Spinal Fusion Surgery with Cost

Spinal Fusion Surgery with Cost

Spinal fusion surgery is surgery of the spinal structure which may be required  to address various symptoms arising out of different spinal conditions. In this surgery, two or more vertebrae are fused together into one long bone, with the help of screws and nuts. 

Today, we at MyMedTrip.com shall brief you on the various conditions that could lead to a spinal fusion surgery, tell you more about this spinal fusion surgery procedure, and inform you on spinal fusion surgery cost in India. We will also be relaying information to our readers on the spinal fusion surgery success rates in India and share some spinal fusion surgery pictures.

What is covered in the above mentioned cost for surgery?

This price includes surgery cost, doctor’s fee, standard prescribed tests and all standard expenses required at the hospital.

Spinal fusion surgery

Spinal fusion surgery is the joining of two or more vertebrae by using a graft bone in the spaces of the facet joints and discs. This converts the tiny vertebrae into one long bone. This surgery is recommended to treat various symptoms of spinal conditions, especially in cases of severe limited mobility. 

By eliminating the spaces of mobility altogether, it relieves the person from deformities of the spine, spinal weakness and instability, and a damaged disc. 

Conditions that require a spinal fusion surgery

When the disc-like cartilage between the small bones wears out, a spinal fusion is recommended. It is to relieve the person of the mechanical pain caused by the grinding of bones. There are various conditions that may lead to this. They are:-

1. Degenerative disc disease

Degenerative disc disease (DDD) occurs when the damage of the discs is great enough to impact the spine’s anatomical structure. The major cause of this is assumed to be the loss of proteins from fluids in the discs. This results in lesser fluid volume causing the disc to wear out. As a result of this, the spaces between the vertebrae are reduced. 

DDD can be mild or severe. It can lead to other diseases such as arthritis or scoliosis. One of the most common symptoms is pain, especially while sitting or standing for a longer duration. Treatment usually begins with physical therapy and ends in spinal fusion surgery when physiotherapy fails.

2. Spondylolisthesis

Spondylolisthesis is the displacement of a vertebra into another vertebra. It affects the lower vertebrae and occurs when the spinal disc shifts forward with one of the lower vertebrae slipping into another beneath it. The cause behind this is both genetic and environmental. 

Its symptoms become evident in extreme lower back pain, stiffness in the back and legs, thigh pain, and lower back tenderness. Treatments include back braces, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medicines, and injections.

3. Scoliosis

Scoliosis is when the normal curvature of the spine is bent sideways due to genetic or environmental factors. The curve could either be mild or degenerate into severe causing difficulty in breathing or moving around. Scoliosis is a rare disease that mostly occurs among women. It begins to become evident between the ages of 10-20. 

The symptoms include constipation caused by tightening of the intestines at the bottom, restricted movement, and pain in the back from top to bottom.  Its treatment depends on the degree to which the spine has lost its posture and ranges from physical exercises, braces, and medicines. The failure of this requires surgery.

4. Spinal stenosis

Spinal stenosis affects people mostly over the ages of 50. Here, the spinal canal narrows down due to other underlying causes such as arthritis or herniated discs. There are two kinds of stenosis occurring in either the neck area or the back area. Stenosis of the neck is called cervical stenosis and of the back is called lumbar stenosis. 

Symptoms include pain in the lower back that travels through the buttocks down the legs. It may also cause leg weakness, loss of bladder and bowel control, pain from the spine to arms, and tingling and numbness in arms and legs. 

Treatment includes painkillers, antidepressants, muscle relaxants, anti-seizure medicines, and anesthetic injections to numb the area of the pain. Surgical intervention is done only when the pain cannot be managed. 

5. Kyphosis

Kyphosis is an abnormality in the thoracic or sacrum areas where a convex curvature appears. This is a secondary disease generally caused due to degenerative disc disease, osteoporosis, multiple myeloma, a sudden injury or other developmental diseases.

