Spinal Fusion
What is Spinal Fusion?
Spinal fusion is a surgical procedure that permanently joins two or more vertebrae to eliminate motion between them, providing stability to the spine. It is often used to treat conditions causing instability, deformity, or nerve compression. In India, spinal fusion is performed 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 Spinal fusion?
Spinal fusion is indicated for:
- Degenerative disc disease: Severe disc breakdown causing instability or nerve compression.
- Spondylolisthesis: One vertebra slips over another, causing pain or nerve issues.
- Spinal stenosis: Often combined with decompression (e.g., laminectomy) for stability.
- Scoliosis or kyphosis: Corrects spinal deformities in adults or children.
- Fractures: Traumatic or osteoporotic fractures causing instability.
- Herniated disc: When discectomy alone risks instability.
- Spinal tumors or infections: After tumor resection or infection clearance to stabilize the spine.
- Failed back surgery syndrome: Persistent pain due to instability after prior surgery.
The procedure aims to stabilize the spine, relieve pain, and prevent further deformity or nerve damage by fusing vertebrae using bone grafts and hardware (e.g., rods, screws).
Why Do Spinal Fusion Costs Vary in India?
Costs range from ₹2 lakh to ₹6 lakh:
- Procedure Type: Single-level fusion (₹2–3.5 lakh); multilevel or scoliosis correction (₹3.5–6 lakh).
- Hospital/Location: Higher in metro cities (Apollo, Fortis); lower in government hospitals (AIIMS, ₹50,000–₹1.5 lakh).
- Surgeon’s Expertise: Experienced spine surgeons charge more.
- Additional Costs: Hardware (rods/screws: ₹50,000–₹1.5 lakh), MRI/CT (₹5,000–₹15,000), hospital stay, brace.
- Insurance: Covered for instability, deformity, or neurological deficits; Ayushman Bharat offers subsidies.
Spinal Fusion Procedure
- Before Surgery Evaluation:
- Diagnosis:
- X-rays (flexion/extension views): Assess instability or deformity.
- MRI or CT scan: Identifies disc pathology, stenosis, or nerve compression.
- Bone density test (DEXA): Evaluates osteoporosis (common in older patients).
- Blood tests: Ensure fitness for surgery (e.g., coagulation, hemoglobin).
- Medications: Pain relief (e.g., NSAIDs); stop blood thinners (e.g., aspirin) 5–7 days prior.
- Consent: Risks, including non-union, are explained.
- Diagnosis:
- Surgical Techniques:
- Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF) or Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF):
- Performed under general anesthesia, lasting 2–4 hours.
- A midline incision (5–10 cm) in the lower back exposes the spine.
- Decompression (e.g., laminectomy) if needed, followed by disc removal.
- A bone graft or cage is placed in the disc space to promote fusion.
- Rods and screws stabilize the vertebrae; bone graft (autograft from the patient’s pelvis or allograft) is added along the vertebrae.
- Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF):
- An anterior approach via the abdomen (5–8 cm incision); disc space is accessed, and a cage/graft is inserted.
- Often combined with posterior screws for added stability.
- Cervical Fusion (e.g., Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion, ACDF):
- A 3–5 cm incision in the front of the neck; disc removal, cage/graft insertion, and a plate/screws stabilize the vertebrae.
- Minimally Invasive Spinal Fusion:
- Smaller incisions (1–3 cm), using tubular retractors and fluoroscopy; reduces muscle damage, but not suitable for all cases.
- Intraoperative Tools:
- Fluoroscopy: Real-time X-ray ensures correct level and hardware placement.
- Neuromonitoring: Tracks nerve function to avoid injury.
- Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF) or Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF):
- After Surgery:
- Ward monitoring for 2–5 days; hospital stay of 3–7 days.
- Pain management: Analgesics (e.g., tramadol) for 1–2 weeks.
- Antibiotics (e.g., cefazolin) for 1–2 days to prevent infection.
- Brace: Lumbar (TLSO brace) or cervical collar for 4–8 weeks to support fusion.
- Physical therapy: Starts at 4–6 weeks to improve mobility and strength.
- Follow-up X-rays: At 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6–12 months to monitor fusion.
Recovery After Spinal Fusion
- Hospital Stay: 3–7 days; longer (7–10 days) for multilevel fusion or complications.
- Post-Surgery Care:
- Pain: Incision pain for 1–2 weeks; nerve pain improves over months.
- Activity: Light walking on day 1–2; avoid bending, twisting, or lifting (>5 kg) for 8–12 weeks.
- Brace: Worn for 4–8 weeks to limit motion and support fusion.
- Physical therapy: Starts at 4–6 weeks; focuses on core strength, posture, and mobility.
- Driving: Avoid for 4–6 weeks until brace-free and pain-free.
- Diet: Normal diet; high-protein foods (e.g., eggs, lentils) and calcium-rich foods (e.g., dairy) support bone healing; 2–3 liters water daily.
- Follow-Up:
- Visits at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6–12 months.
- X-rays/CT: Monitor fusion (complete fusion takes 6–12 months).
Most resume normal activities in 3–6 months; full fusion and recovery take 6–12 months. Pain relief success rates: 70–85%; deformity correction (scoliosis): 80–90% improvement in alignment.
Risks and Complications
- Surgical Risks: Bleeding (2–5%), infection (1–3%), CSF leak (1–2% if dural tear).
- Fusion-Specific:
- Non-union (5–10%): Failure to fuse, requiring revision surgery.
- Hardware failure (2–5%): Broken screws/rods, may need replacement.
