Spine Surgery: Relieve Back Pain, Restore Movement

What is Spine Surgery?

Spine surgery is a procedure performed to treat problems in the spine (backbone) that cause chronic pain, numbness, or limited movement. It’s usually recommended when non-surgical treatments like physiotherapy, medication, or injections don’t provide relief.

Spine surgeries today are far more advanced — many are minimally invasive, allowing faster recovery and less pain.

When is Spine Surgery Needed?

You might need spine surgery if you have:

• Severe back or neck pain lasting more than 3–6 months
• Slipped disc (herniated disc) compressing nerves
• Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spine canal)
• Sciatica or leg pain due to nerve compression
• Spine fractures or injuries
• Scoliosis (curved spine)
• Spine tumor or infection
• Failed previous spine treatments

Symptoms That May Require Surgery

• Sharp pain in back, neck, or legs
• Numbness or tingling in arms or legs
• Weakness in muscles or difficulty walking
• Loss of bladder or bowel control (in emergencies)
• Limited flexibility or stiffness in the spine

Types of Spine Surgery

✅ Discectomy

Removal of part of a slipped disc pressing on a nerve.

✅ Laminectomy

Removal of bone or tissue pressing on spinal nerves (for spinal stenosis).

✅ Spinal Fusion

Joining two or more bones in the spine to stabilize it (common for fractures or deformities).

✅ Microdiscectomy

Minimally invasive surgery using a microscope to remove part of a herniated disc.

✅ Vertebroplasty/Kyphoplasty

Injection of bone cement into fractured vertebrae to relieve pain (mostly for osteoporosis).

✅ Artificial Disc Replacement

Replacing a damaged disc with an artificial one to maintain movement.

✅ Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MISS)

Uses small cuts, less muscle damage, and faster recovery — available for many spine problems today.

Benefits of Modern Spine Surgery

✅ Permanent relief from chronic back or neck pain
✅ Improved posture and movement
✅ Ability to return to work and daily life
✅ Minimal scarring with laser/microscope-assisted techniques
✅ Faster recovery and low hospital stay

Risks & Complications (Rare)

• Infection or bleeding
• Nerve injury (very rare with experienced surgeons)
• Spinal fluid leak
• Need for revision surgery later
• Blood clots

With proper planning and expert care, most spine surgeries are safe and highly successful.

Recovery After Spine Surgery

• Hospital stay: Usually 2–5 days (depending on procedure)
• Light walking within 1–2 days
• Physiotherapy starts early
• Full recovery: 4 to 12 weeks (based on surgery type)

Minimally invasive or laser surgeries usually offer quicker recovery than traditional open spine surgery.

Cost of Spine Surgery in India

• ₹80,000 to ₹3.5 lakhs, depending on:
• Type of surgery (discectomy, fusion, etc.)
• Use of implants or screws
• Hospital location and facilities
• Surgeon expertise

When to See a Spine Specialist

If you have persistent back or neck pain, leg numbness, or weakness that isn’t improving, it’s time to consult a spine specialist. Early diagnosis helps prevent permanent nerve damage and improves chances of full recovery.