Spinal Fusion Surgery is a worldwide performed back surgery procedure in which two or more vertebrae are joined together (fused), so that no individual movement occurs in the operated vertebral levels. The idea of the surgery is to permanently connect the vertebrae to each other. Surgeon may use plates, screws or rods to hold the vertebrae and graft in place to promote healing after spinal fusion. Once the bone graft heals, the vertebrae are permanently connected. This creates a solid piece of bone, rather than a joint that allows movement. This procedure is used primarily to eliminate the pain caused by abnormal motion of the vertebrae by immobilizing the vertebrae themselves.
What is the Success Rate of Spinal Fusion Surgery?
There have been several studies on the success rate of spinal fusion, and they all give general success rates above ninety percent. This means that ninety percent of the time successful fusion is obtained. Patients can expect a long term solution to most if not all of their back pain problems. It is not a quick fix. A well maintained physical rehabilitation schedule and good nutrition, as recommended by a physician, greatly increase the success rate and time it take to obtain them.
What is the Conditions Treated with Spinal Fusion Surgery?
Conditions treated with Spinal fusion surgery are:
degenerative disc disease
spinal disc herniation
discogenic pain
spinal tumor
vertebral fracture
scoliosis
kyphosis (i.e, Scheuermann's disease)
spondylolisthesis
spondylosis
Posterior Rami Syndrome
other degenerative spinal conditions
any condition that causes instability of the spine
How is the Preparation for Spinal Fusion Surgery?
Always inform your surgeon or nurse what medicines you are taking, even medicines or herbs without a prescription.
Days before the surgery:
If you are a smoker, you need to stop. Patients who have spinal fusion and continue to smoke may not heal as well.
Two weeks before surgery, your doctor or nurse may ask you to stop taking drugs that make it harder for your blood to clot. These include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), and other drugs like these.
If you have diabetes, heart disease, or other medical problems, your surgeon will ask you to see your regular doctor.
Talk with your doctor if you have been drinking a lot of alcohol.
Ask your doctor which drug you should still take on the day of the surgery.
Always let your doctor know about any cold, flu, fever, herpes breakout, or other illnesses you may have.
On the day of the surgery:
You will usually be asked not to drink or eat anything for 6 to 12 hours before the surgery procedure.
Take your drugs your doctor told you to take with a small sip of water.
Follow the instructions given to by the surgeon.
What are the Types of Spinal Fusion Surgery?
There are different types of Spinal fusion surgery and surgeon may recommend the type of procedure according to the patient’s condition.
Anterior Inter-body Fusion Procedure:
In an anterior spinal fusion surgery procedure the intervertebral disc is removed and the vertebrae fused together via a transverse or vertical incision over the lower abdomen. In this operation the majority of the symptomatic intervertebral disc or discs are removed and replaced with bone. This bone is obtained from the front of the pelvis, usually through the same skin incision. It may be taken as a large piece, but more commonly small pieces of bone are obtained which are then packed into a hollow implant or cage. The block of bone or the cage is then inserted between the vertebrae.
Postero-lateral Fusion Procedure:
In Postero-lateral spinal fusion surgery procedure an incision is made in the middle of the back and adjacent vertebrae is joined with screws and rods but without interfering with the disc. Small pieces of bone are usually taken from the back of the pelvis, through the same skin incision, and are placed along the back and side of the vertebrae to be fused.
Internal fixation devices generally improve the rate of fusion, but implants of this type are also associated with certain disadvantages and complications and are therefore not always used. When they are used screws, rods or plates can stay in the body forever but in some cases these implants can cause discomfort, irritation of the overlying muscles, become loose, infected or breaks, in which case they may need to be removed.
Combined Anterior & Posterior Fusion Procedure:
A combined anterior and posterior fusion surgery procedure is nothing more than performing both an anterior and postero-lateral fusion at the same time, or at least under the same anesthetics. The advantage is that the chance of achieving a fusion and of eliminating the source of symptoms is improved.
Fusion requires a process of healing which is similar to the way broken bones heal, a.
How is Recovery after Spinal Fusion Surgery?
A patient has to normally spend 3-4 days in the hospital, however, in serious cases; the hospitalization can even extend to 5-6 days. For elderly people, it is commonly recommended that after the spinal surgery, they should stay in rehabilitation centers for about a week, so that the proper patient care can be taken.
During the rehabilitation program, simple aerobic and cardiovascular exercises are taught to the older people, so that any strain on their heart or chest due to the spinal surgery is controlled effectively.