- Neurological Complications:
- Nerve injury (1–3%): Temporary or permanent numbness/weakness.
- Persistent pain (5–10%): If nerve damage is irreversible.
- General Risks: Anesthesia reactions, blood clots (DVT, 1–2%).
- Long-Term:
- Adjacent segment disease (10–20% over 10 years): Degeneration of nearby vertebrae.
- Chronic pain or stiffness at the fused level.
Report fever, severe pain, or neurological changes promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What causes the need for spinal fusion?
Instability (e.g., spondylolisthesis), deformity (e.g., scoliosis), or severe degeneration causing pain/nerve compression.
Can spinal issues be treated without fusion?
Yes, 60–70% improve with physiotherapy, injections, or decompression (e.g., laminectomy); fusion is for instability or deformity.
Will I lose spinal mobility?
Yes, at the fused level (10–20% overall motion loss per level); impact is minimal for 1–2 levels but noticeable in multilevel fusion.
How soon can I resume activities?
Light activities in 2–4 weeks, normal routines in 3–6 months; full recovery in 6–12 months.
Is spinal fusion covered by insurance in India?
Yes, for instability, deformity, or neurological deficits; confirm with your provider.
Signs of complications?
Fever, severe pain, new numbness/weakness, or wound drainage.
Will I need more surgery later?
5–10% risk of non-union or hardware issues; 10–20% may develop adjacent segment disease over 10 years.
Lifestyle changes post-surgery?
Avoid heavy lifting for 3–6 months, wear a brace as advised, maintain good posture, continue physiotherapy, and follow up regularly.
Conclusion
Spinal fusion effectively stabilizes the spine, corrects deformities, and relieves pain in appropriately selected patients, though it requires a longer recovery than decompression alone. India’s top hospitals (Apollo, Fortis, AIIMS) offer affordable, expert care. Understanding the procedure, costs, recovery, risks, and FAQs helps patients approach spinal fusion confidently. Consult a spine surgeon for personalized guidance and optimal outcomes.
Looking for Best Hospitals for Spinal fusion
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 |
2,50,000 |
6,00,000 |
Ahmedabad |
3,00,000 |
6,50,000 |
Ajmer |
2,50,000 |
6,00,000 |
Aligarh |
2,50,000 |
6,00,000 |
Allahabad |
2,50,000 |
6,00,000 |
Amritsar |
2,75,000 |
6,25,000 |
Aurangabad |
2,75,000 |
6,25,000 |
Bangalore |
3,00,000 |
6,50,000 |
Bareilly |
2,50,000 |
6,00,000 |
Belgaum |
2,75,000 |
6,25,000 |
Bhopal |
2,75,000 |
6,25,000 |
Bhubaneswar |
2,75,000 |
6,25,000 |
Bikaner |
2,50,000 |
6,00,000 |
Chandigarh |
3,00,000 |
6,50,000 |
Chennai |
3,00,000 |
6,50,000 |
Coimbatore |
3,00,000 |
6,50,000 |
Dehradun |
2,75,000 |
6,25,000 |
Delhi |
3,00,000 |
6,50,000 |
Dhanbad |
2,50,000 |
6,00,000 |
Durgapur |
2,50,000 |
6,00,000 |
Faridabad |
3,00,000 |
6,50,000 |
Ghaziabad |
3,00,000 |
6,50,000 |
Gorakhpur |
2,50,000 |
6,00,000 |
Guntur |
2,75,000 |
6,25,000 |
Gurgaon |
3,00,000 |
6,50,000 |
Guwahati |
2,75,000 |
6,25,000 |
Gwalior |
2,50,000 |
6,00,000 |
Hyderabad |
3,00,000 |
6,50,000 |
Indore |
2,75,000 |
6,25,000 |
Jabalpur |
2,50,000 |
6,00,000 |
Jaipur |
3,00,000 |
6,50,000 |
Jalandhar |
2,75,000 |
6,25,000 |
Jamshedpur |
2,75,000 |
6,25,000 |
Jodhpur |
2,50,000 |
6,00,000 |
Kanpur |
2,50,000 |
6,00,000 |
Kochi |
3,00,000 |
6,50,000 |
Kolkata |
3,00,000 |
6,50,000 |
Kollam |
2,75,000 |
6,25,000 |
Lucknow |
2,75,000 |
6,25,000 |
Ludhiana |
3,00,000 |
6,50,000 |
Madurai |
2,75,000 |
6,25,000 |
Mangalore |
2,75,000 |
6,25,000 |
Meerut |
2,50,000 |
6,00,000 |
Moradabad |
2,50,000 |
6,00,000 |
Mumbai |
3,00,000 |
6,50,000 |
Mysore |
3,00,000 |
6,50,000 |
Nagpur |
2,75,000 |
6,25,000 |
Nashik |
2,75,000 |
6,25,000 |
Navi Mumbai |
3,00,000 |
6,50,000 |
Noida |
3,00,000 |
6,50,000 |
Patna |
2,50,000 |
6,00,000 |
Pune |
3,00,000 |
6,50,000 |
Raipur |
2,75,000 |
6,25,000 |
Rajkot |
2,75,000 |
6,25,000 |
Ranchi |
2,50,000 |
6,00,000 |
Surat |
3,00,000 |
6,50,000 |
Thane |
3,00,000 |
6,50,000 |
Vadodara |
2,75,000 |
6,25,000 |
Varanasi |
2,50,000 |
6,00,000 |
Visakhapatnam |
2,75,000 |
6,25,000 |
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.