What conditions does the spine care department at Deccan Hardikar Hospital treat?

The spine care department at Deccan Hardikar Hospital in Pune treats slipped discs, sciatica, lumbar spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, cervical spondylosis, spinal fractures, and spinal cord compression. Both non-surgical management and minimally invasive surgical options are available depending on the severity and nature of the condition.

Is minimally invasive spine surgery available in Pune at Deccan Hardikar Hospital?

Yes. Deccan Hardikar Hospital in Pune specialises in Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MISS) and Endoscopic Microdiscectomy. These techniques use incisions under 1 inch, preserve back muscles, and result in significantly less post-operative pain, minimal blood loss, and a hospital stay of typically 1 to 2 days compared to 4 to 7 days for traditional open surgery.

How long does recovery take after minimally invasive spine surgery?

Most patients undergoing MISS at Deccan Hardikar Hospital are mobilised within 24 hours and discharged within 1 to 2 days. Return to desk work is typically possible within 2 to 6 weeks. A dedicated physiotherapy and neuro-rehabilitation team provides guided post-operative care from Day 1. Recovery timelines for complex spinal fusion procedures may be longer.

Is spine surgery covered by health insurance?

Spine surgery is covered by most health insurance policies. Deccan Hardikar Hospital has a dedicated TPA desk that manages pre-authorisation and documentation for cashless insurance claims. For specific queries about your policy coverage, use the booking form on this page or contact the hospital's insurance desk directly.

How do I know if I need spine surgery or if conservative treatment is sufficient?

A spine specialist at Deccan Hardikar Hospital will assess your symptoms, clinical examination findings, and imaging results to determine the appropriate treatment pathway. Many patients achieve satisfactory relief with physiotherapy and medications. Surgery is considered when conservative management has not provided adequate relief after an appropriate period, or when there is significant nerve compression or neurological deficit.

What safety measures are used during spine surgery at Deccan Hardikar Hospital?

Deccan Hardikar Hospital uses computer-assisted 3D Neuro-Navigation for precise surgical planning and screw placement, and real-time Neuromonitoring to continuously track nerve function throughout the procedure. A fully equipped Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is available for post-operative monitoring when required. The hospital is NABH Pre-Accredited, reflecting adherence to national patient safety standards.

Procedure

Spine Care in Pune | Deccan Hardikar Hospital

Deccan Hardikar Hospital in Pune offers advanced spine care for back pain, slipped discs, sciatica & spinal deformities. Minimally invasive surgery, NABH pre-accredited.

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What is Spine Care and who offers it in Pune?

Deccan Hardikar Hospital in Pune offers comprehensive spine care for disorders of the back, neck, and spinal cord — including slipped discs, sciatica, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and spinal fractures. The department combines advanced imaging, non-surgical therapies, and Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MISS) to relieve nerve compression, reduce pain, and restore mobility.

Note: Deccan Hardikar Hospital is NABH Pre-Accredited and recognised by the Quality Council of India, reflecting its commitment to patient safety and clinical quality standards.

The spine care team at Deccan Hardikar Hospital, located at 1160/61, University Road, Shivajinagar, Pune 411005, includes specialists credentialed in orthopaedics and spine surgery. The department is part of a superspeciality referral centre serving Western Maharashtra for five decades.

Who needs Spine Care — what symptoms indicate a spine evaluation?

A spine evaluation at Deccan Hardikar Hospital in Pune is recommended when any of the following symptoms are present:

Persistent back or neck pain lasting more than a few weeks and not relieved by rest
Sharp, shooting pain radiating down one or both legs (sciatica)
Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arms or legs
Heaviness or cramping in the legs while walking, relieved by sitting (neurogenic claudication)
Loss of bladder or bowel control — a medical emergency requiring immediate attention
Back pain following a fall, road accident, or osteoporosis-related compression fracture
Neck pain with numbness or tingling radiating into the hands or fingers
Visible spinal deformity or progressive curvature of the spine
Failure to improve after conservative management (physiotherapy, medications) for 6–12 weeks

Warning: Sudden loss of bladder or bowel control alongside back pain is a surgical emergency. Seek immediate care at Deccan Hardikar Hospital's Emergency and ICU department without delay.

Which spinal conditions are treated at Deccan Hardikar Hospital?

