It is generally performed for spinal stenosis patients. The surgeon removes bony spurs or walls compressing the spinal column to relieve the nerve pressure.
Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are performed to fix compression fractures due to osteoporosis. The surgeon injects a glue-like bone cement that hardens and strengthens the vertebrae.
It is a slipped disc surgery that is performed to remove a herniated disc compressing the nerve root and spinal cord. It is often performed in conjunction with laminectomy.
This is performed to widen the spinal column where the nerve root exits the spinal canal in case it has narrowed due to aging.
Nucleoplasty, also called plasma disk decompression is a minimally invasive laser surgery in which the surgeon uses a plasma laser device to reduce the disk size and treat mild disk hernia.
The surgeon removes the spinal disc and fuses the adjacent vertebrae together using bone grafts or metal implants to allow the fusion of vertebrae together via the bone grafts, for example, ACDF surgery (Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion), TLIF surgery (Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion).
For people with severely damaged vertebral discs, the surgeon removes the disc and replaces it with a synthetic implant to help restore vertebral height and movement.
Spinal laminectomy/ spinal decompression – The cost of spinal laminectomy or spinal decompression may range from INR 1.4 lakh to INR 1.8 lakh in India.
Vertebroplasty/Kyphoplasty – The cost of Vertebroplasty or Kyphoplasty may range from INR 2.3 lakh to INR 3 lakh in India.
Discectomy (or Microdiscectomy) – The average cost of Discectomy may range anywhere between INR 1.4 lakh to INR 1.8 lakh in India.
Foraminotomy – The cost of Foraminotomy may range between INR 1.8 lakh to INR 2.5 lakh in India.
Spinal Fusion – The cost of Spinal Fusion in India can be anywhere between 2.5 lakh to INR 5 lakh.
Artificial Disk Replacement – Artificial disk replacement surgery in India costs between INR 2 lakh to INR 4 lakh in India.
Lumbar Interbody Fusion – The cost of Lumbar Interbody Fusion ranges from INR 2.5 lakh to INR 4 lakh in India.
The above-mentioned costs for different minimally invasive spine surgeries are like to change based on the following factors:
- The consultation fee of the spine surgery specialist
- The age of the patient
- Admission fee at the hospital
- Type of surgery performed
- The medical condition of the patient
- Post-surgical complications involved, if any
- The hospital and the category of the room the patient opts for
- Any other lab tests and examination tests such as ECG, X-rays, etc.
Preparation before a spine surgery includes both physical and psychological aspects. Depending upon the condition of the injury, the doctor is likely to guide the patients with everything necessary. However, here are a few points that may come in handy for anyone planning spine surgery.
Gather all necessary information about spine surgery – The key to preparation for any surgery is being well informed about it. Talk to the doctor, the medical staff, and acquire all important information about the procedure, medicines, the cost, and anything else that comes to your mind. The more well-informed a person is about the surgery, the better he/ she is likely to do postoperatively.
Don’t stop moving – We understand it is tough to live with constant back pain. Even then, it is recommended to be physically active as much as possible. Going stagnant may add to complications during the surgery. Stay physically active, try to achieve a healthy weight. This can speed up the recovery process and enhance blood circulation too.
Don’t take any anti-inflammatory drugs – You should stop taking drugs like ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin before the surgery. Blood thinners can increase the risk of complications during the surgery. If you are taking any over-the-counter pills, it is essential that you inform your doctor.
Keep realistic expectations – Don’t expect the surgery to fix everything. The surgery is not a guaranteed cure for the condition. Although it improves the injury symptoms to a great extent, a lot also depends on the person’s dietary and lifestyle habits too.
- George Clooney, Actor
The famous American actor, George Clooney had suffered a serious neck injury in 2005. The injury had damaged the dura mater – the fluid surrounding the spinal cord – and resulted in chronic pain and prolonged headaches. Reports say that the actor had undergone several spinal surgeries to relieve the pain.
- Usain Bolt, Athlete
The fastest man on earth had once suffered a spine problem. The Olympic star was diagnosed with curvature in his spine. In 2010, the athlete confirmed his hamstring stretching treatment and his physiotherapy sessions.
- George W. Bush, Former President of the USA
The 43rd President of the United States of America had suffered from a persistent disc problem. In 2013, he underwent a spine surgery which was kept low-profile on the internet for a long time.
- Mick Mars, Guitarist
Mick Mars, the lead guitarist of the band Mötley Crüe, was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis at the age of 17. The disorder led to hardening of his spinal cord which resulted in scoliosis, leaving him 3 inches shorter. To treat his condition, he underwent hip replacement surgery in 2004.
- Tony Romo, Footballer Player
The American football player had suffered a herniated disc in his lower back that resulted in a pinched nerve. He suffered prolonged pain from the injury. In 2013, the sportsperson underwent a minimally invasive surgery (microdiscectomy), in which a small part of his herniated disc was removed in order to relieve him of his pressure.
- Boman Irani, Actor
Bollywood actor Boman Irani was diagnosed with a herniated disc at lumbar segments 4 and 5. Although the actor tried physical therapy, the pain stubbornly kept coming back.
Myth 1: Spine surgeries are always major surgeries
Fact: Not all spine surgeries are major. Minimally invasive spine surgeries involve small incisions instead of large cuts and can allow a person to get back to regular life within the shortest possible time. Spine surgery, over the years, has become simpler, faster, and safer. There is not much scarring involved either. In short, nothing much to worry about.
Myth 2: recovery after spine surgery is very painful.
fact: Of course, there is some amount of pain after the surgery, but it is bearable. The pain also gradually starts to decline 2-3 days after the surgery. As time passes, the pain is likely to subside. Mild pain is likely to remain for a month or so.
Myth 3: A spine specialist will always recommend surgery.
Surgery is not for everyone, and your physician knows that. When you consult a spine specialist, surgery is one option they may consider depending upon the severity of the damage. In low-grade traumas, they might consider curing the back pain or instability without surgery using physical therapy or acupuncture.
Myth 4: Recovery from spine surgery takes a very long time.
It’s true that some back surgeries do take time to heal. But it is important to understand that the recovery time depends on many factors, such as your age, the part of your back being operated on, the specific procedure being performed, or your overall health. Not everybody needs the same amount of time.
Recovery from a discectomy or foraminotomy might take only a couple of weeks. On the other hand, if you have a laminectomy or fusion surgery, it can take at least three or four months after surgery for the bones to heal. In some cases, it may take up to a year for them to heal completely.