New Help For All Spinal Problems: Live Better!

Nov 09 , 2020 | 3 min read

A year ago, Sanjeev (name changed) was suffering from excruciating pain in his left leg, which would often radiate to his buttocks, legs, and feet. Sanjeev continued to ignore the pain for almost a year. However, it had aggravated to the extent that it had started impacting his work. On his family’s recommendation, he visited Max Super Speciality Hospital, Dehradun, where the hospital diagnosed that the pain had generated in his lower back, due to an injury.

He stated, “It all began when I had slipped on the floor of my bathroom and hit my back against the stairs. For a few days, I suffered from a horrible pain in my lower back, but it eventually disappeared, and I never gave much thought to it. At Max Super Speciality Hospital, Dehradun I found out that the pain had never completely vanished, but had just shifted from my lower back to my legs.”

Dr. Priyank Uniyal, Minimal Invasive Spine Surgeon at MIND, Max Institute of Neurosciences, Dehradun stated that “Sanjeev came to Max Super Speciality Hospital, Dehradun with severe pain in his left leg. Post-diagnosis, it was found that he was suffering from Prolapsed Intervertebral Disc (PIVD). Sanjeev was a little hesitant about the surgery and preferred treatment with medicines. However, when he was counselled and informed about the pros, cons, and advantages of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, he agreed to go for the procedure.”

Dr. A.K.Singh, Chairman - Max Institute of Neuro Sciences Dehradun (MIND), Medical Advisor and Head of Neuro & Spinal Surgery (Max Hospital, Dehradun), Chairman- Max Neurosciences Forum, Max Super Specialty Hospital, Dehradun under whose guidance this technology is being practiced, explained, “Prolapsed Disc, also known as 'slipped disc', does not actually mean that the disk has 'slipped'. What happens is, the inner softer part of the disc (the nucleus pulposus) bulges out (herniates) through a weaker outer part of the disc. This bulging disc may press on nearby structures such as a nerve coming from the spinal cord, which can result in inflammation around the prolapsed part of the disc.”

He added, “Any disc in the spine can prolapse. However, most prolapsed discs occur in the lumbar part of the spine (lower back). And Sanjeev too had the same problem. Our team performed a keyhole surgery called, ‘Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy’ (PELD), by laser technique, under local anaesthesia. After inserting a thin wire into the skin, we treated the herniated disc with laser and radio-frequency thermal effect, under endoscopic guidance. The advantage of this treatment is that a patient recovers quickly as the operation is done with a very small incision. There is minimal blood loss, no stitches/scars is painless and is a day care surgery, ensuring the minimization of possible complications.”

This technology of ‘Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery’ is not performed in any hospital facility in Uttarakhand and its neighbouring cities, except Max Super Speciality Hospital, Dehradun. With this technology that allows greater precision and efficiency in services and an expert team of doctors, the hospital has minimized risks in spinal surgeries.

Sanjeev was operated on June 3rd, 2017 and was discharged on June 4th, and was able to walk, exercise, and complete his daily chores with ease.

Max Super Speciality Hospital, Dehradun is an international class tertiary care hospital and the first NABH Accredited hospital in the region. The hospital has earned the reputation of being the most trusted hospital for its scientific work with humane touch. The hospital is a LEAN Certified Green Hospital and offers all medical facilities under one roof including - Cath lab, investigations, CT MRI,

Blood Bank and diagnostics: With a pool of highly-trained doctors and support staff on board, the hospital offers state-of-the-art diagnostic, therapeutic and intensive care facilities. Max Hospital has the best Neurosciences team in North India providing comprehensive treatment in the field of Neurosurgery, Neuro medicine, Neuro – anaesthesia and Mental Health, spearheaded by Dr. A.K. Singh. It is the only hospital in the region with round the clock intensive care managed by trained intensivists.