneering procedure was led by Dr Ziad Aljian, senior consultant spine surgeon and scoliosis expert, who holds a German Board certification in orthopedic spine surgery and has over 20 years of experience in the field. The patient, an 11-year-old child diagnosed with severe thoracolumbar scoliosis, faced a progressive spinal deformity resulting in a pronounced thoracic hump, severe lung compression, and misalignment of the shoulders and pelvis that caused a tilt. Given the child's continued growth and worsening condition, a timely and innovative intervention was necessary as a traditional spinal fusion was not suitable in this specific case. Following thorough consultations with the patient's family, including the father, a fellow doctor, Dr. Aljian and his team opted for vertebral body tethering (VBT) - an advanced, minimally invasive surgical technique. The procedure was performed successfully using small incisions, minimising post-surgical discomfort and ensuring a quicker healing process and recovery. Unlike traditional spinal fusions, which halts the spine's growth, VBT allows the spine to continue growing naturally while correcting its curvature overtime. This procedure involves placing a flexible tether along the spine, providing dynamic correction and ensuring the spine remains mobile and flexible as the child grows. This preservation of natural growth makes VBT a revolutionary treatment option for pediatric scoliosis, offering not just spinal correction but an improved quality of life. "VBT represents a breakthrough for scoliosis care in the UAE, allowing young patients to maintain mobility while effectively correcting spinal deformities," said Dr Ziad Aljian. "By using a minimally invasive approach, we significantly reduce hospital stays, accelerate recovery, and enable our patients to return to normal activities much faster. I am proud to bring this cutting-edge technique to NMC Healthcare." NMC Royal Hospital, Abu Dhabi, which houses a specialised Spine and Orthopedics Department is recognised for offering cutting-edge spinal treatments. NMC Healthcare has been at the forefront of spinal care, with its hospitals, including NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Nahda, Dubai, adopting robotic-assisted spine surgery and minimally invasive spinal procedures. The successful implementation of VBT at NMC Royal Hospital Abu Dhabi underscores its commitment to providing medical excellence in advanced spine surgery to the UAE.
