Chandigarh has emerged as a key medical tourism hub for spine surgery with state-of-the-art hospital infrastructure and distinguished spine surgeon in chandigarh mohali trained at globally reputed institutes. In this blog, we explore the common spine problems that may require surgery, identify best spine surgeon in chandigarh along with the hospitals they practice in, costs and insurance coverage for these procedures.
Understanding Spine Anatomy and Common Spine Disorders
The spine is made up of 33 vertebrae interspaced by discs which protect the spinal cord running through the spinal canal. The spine is divided into cervical (neck), thoracic (mid back), lumbar (lower back) and sacral regions. The spinal discs act as shock absorbers allowing flexible movement for day to day functions.
Common spinal disorders involve –
- Herniated or slipped discs: Disc tear allowing inner gel to push into the spinal canal pressing on nerves which causes numbness, pain and mobility issues
- Spinal stenosis: Narrowing of spinal canal due to discs/bone spur build-up compressing the spinal cord/nerves
- Spondylitis: Inflammation of spinal joints and discs causing chronic pain and stiffness
- Scoliosis: Sideways curvature of the spine reducing flexibility and range of motion
- Vertebral fractures: Breaks in the vertebrae caused by trauma or osteoporosis
- Spinal infections: Abscess around the spinal cord causing fever, back pain and neurological defects
When Do You Need Spine Surgery?
Not all back pain episodes warrant surgery. Doctors typically recommend surgery if –
- Severe pain or neurological symptoms persist despite 3-6 months of conservative treatment with pain medication, physiotherapy and lifestyle changes
- Diagnostic tests confirm nerve/spinal cord compression by slipped disc, bone spur or tumor
- Inability to carry out daily activities due to reduced mobility or bladder/bowel problems
- Back problem is unstable after trauma and risks further damage without surgery
- Presence of red flags like fever, sudden weight loss along with back pain indicating a serious underlying condition
The latest advancement in spine surgery is minimally invasive keyhole surgery as opposed to open back surgery. MIS spine surgery involves a few small incisions allowing the surgeon to use an endoscope or microscope to operate on the affected area through its natural opening without cutting muscles. This results in far less pain, smaller scars, less blood loss, shorter hospital stays and faster recovery.
Life After Spine Surgery: Recovery and Results
The prognosis after spine surgery is very positive in a majority of the cases with patients seeing a significant reduction in pain, increased flexibility and return to work within 8 weeks in desk jobs or 12 weeks for manual jobs post surgery. Physical activity and exercise is encouraged after the initial healing period to prevent blood clots and build muscle endurance. However, activities like lifting heavy objects or contact sports may be restricted for up to 6 months depending on individual progress and recovery after spine surgery.
Some tips for faster recovery include – limited mobility first 1-2 weeks with extra spine support for up to 6 weeks and allowing body adequate rest to heal, keeping incisions dry/clean while monitoring any discharge or swelling, pelvic floor exercises if dealing with incontinence after surgery, hot/cold therapy for post-op pain along with medication as advised by doctors. With rigorous physical therapy and lifestyle modifications, spine hospital in Chandigarh can successfully get you back to enjoying an active pain-free life in the long run.
Concluding Note
Advancements in spine surgery have made it possible to treat chronic back pain through minimally invasive procedures allowing faster recovery. Chandigarh offers access to some of the best spine surgeon in chandigarh providing personalized diagnosis and expert care leveraging the latest surgical techniques and post-op rehab protocols. While early intervention is key, patients should thoroughly review all nonsurgical treatment options before deciding to undergo back surgery. Extensive research and getting educated on spine health remains crucial to help make this life changing decision on your path to relief from chronic pain.