The spinal fusion process in every patient is quite different as every individual has a different body constitution. In every patient, the body heals slowly and the bone graft takes substantial time to fuse with the vertebrae.
The process of healing after the spinal fusion recovery is similar to that after a bone fracture. Spinal fusion healing time in a young and healthy adult is 4 to 6 weeks, in case of a single layer spinal fusion. In older people and people with a job that doesn't demand much physical work, the spinal fusion recovery time can take around 4 to 5 months. Read more on spine surgery recovery time.
After the spinal fusion surgery, the patients have to follow certain restrictions in their daily activities. For instance, patients have to comply with the advice of the medical expert with respect to movement of the legs.
In many cases, postoperative measures include putting braces to protect the bones. There are various types of braces that can be used.
What are the Advantages of Spinal Fusion Surgery?
In most cases, spinal fusion can eliminate the pain and other symptoms. It is important for a surgeon to explain the options, and benefits of spinal fusion surgery. There are many advantages of Spinal fusion surgery such as:
By fusing the level, there is less concern that the patient will need surgery again at that level. If the discs and/or facets are pain generators, as is often the case, a fusion will ensure that motion at the level is stopped, potentially eliminating the low back pain.
A second advantage of spinal fusion surgery is that it reduces post-decompressive deformity. Some patients develop post-laminectomy kyphosis, which is an abnormal alignment of the spine. This too can often lead to additional surgery. Similarly, a fusion can correct any deformity the patient had before surgery and ensure that the normal alignment of the spine is restored. This may reduce wear and tear (and need for future surgery) on the neighboring levels.
What are the Risks of Spinal Fusion Surgery?
As with any other surgery, there are possibilities for complications but these tend to occur less then one percent of the time. The complications that do arise are the same type as in other surgeries, such as:
Infection
Anesthetic problems
Urinary difficulties
Absent or decreased intestinal function
Laser Spine Surgery India:
The alternatives to spinal fusion surgery are intra-discal electro thermal coagulation, disc replacement, posterior dynamic stabilization and Disc regeneration.
Why Spinal Fusion Surgery in India?
The primary reason people travel abroad for a medical purpose is to save on medical treatment costs in their home country. With several leading medical tourism destinations offering world class health care at state-of-the-art facilities, yet at costs as much as half of those in Europe or North America, its is no wonder the medical tourism industry has expanded rapidly in the past decade.
India boasts volumes of its excellently maintained healthcare providers by stringent government controls on the policies for control of promotion and advertisement, thus not visible much in news papers, magazines and electronic media. But certainly as good as other regional healthcare providers like Singapore and Thailand.
Accommodation and hotels in India are another very good reason for medical tourism promotion in this country. India has very extensive network of all categories of hotels and motels. All big international chain of hotels is available in India.
Hotels in the cities are packed with features of style and living. All at affordable prices, a sound reason for patients and tourists traveling for medical tourism, to choose India as the choice destination.
You can go for Spinal fusion surgery in India in following cities:
Mumbai
Hyderabad
Kerala
Delhi
Pune
Goa
Bangalore
Nagpur
Jaipur
Chennai
Gurgaon
Chandigarh
What is the Cost of Spinal Fusion Surgery in India?
The cost of the Spinal fusion surgery is the major factor that is considered while visiting another country. Low cost is not the only criteria, patient looks for a quality output with low cost. India is proving to be much beneficial for such patients as the cost of the treatment is low without compromising the quality.
In UK the cost of Spinal fusion surgery is around 65000 $, while in India it costs approximately 5500 $.
How to Plan Spine Fusion Surgery in India with Dheeraj Bojwani Group?
With a strong emphasis on our client's safety and comfort, Dheeraj Bojwani Group provides those choosing medical tourism with choices of physicians in India that are often heads of the department and have a PhD in addition to their MD degrees.
You just have to send us a query regarding your Spine fusion surgery in India and within 24 hours an assistant from Dheeraj Bojwani Group will contact you for further details and interaction. From that point you don’t have to worry about anything. That assistant will take care of all your proceedings like arranging VISA, accommodation, appointment with the doctor with round the clock services to make your medical tour hassle free.