The spine care team at Deccan Hardikar Hospital in Pune provides targeted treatment for the following spinal disorders:

Slipped Disc (Herniated Disc) and Sciatica — Disc material pressing on a spinal nerve, causing leg pain, numbness, or weakness. Treated with conservative care or minimally invasive microdiscectomy.
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis — Narrowing of the spinal canal compressing nerves, causing leg heaviness and pain on walking. Managed with spinal decompression surgery.
Spondylolisthesis (Spinal Instability) — Forward slippage of one vertebra over another, causing back pain and nerve compression. Stabilised with minimally invasive spinal fusion (TLIF/PLIF) using titanium implants.
Cervical Spondylosis (Neck Pain) — Age-related degeneration of the cervical spine causing neck pain, arm numbness, or tingling. Managed non-surgically or with anterior cervical decompression surgery.
Spinal Fractures and Trauma — Compression fractures from osteoporosis or trauma, treated with Kyphoplasty or Vertebroplasty using medical-grade bone cement.

For patients also dealing with associated joint conditions, our joint replacement and care programme provides complementary expertise within the same hospital.

How is spine treatment performed at Deccan Hardikar Hospital — from evaluation to recovery?

Spine care at Deccan Hardikar Hospital follows a structured, stepwise pathway:

Initial Consultation and Clinical Assessment — A spine specialist reviews your history, performs a neurological examination, and identifies the pattern of symptoms.
Advanced Imaging — MRI, CT scan, or X-ray studies are used to precisely locate the source of nerve compression or structural instability.
Conservative Management (where appropriate) — Physiotherapy, targeted medications, and activity modification are initiated. Many patients achieve satisfactory relief without surgery.
Surgical Planning with 3D Neuro-Navigation — For patients requiring surgery, computer-assisted 3D navigation is used to plan screw placement and surgical access with precision.
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MISS) or Endoscopic Microdiscectomy — Performed through an incision under 1 inch using tubular retractors or a high-powered surgical microscope. Muscles are gently retracted rather than cut, preserving natural back strength.
Real-Time Neuromonitoring During Surgery — Continuous monitoring of nerve function throughout the procedure to protect the spinal cord and nerve roots.
Post-Operative Care and Early Mobilisation — Patients are typically mobilised within 24 hours. The dedicated physiotherapy and neuro-rehabilitation team begins guided recovery from Day 1.
Discharge and Outpatient Follow-Up — Most MISS patients are discharged within 1–2 days. Structured follow-up appointments monitor neurological recovery and functional progress.

What are the differences between traditional open spine surgery and minimally invasive spine surgery?

Deccan Hardikar Hospital in Pune specialises in Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MISS) and Endoscopic Microdiscectomy. The table below compares these approaches against traditional open spine surgery:

Parameter	Traditional Open Surgery	Minimally Invasive (MISS)
Incision Size	Large (4 to 6 inches)	Tiny (under 1 inch)
Muscle Handling	Extensive muscle cutting	Muscle-preserving retractors
Post-Op Back Pain	High	Minimal
Blood Loss	High (may need transfusion)	Negligible
Hospital Stay	4 to 7 days	1 to 2 days
Recovery and Mobility	Weeks to months	Walking within 24 hours

For patients with sports-related spinal or musculoskeletal injuries, our sports injury and arthroscopy service offers complementary care within the same facility.

What does recovery look like after spine surgery at Deccan Hardikar Hospital?

Recovery timelines vary by procedure and individual patient factors. The following milestones apply to patients undergoing Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MISS) or Endoscopic Microdiscectomy at Deccan Hardikar Hospital:

Day 1 (Surgery Day) — Most patients are mobilised and assisted to stand or walk within 24 hours of surgery. Physiotherapy assessment begins.
Days 1–2 (Hospital Stay) — Neurological status is monitored. Pain is managed with appropriate medications. Guided physiotherapy exercises commence.
Day 2 (Discharge) — Most MISS patients are discharged within 1–2 days. Detailed home-care and activity instructions are provided.
Week 1–2 — Light activities and short walks are encouraged. Wound review is conducted at the outpatient clinic.
Week 2–6 — Structured physiotherapy continues. Return to desk work is typically possible within this window for MISS patients.
Week 6 and beyond — Progressive return to normal activities under physiotherapy guidance. Follow-up imaging may be arranged to confirm surgical outcomes.

Note: Recovery timelines for traditional open spine surgery or complex spinal fusion procedures are longer. Your spine specialist will provide an individualised recovery plan at the time of consultation.

