Cervical Spine Surgery
What is Cervical Spine Surgery?
Cervical spine surgery addresses conditions affecting the neck portion of the spine (C1–C7 vertebrae) to relieve pain, restore stability, and prevent or treat neurological deficits. It is often performed for degenerative diseases, trauma, or tumors impacting the cervical spine. In India, cervical spine surgery is conducted in neurosurgery or orthopedic spine surgery departments at hospitals like Apollo, Fortis, Medanta, and AIIMS, offering advanced care at affordable costs. Understanding the procedure, costs, recovery, risks, and frequently asked questions (FAQs) is essential for patients and families in India to make informed decisions.
Why do you need Cervical Spine Surgery?
Cervical spine surgery is indicated for:
- Degenerative conditions:
- Cervical disc herniation: Disc bulge compressing nerves/spinal cord, causing neck pain, arm pain (radiculopathy), or weakness.
- Cervical spondylosis: Age-related wear causing stenosis (narrowing), leading to myelopathy (spinal cord dysfunction) or radiculopathy.
- Trauma:
- Fractures or dislocations (e.g., from accidents) causing instability or cord compression.
- Tumors:
- Primary (e.g., chordoma) or metastatic tumors compressing the spinal cord.
- Infections:
- Spinal epidural abscess or osteomyelitis causing pain or neurological deficits.
- Deformities:
- Cervical kyphosis (abnormal forward tilt) causing pain or cord compression.
- Failed prior surgery:
- Revision surgery for persistent symptoms or hardware failure.
The procedure aims to decompress nerves or the spinal cord, stabilize the spine, and restore alignment, often using techniques like discectomy, fusion, or artificial disc replacement.
Why Do Cervical Spine Surgery Costs Vary in India?
Costs range from ₹1.5 lakh to ₹6 lakh :
- Procedure Type: ACDF single level (₹1.5–3 lakh), multilevel or posterior fusion (₹3–5 lakh), ADR (₹4–6 lakh).
- Hospital/Location: Higher in metro cities (Apollo, Fortis); lower in government hospitals (AIIMS, ₹50,000–₹1.5 lakh).
- Surgeon’s Expertise: Experienced neurosurgeons/orthopedic spine surgeons charge more.
- Additional Costs: Hardware (plates/screws: ₹30,000–₹1 lakh), MRI/CT (₹5,000–₹15,000), hospital stay, physiotherapy.
- Insurance: Covered for symptomatic or neurological conditions; Ayushman Bharat offers subsidies.
Cervical Spine Surgery Procedure
- Before Surgery Evaluation:
- Diagnosis:
- MRI or CT scan identifies disc herniation, stenosis, fractures, or tumors.
- X-rays (flexion/extension views) assess stability and alignment.
- Electromyography (EMG) or nerve conduction studies confirm nerve compression.
- Blood tests ensure fitness for surgery (e.g., coagulation, hemoglobin).
- Medications: Pain relief (e.g., NSAIDs), muscle relaxants, or steroids for inflammation.
- Consent: Risks, including neurological deficits or infection, are explained.
- Diagnosis:
- Surgical Techniques:
- Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF):
- Most common, performed under general anesthesia, lasting 1–3 hours.
- A 3–5 cm incision is made on the front of the neck (usually right side).
- The trachea and esophagus are retracted, and the disc is accessed.
- The herniated disc is removed, decompressing the nerve/spinal cord.
- A bone graft (autograft from the patient’s hip or allograft) or synthetic cage (e.g., PEEK) is inserted into the disc space.
- A titanium plate and screws stabilize the vertebrae, promoting fusion.
- Posterior Cervical Laminectomy/Fusion:
- Used for multilevel stenosis or posterior pathology, lasting 2–4 hours.
- A midline incision (5–10 cm) is made at the back of the neck.
- The lamina (bone covering the spinal canal) is removed to decompress the cord.
- Fusion with rods/screws may be added for stability if multiple levels are involved.
- Artificial Disc Replacement (ADR):
- Alternative to fusion for younger patients with disc herniation, preserving motion.
- The disc is replaced with a prosthetic device (e.g., Mobi-C) via an anterior approach.
