Spine Surgery & Microdiscectomy in Chennai
Under the leadership of Dr. D. R. Shankar (M.S., M.Ch. Neurosurgery), F.O.R. Hospital provides advanced cranial and spinal care. Our focus on micro-invasive spine surgery minimizes incision sizes and muscular dissection, leading to faster recovery and one of the lowest documented complication rates in Chennai.
Common Symptoms & Signs
Underlying Causes & Risk Factors
- Herniated or Extruded Intervertebral Disc (L4-L5, L5-S1, C5-C6)
- Lumbar Spinal Canal Stenosis and Spondylolisthesis
- High-velocity vehicular road traffic spine trauma
- Severe Osteoporosis causing vertebral collapse
When is Surgery Recommended?
- Persistent sciatica unresponsive to 6 weeks of dedicated physiotherapy and rest
- Progressive motor weakness (foot drop, hand grip loss)
- Cauda Equina Syndrome (emergency decompression required within 24 hours)
Procedure Overview & Surgical Technique
Carried out under operative magnification using specialized tubular micro-retractors. The herniated disc fragment compressing the nerve root is cleanly excised without destabilizing adjacent spinal ligaments. For fragile elderly patients, percutaneous Vertebroplasty restores vertebral height with bone cement under C-ARM fluoroscopy.
Recovery Timeline & Post-Op Rehabilitation
Patients sit up and walk the morning following microdiscectomy. Return to light desk work within 10 to 14 days.
Lead Surgical Consultant
Dr. D. R. Shankar
Dr. D. R. Shankar is a distinguished Neurosurgeon and Gold Medalist from Madras Medical College (MMC), Chennai. He holds specialized expertise in all cranial and spinal neurosurgeries, including brain tumors, neuro-trauma, cervical/lumbar disc prolapse, endoscopic discectomy, and minimally invasive spine stabilization (Vertebroplasty/Kyphoplasty). Under his leadership, the hospital maintains one of the lowest spine surgery complication rates in Chennai.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I be bedridden after spine surgery?
No. Modern micro-surgical techniques allow patients to walk within 12 to 24 hours after surgery. Prolonged bed rest is a myth of the past.
What is Vertebroplasty for spine fracture?
It is a 30-minute daycare procedure where bone cement is injected via needle into a fractured vertebral body, providing immediate pain relief for elderly patients without open surgery.
Book Surgical Evaluation
Meet our senior surgeons for clinical examination and implant planning.