The spine allows us to move around by providing strength and stability to our body. Furthermore, the spinal cord is protected by the spinal bones or vertebrae. Therefore, an expert orthopedic surgeon is required to handle any issues on the spine.
Back pain or other crippling conditions is usually first treated with minimally invasive treatments, like pain injections. If these treatments are ineffective the orthopedist may perform minimally invasive spine surgery to treat the pain.
An Overview of Back Pain and Spine Surgery
People frequently see their doctor for back pain, and conservative measures like physical therapy and anti-inflammatory drugs can often provide relief. Surgical intervention may be necessary to treat deformities of the spine, infections of the spine, trauma, tumors of the spine, and certain degenerative conditions of the spine, including herniated disks and stenosis. Seeking advice from a highly experienced spine surgery team makes sense for the best results.
In a traditional open surgery method, a long incision is made across the spine to access the spine’s bones and spinal cord. The surgeon separates muscle and soft tissue to perform the surgery. Modern techniques allow the use of a smaller incision and the insertion of a tube, enabling minimally invasive spine surgery and the insertion of tiny surgical instruments through it. Complications are less likely to occur and recovery times are also shortened with minimally invasive procedures.
What Conditions Can Be Treated With Spine Surgery
Non-surgical methods are the first option for treatment of back pain. Surgery is typically performed only when other treatment options fail to treat the conditions. Surgical intervention may be appropriate for the following conditions:
- Herniated discs or ruptured discs – One or more of the disks that cushion the spine’s bones get damaged
- Spinal stenosis – A narrowing of the spinal column that presses against the spinal cord and nerves
- Spondylolisthesis – A condition where one or more of the spine’s bones move out of position.
- Vertebral fractures – Resulting from osteoporosis or trauma to the spine’s bones
- Degenerative disk disease, or aging-related damage to the spinal disks.
Who Is A Good Candidate For Spine Surgery
Surgery is not considered a first option for treating spine issues. Most of the time patients are first treated with non-invasive methods such as physiotherapy, pain medications, and steroid injections. If none of this treatment approach provides relief to the patients then only surgery is considered.
For example, if a patient has significant neurogenic pain, surgical intervention is the best course of action if non-surgical management has not relieved a patient’s neurogenic pain in the extremities. If non-surgical management proves ineffective for a patient exhibiting symptoms of spinal cord or nerve root compression, such as severe weakness in an arm, leg, or limb, surgery will be suggested.
Cost of Spine Surgery in India
Spine surgery cost in India starts from Rs. 3,91,000 to Rs. 6,65,000 (3500 USD to 8000 USD) which is comparatively in respect to other countries such as Thailand, Russia, and certain European countries. India is a desirable location for people looking for inexpensive spine surgical procedures since it has established a reputation for offering high-quality healthcare at a significantly lower cost than many Western nations. However, it can vary based on the type of procedure, complexity, and the facilities provided by the hospital.
| Starting Cost | Rs. 2,91,000 (3500 USD) |
| Average Cost | Rs. 3,75,000 (4500 USD) |
| Maximum Cost | Rs. 6,65,000 (8000 USD) |
Starting Average Prices in Different Cities:
| Cities | Starting Price |
| Delhi | Rs 2,91,000 (3500 USD) |
| Gurgaon | Rs 2,66,000 (3200 USD) |
| Noida | Rs. 2,50,000 (3000 USD) |
| Mumbai | Rs 2,91,000 (3500 USD) |
| Hyderabad | Rs. 2,50,000 (3000 USD) |
| Chennai | Rs 2,91,000 (3500 USD) |
| Kolkata | Rs. 2,50,000 (3000 USD) |
| Bangalore | Rs 2,91,000 (3500 USD) |
Diagnosis to Assess Spinal Injury and Its Severity
You may need to undergo several tests in order to gain a better understanding of your back pain including:
- Bone scan -This can determine the origin of back pain by detecting infections, bone fractures, and diseases like cancer.
- Diagnostic imaging: An internal picture of the body can be obtained by imaging tests like MRIs, CT scans, and X-rays. These images can help identify the source of pain.
- Diskography: A dye that shows up on X-rays and other scans will be injected into your back by your doctor. After that, a computed tomography (CT) scan is used to get pictures. Any disk damage can be seen on diskography.
- Electrical tests: To look at the electrical activity in the muscles and nerves, tests like electromyography are performed. In an evoked potential study, the rate at which electrical signals move from the nerve to the brain is measured. Nerve conduction studies (NCS) are used to quantify the function of the nerves.
Types of Spine Surgery
For people with back pain, there are various kinds of spinal surgery that can be helpful, such as the following:
- Lumbar Decompression Surgery – Spinal stenosis, or narrowing of the spinal canal, is treated with lumbar decompression surgery, also known as a lumbar laminectomy. To relieve the severe pain and pressure on the spine, the surgeon will either remove the entire or a portion of the lamina.
- Lumbar Discectomy – A lumbar discectomy is a type of spine surgery performed on a patient who has a damaged disc in their lower back. Open spine surgery and minimally invasive arthroscopic discectomy are the two types of lumbar discectomy procedures. The more popular treatment for a lumbar herniated disc is open spine surgery.
- Herniated Disc Surgery – The injured disc may be removed entirely or in part by the surgeon during a herniated disc repair procedure. To relieve the disc pain completely, the doctor may remove the disc entirely and allow the two neighboring vertebrae to fuse together. This will permanently impair your ability to move that particular portion of your back, so you and your doctor must carefully consider your options. Nevertheless, compared to earlier times, spinal fusion surgery is far safer and less dangerous.
- Spinal Fusion Surgery – To prevent pain from the movement of two adjacent vertebrae against one another, the surgeon joins them during a spinal fusion. The vertebrae are joined by the surgeon using tiny screws and rods, and after that, they are allowed to fuse and heal naturally. To aid in the fusion of the vertebrae, the doctor might also remove a tiny piece of bone from another area of your body.
- Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty – These operations are used to treat osteoporosis-related compression fractures of the vertebrae. A bone-strengthening and hardening substance that resembles glue is injected into the patient during both procedures.
- Foraminotomy – To relieve pressure on the nerve caused by bulging disks or aged, thicker joints, the surgeon enlarges the bony hole where a nerve root leaves the spinal canal during this procedure.
Risks Associated With Spine Surgery
Certain complications can arise with spine surgery such as:
- Reaction to anesthesia
- Blood clot
- Bleeding and infections
- Paralysis
- Nerve and tissue damage
- Chronic pain
Why Dr. N. K. Magu?
Dr. N. K. Magu is an Indian orthopedic surgeon who is well renowned globally for his extraordinary talent and dedication to his profession. Over many years, Dr. N. K. Magu has proven himself to be an exceptional specialist in several orthopedic fields, especially in the areas of proximal femoral osteotomies, hip preservation, reconstruction, and related subjects. His reputation has been cemented by his continuous commitment to enhancing the quality of life for his many patients.
