Spinal Disc Surgery in Pune | Deccan Hardikar Hospital

What is spinal disc surgery and when is it needed?

Spinal disc surgery treats damaged, deteriorated, or displaced intervertebral discs — commonly called a slipped disc or herniated disc — that compress spinal nerves and cause pain, weakness, or neurological symptoms. Spine care at Deccan Hardikar Hospital in Pune, Shivajinagar, begins with conservative management; surgery is recommended when symptoms persist, neurological deficits progress, or red-flag signs such as bladder or bowel dysfunction appear.

Deccan Hardikar Hospital, located at 1160/61, University Road, Shivajinagar, Pune 411005, is a NABH Pre-Accredited superspeciality orthopaedic and referral centre with five decades of surgical excellence serving Western Maharashtra. Our orthopaedic spine team evaluates each patient individually to determine the safest and most effective surgical approach — from microdiscectomy to spinal fusion.

Who needs spinal disc surgery?

Surgery is considered when conservative care has not provided adequate relief or when specific clinical findings indicate that delay could cause lasting harm. Candidates typically present with one or more of the following:

• Persistent radicular pain — radiating arm or leg pain (sciatica) that significantly limits daily activities despite 6–12 weeks of conservative therapy
• Progressive neurological deficits — worsening muscle weakness, foot drop, or loss of grip strength
• Numbness, tingling, or pins-and-needles in the limb served by the affected nerve root that is not resolving
• Loss of reflexes and changes in gait or balance attributable to nerve compression
• Cauda equina syndrome — bladder or bowel dysfunction and saddle anaesthesia, which are medical emergencies requiring urgent surgical intervention
• Severe, disabling neck or back pain with confirmed disc herniation on MRI that has not responded to injections or physiotherapy
• Recurrent disc herniation at a previously treated level causing renewed symptoms
• Spinal instability or multi-level degenerative disc disease requiring stabilisation

How is spinal disc surgery performed at Deccan Hardikar Hospital?

The surgical pathway at Deccan Hardikar Hospital in Pune is structured, transparent, and patient-centred — from the first consultation through to post-discharge rehabilitation.

1. Initial consultation and planning: Detailed clinical history, neurological examination (motor strength, sensory mapping, reflex testing, gait analysis), and high-resolution MRI review. Goals, alternatives, risks, and recovery expectations are discussed in a shared decision-making session.
2. Preoperative optimisation: Medical clearance from anaesthesia; control of diabetes, hypertension, or other comorbidities; smoking cessation advice; blood tests, ECG, and chest X-ray as required. Electrodiagnostic testing (EMG/NCS) is arranged when nerve function assessment is needed.
3. Admission and anaesthesia: Most minimally invasive discectomies are day-case or require a 1–2 day admission. General or regional anaesthesia is selected based on the procedure and patient profile.
4. Surgical technique: For lumbar microdiscectomy, a small midline incision and muscle-splitting approach allow targeted removal of the herniated disc fragment under magnification. For endoscopic discectomy, a tubular retractor and endoscope access the disc via a small portal with minimal muscle disruption. Fusion surgeries involve placement of bone graft and instrumentation to stabilise the spine. Our operating rooms use modern microscopes, endoscopic systems, and intraoperative imaging aids for precision.
5. Immediate postoperative care: Multimodal pain control, early mobilisation under physiotherapy guidance, wound care, and thromboprophylaxis as indicated. Early walking reduces complications such as deep vein thrombosis and muscle deconditioning.
6. Discharge and follow-up: Patients receive a clear home exercise plan and restrictions on bending, lifting, and twisting. Scheduled follow-ups at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and beyond. Imaging is used selectively to confirm decompression or fusion progress.

What types of spinal disc surgery are available at Deccan Hardikar Hospital?

The choice of surgical technique depends on the disc level (cervical, thoracic, or lumbar), the size and location of the herniation, the presence of spinal instability, and individual patient anatomy. The following approaches are offered at Deccan Hardikar Hospital, Pune:

Minimally invasive techniques — microdiscectomy, endoscopic discectomy, and percutaneous discectomy — are preferred when clinically suitable, as they reduce blood loss, muscle trauma, and hospital stay. Large central herniations, multi-level disease, or spinal instability may require open procedures or fusion. Our spine surgeons discuss the most appropriate technique based on individual anatomy, goals, and expected outcomes.

What is the recovery timeline after spinal disc surgery?