 The most common cause for Kyphosis is however sheuermann’s disease, where skeletal problem causes the vertebrae to grow unevenly. Treatments include braces which work effectively in children, physical therapy, or surgery.

6. Lordosis

Lordosis is concave curvature and occurs in the lumbar or cervical areas. Lordosis in the lumbar region is more common than the cervical. 

Symptoms include a feeling of numbness, weakness, tingling, and bladder problems. Treatments include anti-inflammatory medicines and physical therapy. In severe cases surgery is the only option. 

7. Spinal disc herniation

 A spinal disc herniation is the sudden injury or excessive straining of the discs and the connective tissues surrounding it. This causes a tear in the disc ring making the vertebrae bulge out. When this occurs, chemicals are released from the torn disc ring causing inflammation. 

The other symptoms include excessive lower back pain, a tingling sensation that extends from the affected part, and physical disability. Treatments begin with the prescription of non-steroid anti-inflammatory medicines and injection of corticosteroid infused with anesthesia in the epidural area of the spinal cord. These are however short-term treatments. Surgical intervention may be required if these short-term treatments fail to improve movement and reduce pain.

8. Spinal tumor

When the tumor originating in the spine is cancerous, surgical procedures such as a spine fusion surgery are recommended to not only correct the abnormal growth but also to relieve the person from persistent back and neck pain, bladder and bowel problems, difficulty in movement. A surgery stabilizes the spine, reduces the tumor’s symptoms, and improves quality of life. 

Spinal fusion surgery procedure

Once it is decided that the patient would be undergoing surgery,, there are two ways by which it can be performed. One is anterior fusion where the incision is made from the front, and another is, posterior fusion, where the incision is made from the back. The choice of technique depends on the location and reason of the fusion, and the person’s other health conditions.

The surgery commences under general anesthesia and takes several hours. An incision is made either directly in the spine; through the neck or back, from sideways; right or left side, or from the front. 

Following this, the surrounding muscles are removed to access the spine. Once this becomes visible, the damaged and painful discs are removed. A bone graft, taken from the patient’s or donor’s pelvis, is placed along with supporting materials such as metal rods, screws, or plates. 

Sometimes the doctor may even use synthetic materials that catalyze the process of synthesizing. These materials help hold the vertebrae together till the time when the graft fuses with the vertebrae and forms a longer solid bone. 

Recovery after spinal fusion surgery

After the surgery, the patient is kept under observation till the effect of anesthesia wears off.  Following this, there is a hospital stay of three-four days during which the patient’s response to the surgery is observed. New ways of movement are taught during this time alongside a new diet. Normal diet is resumed after a week or two.

The discharge depends on how well the patient is adapting to the new methods of movement, the surgery, and his/her overall physical condition.  After the discharge, patients are provided with hip braces to hold up the spine in its place. 

It takes over a month for the bone graft to fuse with the vertebrae, after which normal activities may be resumed only with the advice of the physiotherapist. Complete recovery may range from three months up to the sixth. 

Risks of spinal fusion surgery

As with any other surgeries, there are risks in this kind of surgery as well. The doctor must be consulted prior to the surgery with regards to the possible risks. Some of the risks are:-

• Failed back surgery syndrome

This refers to the failure of the spinal fusion surgery to treat back pain problems and is one of the most common risks. The chances of developing this syndrome increases with increased complications, such as in the case of fusion surgeries of three or more levels. 

• Infection

The rate of infection of a spinal fusion surgery is 2-3%. Sometimes, infections in the bloodstream due to some other condition such as a deep cut, leads to infection in the wounded area. Redness, tenderness, swelling, wound drainage, and high fever constitute the symptoms of infections. 

Consult the doctor immediately in such cases. One must also consult the doctor if there is the requirement for another surgery such as a dental one, immediately after spinal fusion surgery.

• Blood clot

Although the patient will be prescribed medicine to prevent blood clot and rehabilitative therapy will reduce the chances of such, blood clots may be formed if the area surrounding the wound is inactive for long. Sometimes the clot may travel up to the lungs and heart and cause serious damage. Therefore, consult the doctor at once if there appears to be any large patches around the affected area.