- Corpectomy:
- For severe compression (e.g., tumors, fractures), a vertebral body is removed and reconstructed with a cage and plate.
- Intraoperative Tools:
- Neuromonitoring: Tracks nerve function to avoid damage.
- Fluoroscopy: Real-time X-ray ensures proper hardware placement.
- Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF):
- After Surgery:
- ICU or ward monitoring for 1–3 days; hospital stay of 2–5 days.
- Pain management: IV analgesics (e.g., morphine) for 1–2 days, then oral (e.g., paracetamol).
- Neck brace (cervical collar) for 2–6 weeks (ACDF/fusion) to support healing; not needed for ADR.
- Physical therapy starts within 1–2 weeks to improve mobility and strength.
- X-rays at 6–12 weeks confirm fusion or hardware position.
Recovery After Cervical Spine Surgery
- Hospital Stay: 2–5 days; longer (5–10 days) for complex cases or complications.
- Post-Surgery Care:
- Pain: Neck/arm discomfort for 1–2 weeks, managed with analgesics; nerve pain may improve gradually.
- Activity: Light walking on day 1; avoid bending/twisting neck or heavy lifting for 6–8 weeks.
- Cervical collar: Worn for 2–6 weeks (fusion); not typically needed for ADR.
- Physical therapy: Starts at 1–2 weeks; focuses on neck mobility, posture, and strength.
- Driving: Avoid for 4–6 weeks until collar is removed and neck mobility improves.
- Diet: Normal diet; high-protein foods (e.g., eggs, lentils) support healing; 2–3 liters water daily.
- Follow-Up:
- Visits at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 3 months; X-rays monitor fusion/hardware.
- Neurological assessment for improvement in weakness or numbness.
Most resume normal activities in 6–8 weeks (ACDF/ADR) or 8–12 weeks (posterior fusion). Symptom relief occurs in 80–90% of cases; fusion success is 95% for single-level ACDF.
Risks and Complications
- Surgical Risks: Bleeding (1–3%), infection (1–3%), esophageal injury (anterior approach, <1%).
- Neurological Complications:
- Nerve/spinal cord injury (1–2%): Weakness, numbness, or paralysis (rare).
- Dysphagia (swallowing difficulty, 5–10% with anterior approach), usually resolves in weeks.
- Hardware-Related: Screw/plate loosening (1–3%), graft failure (2–5%).
- General Risks: Anesthesia reactions, blood clots (DVT, 1–2%), hoarseness (recurrent laryngeal nerve irritation, 2–5%).
- Long-Term: Adjacent segment disease (5–10% over 10 years), chronic pain, non-union (failure to fuse, 5%).
Report fever, severe pain, or neurological changes promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What causes the need for cervical spine surgery?
Degenerative disc disease, herniation, trauma, tumors, infections, or deformities causing pain or neurological deficits.
Can surgery be avoided?
Non-surgical options (e.g., physiotherapy, injections) may help mild cases, but surgery is needed for severe compression or neurological deficits.
Will I lose neck mobility?
Fusion reduces motion at the operated level (10–20% overall loss); ADR preserves more motion but isn’t suitable for all cases.
How soon can I resume activities?
Light activities in 1–2 weeks, normal routines in 6–12 weeks.
Is cervical spine surgery covered by insurance in India?
Yes, for symptomatic or neurological conditions; confirm with your provider.
Signs of complications?
Fever, severe pain, swallowing difficulty, or new weakness/numbness.
Will the symptoms return?
Symptom relief in 80–90%; adjacent segment disease (5–10%) may cause issues years later.
Lifestyle changes post-surgery?
Avoid heavy lifting for 6–8 weeks, maintain good posture, continue physiotherapy, and attend regular follow-ups.
Conclusion
Cervical spine surgery effectively addresses neck-related issues, with high success rates for pain relief and neurological improvement. India’s top hospitals (Apollo, Fortis, AIIMS) offer affordable, expert care using advanced techniques. Understanding the procedure, costs, recovery, risks, and FAQs helps patients approach surgery confidently. Consult a neurosurgeon or spine surgeon for personalized guidance and optimal outcomes.
