Procedure

Spine Surgery

Most back and neck pain resolves without surgery — but when it does not, precise spinal surgery restores life quality.

Reviewed by Dr. Niranjan Ghag ·

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Spine conditions we treat

  • PIVD (Prolapsed Intervertebral Disc) — disc slip causing back pain with leg pain (sciatica) or arm pain
  • Lumbar disc herniation — lower back disc pressing on the nerve; L4-L5 and L5-S1 most common
  • Cervical disc herniation — neck disc pressing on the nerve; arm pain, numbness, weakness
  • Spinal instability and spondylolisthesis — one vertebra slipping over another; causes chronic back pain and leg symptoms
  • Lumbar canal stenosis — narrowing of the spinal canal causing back and leg pain with walking
  • Thoracic spine conditions — mid-back fractures, disc problems, deformity
  • Spinal fractures — vertebral compression fractures from osteoporosis or trauma; burst fractures from accidents
  • Chronic back pain (kamar dard / कंबरदुखी) — comprehensive assessment and treatment programme

Surgical procedures performed

  • Microdiscectomy — minimally invasive removal of the disc fragment pressing on the nerve; most patients go home within 24–48 hours
  • Lumbar spinal fusion (TLIF/PLIF) — joining two vertebrae to correct instability or spondylolisthesis
  • Cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) — disc removed from the front of the neck, vertebrae fused; highly effective for cervical PIVD
  • Laminectomy and decompression — removing bone and soft tissue to enlarge the spinal canal in stenosis
  • Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty — cement injection for painful osteoporotic vertebral fractures; pain relief within 24–48 hours
  • Thoracic spine surgery — fracture fixation and decompression for thoracic conditions

When is spine surgery actually needed?

The majority of back and neck pain gets better with physiotherapy, posture correction, appropriate pain management and time — without surgery. Surgery is recommended when:

  • Nerve compression is causing progressive weakness (foot drop, hand weakness)
  • Bladder or bowel control is affected — this is a surgical emergency
  • Severe radiculopathy (shooting pain down the arm or leg) has not responded to 6–12 weeks of conservative treatment
  • Spinal instability causing mechanical pain that limits daily function
  • Imaging confirms a structural problem that matches the symptoms precisely

Frequently Asked Questions

What is PIVD and do I need surgery for it?

PIVD (Prolapsed Intervertebral Disc) means the soft inner part of a disc has pushed out through its outer layer and is pressing on a nerve — causing back pain that radiates down the leg (sciatica) or arm. Most cases (90%) resolve with physiotherapy and pain management within 6–12 weeks. Surgery is needed when there is progressive weakness, bladder/bowel involvement, or pain that does not respond to conservative treatment.

What is the recovery from a microdiscectomy?

Most patients go home within 24–48 hours. Walking starts the same day. Light activity resumes within 1–2 weeks. Desk work typically at 2–4 weeks. Physiotherapy begins soon after surgery to strengthen the core muscles and prevent recurrence.

My MRI shows a disc bulge — does it need surgery?

An MRI finding alone is not a reason for surgery. Many people have disc bulges on MRI with no symptoms at all. Surgery is decided by the symptoms (especially weakness and bladder/bowel changes) combined with the imaging — not imaging alone.

Can I avoid spine surgery for spondylolisthesis?

Mild spondylolisthesis is often managed successfully with core strengthening, weight management and activity modification. Progressive slippage, instability causing severe mechanical pain, or nerve compression symptoms that do not respond to conservative measures are reasons to consider surgical fusion.

What is kamar dard (back pain) and when should I see a specialist?

Kamar dard (कंबरदुखी / back pain) is very common — most episodes resolve in 4–6 weeks. See a specialist if: pain shoots down the leg, you have weakness or numbness, pain started after an injury or fall, there is no improvement after 4–6 weeks of rest and basic treatment, or you are over 50 with new-onset back pain.

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