What are the risks and considerations associated with spine surgery?

All surgical procedures carry inherent risks. Patients considering spine surgery at Deccan Hardikar Hospital should be aware of the following:

Infection — Risk is reduced with MISS due to smaller incisions, but cannot be entirely eliminated. Prophylactic antibiotics are administered.
Bleeding — Blood loss is significantly lower with minimally invasive techniques compared to open surgery, but intraoperative bleeding remains a possibility.
Nerve injury — Proximity of surgical instruments to nerve roots carries a small risk of temporary or, rarely, permanent neurological change. Real-time neuromonitoring is used to minimise this risk.
Dural tear — Inadvertent tear of the membrane surrounding the spinal cord may occur and typically requires intraoperative repair.
Incomplete symptom relief — Surgery addresses structural causes of nerve compression; pre-existing nerve damage may not fully resolve after decompression.
Adjacent segment disease — Spinal fusion may over time increase stress on vertebrae adjacent to the fused segment.
Anaesthesia risks — Standard risks associated with general or regional anaesthesia apply and are assessed pre-operatively.
Recurrence — Disc herniation or stenosis may recur, particularly if underlying risk factors (obesity, poor posture, heavy lifting) are not addressed.

Your spine specialist will discuss all relevant risks and benefits in detail during your pre-operative consultation, enabling fully informed consent.

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

The spine care team at Deccan Hardikar Hospital in Pune comprises orthopaedic surgeons and spine specialists with advanced credentials:

Dr. Ranjeet Rajure — MBBS, DNB, FISS (Spine) — Fellowship-trained spine specialist.
Dr. Madan Hardikar — MBBS, MS (Orthopaedics) — Senior orthopaedic surgeon.
Dr. Onkar Lande — MBBS, Orthopaedics — Orthopaedic and joint specialist.
Dr. Sachin Nagapurkar — MBBS, DMB, FPOS Ortho — Orthopaedic specialist with paediatric orthopaedics fellowship.
Dr. Saurabh Giri — MBBS, MS (Orthopaedics), Fellowship in Revision Surgery Hip and Knee Arthroplasty — Orthopaedic surgeon with advanced revision surgery training.
Dr. Sharad Hardikar — MBBS, MS (Orthopaedics) — Orthopaedic surgeon.

To book a consultation with a spine specialist, use the booking form on this page.

Book a Spine Consultation at Deccan Hardikar Hospital

Use the booking form on this page to schedule your evaluation with our spine care team at 1160/61, University Road, Shivajinagar, Pune 411005.

The spine care department at Deccan Hardikar Hospital in Pune treats slipped discs, sciatica, lumbar spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, cervical spondylosis, spinal fractures, and spinal cord compression. Both non-surgical management and minimally invasive surgical options are available depending on the severity and nature of the condition.
Yes. Deccan Hardikar Hospital in Pune specialises in Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MISS) and Endoscopic Microdiscectomy. These techniques use incisions under 1 inch, preserve back muscles, and result in significantly less post-operative pain, minimal blood loss, and a hospital stay of typically 1 to 2 days compared to 4 to 7 days for traditional open surgery.
Most patients undergoing MISS at Deccan Hardikar Hospital are mobilised within 24 hours and discharged within 1 to 2 days. Return to desk work is typically possible within 2 to 6 weeks. A dedicated physiotherapy and neuro-rehabilitation team provides guided post-operative care from Day 1. Recovery timelines for complex spinal fusion procedures may be longer.
Spine surgery is covered by most health insurance policies. Deccan Hardikar Hospital has a dedicated TPA desk that manages pre-authorisation and documentation for cashless insurance claims. For specific queries about your policy coverage, use the booking form on this page or contact the hospital's insurance desk directly.
A spine specialist at Deccan Hardikar Hospital will assess your symptoms, clinical examination findings, and imaging results to determine the appropriate treatment pathway. Many patients achieve satisfactory relief with physiotherapy and medications. Surgery is considered when conservative management has not provided adequate relief after an appropriate period, or when there is significant nerve compression or neurological deficit.
Deccan Hardikar Hospital uses computer-assisted 3D Neuro-Navigation for precise surgical planning and screw placement, and real-time Neuromonitoring to continuously track nerve function throughout the procedure. A fully equipped Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is available for post-operative monitoring when required. The hospital is NABH Pre-Accredited, reflecting adherence to national patient safety standards.