Looking for Best Hospitals for Cervical Spine Surgery
Note: we are not promoting any hospitals
we are not promoting any hospitals we sourced all the details from google and hospitals website, please verify and start with your surgery here we go the list includes government, budget and superspeciality hospitals accreditation bodies are the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) and the Joint Commission International (JCI)
- click on your city and schedule your surgery now done in good hands.
| City | Minimum Price (₹) | Maximum Price (₹) |
|---|---|---|
Agra |
2,00,000 |
5,50,000 |
Ahmedabad |
2,50,000 |
6,00,000 |
Ajmer |
2,00,000 |
5,50,000 |
Aligarh |
2,00,000 |
5,50,000 |
Allahabad |
2,00,000 |
5,50,000 |
Amritsar |
2,25,000 |
5,75,000 |
Aurangabad |
2,25,000 |
5,75,000 |
Bangalore |
2,50,000 |
6,00,000 |
Bareilly |
2,00,000 |
5,50,000 |
Belgaum |
2,25,000 |
5,75,000 |
Bhopal |
2,25,000 |
5,75,000 |
Bhubaneswar |
2,25,000 |
5,75,000 |
Bikaner |
2,00,000 |
5,50,000 |
Chandigarh |
2,50,000 |
6,00,000 |
Chennai |
2,50,000 |
6,00,000 |
Coimbatore |
2,50,000 |
6,00,000 |
Dehradun |
2,25,000 |
5,75,000 |
Delhi |
2,50,000 |
6,00,000 |
Dhanbad |
2,00,000 |
5,50,000 |
Durgapur |
2,00,000 |
5,50,000 |
Faridabad |
2,50,000 |
6,00,000 |
Ghaziabad |
2,50,000 |
6,00,000 |
Gorakhpur |
2,00,000 |
5,50,000 |
Guntur |
2,25,000 |
5,75,000 |
Gurgaon |
2,50,000 |
6,00,000 |
Guwahati |
2,25,000 |
5,75,000 |
Gwalior |
2,00,000 |
5,50,000 |
Hyderabad |
2,50,000 |
6,00,000 |
Indore |
2,25,000 |
5,75,000 |
Jabalpur |
2,00,000 |
5,50,000 |
Jaipur |
2,50,000 |
6,00,000 |
Jalandhar |
2,25,000 |
5,75,000 |
Jamshedpur |
2,25,000 |
5,75,000 |
Jodhpur |
2,00,000 |
5,50,000 |
Kanpur |
2,00,000 |
5,50,000 |
Kochi |
2,50,000 |
6,00,000 |
Kolkata |
2,50,000 |
6,00,000 |
Kollam |
2,25,000 |
5,75,000 |
Lucknow |
2,25,000 |
5,75,000 |
Ludhiana |
2,50,000 |
6,00,000 |
Madurai |
2,25,000 |
5,75,000 |
Mangalore |
2,25,000 |
5,75,000 |
Meerut |
2,00,000 |
5,50,000 |
Moradabad |
2,00,000 |
5,50,000 |
Mumbai |
2,50,000 |
6,00,000 |
Mysore |
2,50,000 |
6,00,000 |
Nagpur |
2,25,000 |
5,75,000 |
Nashik |
2,25,000 |
5,75,000 |
Navi Mumbai |
2,50,000 |
6,00,000 |
Noida |
2,50,000 |
6,00,000 |
Patna |
2,00,000 |
5,50,000 |
Pune |
2,50,000 |
6,00,000 |
Raipur |
2,25,000 |
5,75,000 |
Rajkot |
2,25,000 |
5,75,000 |
Ranchi |
2,00,000 |
5,50,000 |
Surat |
2,50,000 |
6,00,000 |
Thane |
2,50,000 |
6,00,000 |
Vadodara |
2,25,000 |
5,75,000 |
Varanasi |
2,00,000 |
5,50,000 |
Visakhapatnam |
2,25,000 |
5,75,000 |
Disclaimer
This information is sourced from open platforms and is for general awareness only. Costs may vary based on individual cases. Please consult a qualified doctor for medical advice and explore options within your budget before deciding on the procedure.