Scoliosis Spine Surgery Cost in India

Scoliosis

Scoliosis is the lateral curvature in a normal straight spine mostly occurring during the child's growing years. A side view shows convexity in upper back and concavity in lower back though it looks normal from front or back view. It can be seen in 3 shapes:

• single curve on left/ C shaped/ levo-scoliosis
• single curve on right/dextro-scoliosis
• two curves/ S shaped

Causes:

There can be many reasons for scoliosis, which can be categorized into:

• Congenital: Congenital scoliosis is the scoliosis present by birth due to embryonic malformation of one or more vertebrae and can occur at any location of the spine. Since scoliosis is present by birth, it is diagnosed early in life.
• Neuromuscular: Neuromuscular scoliosis is because of any neurological or muscular disease like cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy or spina bifida. Neuromuscular scoliosis generally progresses very rapidly and needs surgery.
• Idiopathic: When the exact cause of scoliosis is not known, it is ascribed as idiopathic. It accounts for 80% of all known cases of scoliosis and is usually detected during puberty.

Most cases of scoliosis are mild and do not require any surgery. However, some children develop deformities that continue to get severe as they grow, which can be disabling. Severe spinal curves can reduce the amount of space within the chest making lung functioning difficult.

Scoliosis Surgery

The aim of the scoliosis surgery is threefold:

1. Safely straighten the spine as much as possible
2. Balance the torso and pelvic areas
3. Maintain the correction for long term

This is done by two methods

1. Spinal Fusion - fusing the vertebrae along the curve
2. Supporting the spine - with rods and screws till the fusion takes place

Once the bone fuses, the spine does not move and the curve does not progress.

The surgery is done by two approaches:

Posterior (done through back) or Anterior (through sides) approach. Both have their own merits and demerits.

The surgery for treatment of scoliosis in India is done under general anesthesia and can take anywhere between 4-12 hours depending on the curve and how much the spine needs to be fused. Hospital stay of about a week is required after the surgery to make sure you are on the right healing path.

How is Scoliosis Surgery done?

1. Posterior Approach:
   • A long incision is given on whole length of thoracic spine
   • The muscles are separated from spine which gives access to the spine
   • Rods are inserted to reduce the curve and screws are used to hold them
   • Bone is inserted which causes spine fusion. Fusion progresses for 3 to 6 months but can continue up to 12 months

   Severe deformation and rigid curvature requires another prior procedure called anterior release of disc space, after which bone is added to aid in fusion.

2. Anterior Approach:

   Curves present at thoracolumbar junction (T12-L1) can be treated by anterior approach.

   • This requires open incision and rib removal. The diaphragm is released from the chest wall and the spine, so proper access is presented to the spine.
   • Disc is removed so that the spine is loosened.
   • Rods are introduced to reduce curvature and screws are used to keep it in place.
   • Disc space is introduced with bone for fusion. Fusion proceeds for 3 to 6 months, and continues for 12 months.

   Advantages of anterior approach are:

   • Number of vertebrae fused is less and allows additional segment motion.
   • The stress overload on a few segments is prevented.
   • Better aesthetic appearance is achieved with better curve reduction.

What Results Can I Expect from Scoliosis Surgery?

Scoliosis spine surgery is quite successful in stopping the curve from growing. With sophisticated techniques, doctors can straighten the curve to a great extent which improves the patient's appearance and functioning to a great extent.

What is the Recovery after Scoliosis Surgery like?

You would have a lot of pain after the surgery which would be controlled with pain medications. You would stay at the hospital for about a week to ten days to make sure you are on the right healing path. The surgeon would advise you to start walking on the second or third day of the surgery and physical therapy would begin on the third or fourth day of the surgery.

Most people return to school and work in 3-4 weeks. Full recovery can take from 4-6 months and most people can resume other activities and even sports after advice from the surgeon.