Some of the common countries from which patients travel to India for surgery are:
USA
UK
Canada
Australia
New Zealand
Nigeria
Kenya
Ethiopia
Uganda
Tanzania
Zambia
Congo
Sri Lanka
Bangladesh
Pakistan
Afghanistan
Nepal
Uzbekhistan
ABOUT INDIA
Located in South Asia, bordered by Pakistan, Nepal, China and Bangladesh, India is South Asia's largest, sovereign, democratic republic. India has an edge over other countries when it comes to offering comprehensive, cost-effective and timely medical care: it also offers an exotic, adventure-filled or cultural -if you wish array of destinations to discover and revel in for the travelers. Indian cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad, Goa, Bangalore, Nagpur, Kerala, Delhi, Pune, Jaipur, Chennai, Gurgaon, and Chandigarh offers best medical tourism service.
Mumbai - Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. This port city (India's largest and busiest) accounts for a major share of the government's revenue, and has one of the world's largest harbour. There are many things to love about Mumbai. One is simply the geographical names, like The Queen's Necklace and Elephanta Island, all with roots in the British Empire.
Hyderabad - Also known as City of Nizams. The city of Hyderabad has its own individual character, which is evident in the beautiful, ancient palaces and the equally modern, and state-of-the-art offices and buildings. Medical tourism at hospitals in Hyderabad combines care for your health with international tourism. The primary reason behind its surging popularity is better healthcare services at an affordable budget.
Goa - Popularly known as the ‘Rome of the East’, Goa boost of natural, magnificent churches and exquisite works of man. Plunge into the clear blue water of the large pool, or soak in the blissful sunshine on the picturesque island. Goa is an interesting location for getting your health propped up and getting those long postponed surgeries done. You have modern facilities, short waiting times and very affordable prices for procedures, hospital services and medicines.
Bangalore - The progressive and modern city of Bangalore is the state capital, being located within India's Karnataka state. Bangalore is often referred to as the country 'Garden City', due to its high concentration of parks and green spaces. Bangalore has few of the world’s best doctors and medical practitioners, who have been trained by the rigorous Indian medical education system as well as in countries like UK and USA.
Nagpur - Nagpur City has many distinctions. It is also the second greenest in India and is located at the very center of the heartland, almost equidistant from Kolkata, Chennai and New Delhi and Mumbai. The present city was founded in the early 18th century by Bhakt Buland, a Gond prince of the kingdom of Deogad in the Chhindwara district. The Nagpur District has a varied culture, as well as being in the central part of India, the market in Nagpur is flooded with products from all over India. Nagpur has few of the world’s best doctors and medical practitioners, who have been trained in countries like UK and USA.
Kerala - Natural beauty, clean air and primordial greenery amidst the vast expanse of water and sky, typifies the state of Kerala – better known as God's own country. Kerala is famous for its alternative medical therapies such as Ayurveda, which help to rejuvenate and revitalize the body. The region is also home to India’s only virgin tropical rain forest – the Silent Valley National Park, supporting an overwhelming range of life forms, many of which are highly endangered, and endemic to this part of the planet.
Delhi - "Welcome to The Capital City of India - New Delhi" Delhi is famous as Capital city of India is located in North India. Delhi is truly a symbol of the old and the new; a blend of ancient well preserved monuments and temples along with jam-packed burger joints and up market shopping malls. Delhi has state of the art Hospitals and the best qualified doctors.
Pune - Once referred to as the Oxford of the east, Punecontinues to be a stronghold for academics and culture. An array of factors like availability of efficient and experienced doctors, comparatively low treatment costs, hospital facilities of international standards and many more have made Pune one of the top destinations for medical tourism.
Jaipur - Jaipur is one of the most popular destinations on a tourist's itinerary. The magnificent forts, beautiful havelis and colourful bazaars make Jaipur a popular tourist destination among tourists. Jaipur has pioneered health and medical tourism in India.
Chennai - Chennai is one of the most developed urban centers in the Indian subcontinent. The city forms the capital of Tamil Nadu state and is the fourth largest metropolitan city in India. They have some of the very best hospitals and treatment centers in the world. Each hospital is equipped with state of the art facilities. The technology brought into practice is the very latest, including robotic surgery.
Gurgaon - Located in the National Capital Region, Gurgaon is one of the most rapidly growing cities in Greater Delhi. In the last few years Gurgaon has boomed as the hub of IT and other new-age businesses. Gurgoan is the latest destination for Medical Tourism in India as it is the latest modern upcoming city near Delhi.
Chandigarh - Located near the foothills of Shivalik range of the Himalayas, Chandigarh is one of the most beautiful and happening cities of India. Chandigarh has great potential for Medical tourism as the unpolluted and excellent environs give many opportunities to patients to recover from their illness.
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