• Nerve damage

As with any other surgical intervention, nerve damage is a possible risk. Sometimes the nerves may be hit during the ongoing surgery. The symptoms of such are tingling feeling, feeling of weakness, and inflammation in the damaged area. Physiotherapy may help alleviate the symptoms. 

• Pseudarthrosis

This is a bone fracture that results from performing physical tasks immediately after the surgery. Other underlying causes include smoking, diabetes, and advanced age.

Additionally, bleeding and poor wound healing are also possible risks of this surgery, although it occurs in special rare cases or due to surgical negligence. It is therefore important to consult a well experienced doctor, especially because the risks of developing “failed back surgery syndrome” are the highest. 

How can MyMedTrip.com help you? 

If you have decided to travel to India for Spinal fusion  surgery, you may contact us on our WhatsApp Number +91 9818 2373 91 or email us at hi@mymedtrip.com The first consultation arranged by us is free of cost! We also provide visa invitation letters and help in facilitating the medical journey to India along with a set of other services.

When you travel to India, you shall be provided with one case in charge for proper guidance through linguistic barriers, even though most of the hospitals and doctors we feature are well versed with Arabic, Russian, Bengali, and English.

If you have any further queries or questions related to Spinal fusion surgery services in India, please speak with us for any clarifications.

Frequently Asked Questions about Spinal fusion surgery

What is spinal fusion?

Spinal fusion is fusion of the spine’s two or more vertebrates into one long bone.

When is spinal fusion surgery recommended?

Spinal fusion surgery is recommended when various conditions of the spine lead to destroyed bones.

What is the spinal structure’s function?

The spine is one of the major components in our body with the help of which the body is able to move and function properly. Because the spine’s structure supports the spinal cords, it also comprises neurotransmitters that act as messengers to and from the brain.

What are the different conditions of the spine?

The various conditions of the spine are degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, scoliosis, lordosis, kyphosis, spinal stenosis, spinal disc herniation, or spinal tumor.

What are degenerative disc diseases?

Degenerative disc disease (DDD) occurs when the damage of the discs is great enough to impact the spine’s anatomical structure.

What is kyphosis?

Kyphosis is an abnormality in the thoracic or sacrum areas where a convex curvature appears

What is scoliosis?

Scoliosis is when the normal curvature of the spine is bent sideways due to genetic or environmental factors

What is spinal stenosis?

Spinal stenosis is where the spinal canal narrows down due to other underlying causes such as arthritis or herniated discs.

What kind of tests are required for spinal fusion surgery?

The tests that are required prior to the surgery are preoperative blood tests, spinal x-rays, and MRI

What kind of anesthesia is used for spinal fusion surgery?

General anesthesia.

How long does it take to recover from spinal fusion surgery?

It can take upto three months to recover from spinal fusion surgery.

What are the various risks of spinal fusion surgery?

The various risks of spinal fusion surgery are infection, blood clot, nerve damage, failed back surgery syndrome, poor wound healing etc.

How long does it take to recover from spine fusion surgery?

Recovery from spine fusion surgery may take anywhere between three- twelve months.

When can I get back to my normal diet after spine fusion surgery?

Usually, patients are allowed to get back on a normal diet after two weeks of surgery.

What are the risks associated with spine fusion surgery?

The risks associated with spine fusion surgery are infection, bleeding, blood clot, pseudoarthrosis, poor wound healing, failed back syndrome.

What is the most serious risk associated with spine fusion surgery?

The most serious risk associated with spine fusion surgery is failed back syndrome.

When to call the doctor in case of risk?

Call the doctor immediately if the candidate has high fever, drainage from the surgical site and a persistent pain that is severe.

Does spine fusion surgery correct the disease condition?

No, spine fusion surgery does not correct the diseased condition but rather treats only the symptoms.

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Shah Khalilur Rahman – Founder, MyMedTrip.com