About Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Key Highlights
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Stabilizes the spine to prevent further curvature progression.Can improve sitting balance and posture, enhancing comfort and independence.May help preserve or improve pulmonary function by allowing better chest expansion.Alleviates pain associated with severe spinal deformity.Can facilitate better positioning for daily activities and care.
Who is this surgery for?
- Progressive, severe scoliosis (typically a Cobb angle >50 degrees) in a non-ambulatory SMA patient.
- Spinal deformity causing significant pain that is unresponsive to conservative management.
- Curvature leading to compromised pulmonary function or difficulty with sitting balance.
- Progressive deformity in a growing child with SMA to prevent severe future complications.
- Decision is typically made after a comprehensive evaluation by neurology, pulmonology, and orthopedic/spine surgery teams.
How to prepare
- Comprehensive pre-operative assessment including pulmonary function tests, cardiac evaluation, and nutritional status review.
- Detailed imaging of the spine (X-rays, CT, or MRI) to plan the surgical approach.
- Optimization of respiratory health, which may include respiratory therapy.
- Discussion of anesthesia risks specific to neuromuscular patients.
- Pre-operative counseling for the patient and family regarding goals, risks, and the recovery process.
Risks & possible complications
- General surgical risks: infection, bleeding, and adverse reaction to anesthesia.
- Specific risks include neurological injury, which is a critical concern in SMA.
- Pseudarthrosis (failure of the spinal bones to fuse).
- Hardware failure or irritation.
- Increased risk of respiratory complications post-operatively.
- Blood loss requiring transfusion.
- Persistent pain or need for further surgery.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Initial recovery in the hospital, often in an ICU or step-down unit for close monitoring of respiratory status.
- Pain management and careful mobilization with physical therapy assistance.
- Use of a back brace may be recommended for support.
- Gradual return to sitting and daily activities over several weeks to months.
- Long-term follow-up with the surgical team for monitoring fusion and hardware.
- Continued multidisciplinary care with neurology and rehabilitation services is essential.
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Typical hospital stay: 7-14 days
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Expected recovery time: 3-6 months for initial recovery; full healing of fusion takes 6-12 months
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering spinal muscular atrophy in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for spinal muscular atrophy in India include Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Miot Hospital Chennai, Manipal Hospital Rangapani, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform spinal muscular atrophy. MediFyr helps you compare spine surgeons and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for spinal muscular atrophy compare across other countries where we have data.
| Country | Estimated cost range | Typical stay | Recovery time | View details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | INR 400 Thousand – 1.2 Million | 7-14 days | ~ 3-6 months for initial recovery; full healing of fusion takes 6-12 months | Know More |
| Turkey | TRY 1.4 Million – 4.2 Million | 7-14 days | ~ 3-6 months for initial recovery; full healing of fusion takes 6-12 months | Know More |
Top hospitals for Spinal Muscular Atrophy in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated spine surgery teams and experience managing patients undergoing spinal muscular atrophy.
Sneha Williams, a 28-year-old graphic designer...
Sneha Williams, a 28-year-old graphic designer and avid hiker, began noticing persistent lower back pain and a slight limp two years ago. Initially attributing it to long hours at her desk, her symptoms progressed to include leg weakness, foot drop, and occasional tripping. An MRI revealed spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) Type IV, with significant nerve root compression in her lumbar spine. Her neurologist and spine surgeon, Dr. Chen, recommended a lumbar laminectomy and spinal fusion to decompress the nerves and stabilize her spine, preventing further neurological decline. The minimally invasive surgery went smoothly, though the immediate post-op period was challenging with pain and mobility restrictions. After six months of dedicated physical therapy, Sneha regained significant strength and stability. Her limp is barely noticeable, and while she moderates her hiking, she's back to designing. Emotionally, she journeyed from fear of losing her independence and active lifestyle to profound gratitude and a renewed focus on her body's resilience.
Spine surgeons for Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Explore experienced spine surgeons who regularly perform spinal muscular atrophy and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 20 Years Experience
- Spine surgeon
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 14 Years Experience
- Spine surgeon
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 15 Years Experience
- Spine surgeon
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 14 Years Experience
- Spine surgeon
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 25 Years Experience
- Spine surgeon
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 24 Years Experience
- Spine surgeon
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 12 Years Experience
- Spine surgeon
Manipal Hospital Kharadi, Pune
- 12 Years Experience
- Spine surgeon
Manipal Hospital Jayanagar, Bangalore
- 24 Years Experience
- Spine surgeon
Manipal Hospital Hebbal, Bangalore
- 25 Years Experience
- Spine surgeon
Artemis Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon
- 8 Years Experience
- Spine surgeon
Manipal Hospital Jaipur, Jaipur
- 7 Years Experience
- Spine surgeon
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 5 Years Experience
- Spine surgeon
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 11 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 12 Years Experience
- Spine surgeon
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 12 Years Experience
- Spine surgeon
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 25 Years Experience
- Spine surgeon
Manipal Hospital Salt Lake, Kolkata
- 15 Years Experience
- Spine surgeon
Manipal Hospital Salt Lake, Kolkata
- 17 Years Experience
- Spine surgeon
Manipal Hospital Dwarka, Delhi
- 19 Years Experience
- Spine surgeon