Recovery varies by procedure type, patient age, overall fitness, and the presence of other medical conditions. Minimally invasive procedures such as microdiscectomy and endoscopic discectomy typically allow faster recovery than open fusion surgeries.

1. Immediate postoperative (0–72 hours): Pain is managed with oral analgesics. Patients are encouraged to mobilise early under physiotherapy guidance. Many patients are discharged within 24–48 hours following microdiscectomy or endoscopic discectomy.
2. Early recovery (1–4 weeks): Gradual increase in walking and light activities. Heavy lifting, bending, and twisting are avoided. Wound checks and suture removal are performed as required.
3. Intermediate recovery (4–12 weeks): Progressive strengthening and flexibility programmes with physiotherapy. Return to desk work is often possible within 2–6 weeks depending on symptoms and job demands.
4. Long-term recovery (3–6 months and beyond): Full functional recovery, sport-specific rehabilitation, and return to more strenuous activities are guided by the clinical team. Fusion surgeries require longer timelines, with radiographic evidence of bone healing assessed at 3–6 months or beyond.

What are the risks and considerations of spinal disc surgery?

As with any surgical procedure, spinal disc surgery carries potential risks. Being fully informed helps patients weigh benefits and make decisions in partnership with their care team. Our surgeons at Deccan Hardikar Hospital provide detailed consent discussions and realistic expectations before any procedure.

• Infection — risk is minimised through strict sterile protocols and perioperative antibiotics where indicated
• Bleeding — careful surgical technique and preoperative optimisation reduce this risk
• Nerve injury — potential for persistent or worsened neurological symptoms; use of magnification and intraoperative imaging reduces this risk
• Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak — a recognised complication managed intraoperatively or postoperatively
• Recurrent disc herniation at the same level — patients are counselled on activity modification and core strengthening to reduce recurrence
• Adjacent segment disease after fusion — long-term follow-up is arranged to monitor spinal levels above and below the fusion
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) — prevented through early mobilisation and thromboprophylaxis protocols
• General anaesthesia-related complications — assessed and minimised during preoperative medical clearance
• Incomplete symptom relief — not all patients achieve full resolution; realistic expectations are discussed before surgery

Our team deploys multiple strategies to minimise these risks: careful patient selection, preoperative optimisation of chronic conditions, experienced surgical technique with modern equipment, enhanced recovery protocols, and comprehensive postoperative monitoring. Patients are encouraged to ask questions and, where appropriate, seek a second opinion before proceeding.

What does spinal disc surgery cost in Pune, and is it covered by insurance?

The cost of spinal disc surgery in Pune varies depending on the type of surgery, implants used, length of hospital stay, and associated services such as imaging, physiotherapy, and surgeon fees. The table below provides indicative ranges to assist with financial planning; exact estimates are provided after clinical assessment at Deccan Hardikar Hospital.

Many insurance plans in India cover medically necessary spine surgeries; however, coverage varies by policy and pre-authorisation may be required. Deccan Hardikar Hospital's billing team assists with insurance paperwork, cost breakdowns, and flexible payment options to make spine care accessible. For urgent or emergency spine surgery in Pune, our team also provides guidance on timely authorisation and financial counselling.

Who are the spine and orthopaedic surgeons at Deccan Hardikar Hospital?

Spinal disc surgery at Deccan Hardikar Hospital in Pune is performed by a team of qualified orthopaedic and spine specialists. Each surgeon brings formal postgraduate credentials and subspecialty training to their practice.

• Dr. Ranjeet Rajure — MBBS, DNB, FISS (Spine) — Spine Specialist
• Dr. Madan Hardikar — MBBS, MS (Orthopaedics) — Orthopaedic Surgeon
• Dr. Onkar Lande — MBBS, Orthopaedics — Orthopaedic and Joint Specialist
• Dr. Sachin Nagapurkar — MBBS, DNB, FPOS (Ortho) — Orthopaedic Surgeon
• Dr. Saurabh Giri — MBBS, MS (Orthopaedics), Fellowship in Revision Surgery Hip and Knee Arthroplasty — Orthopaedic Surgeon
• Dr. Sharad Hardikar — MBBS, MS (Orthopaedics) — Orthopaedic Surgeon

Our orthopaedics department at Deccan Hardikar Hospital operates as a superspeciality referral centre for trauma and orthopaedic cases across Western Maharashtra, backed by five decades of surgical experience and NABH Pre-Accreditation from the Quality Council of India.