About Spinal Stenosis
Key Highlights
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Effectively relieves pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots.Alleviates chronic pain, numbness, and weakness in the back, legs, or arms.Can significantly improve mobility and walking ability.Offers a long-term solution when non-surgical treatments are ineffective.Modern techniques often allow for minimally invasive approaches with smaller incisions.Aims to restore function and enhance overall quality of life./ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Severe, persistent pain in the back, legs (neurogenic claudication), or arms that limits daily activities.
- Progressive neurological deficits, such as numbness, tingling, or weakness in the limbs.
- Difficulty walking or a feeling of heaviness in the legs.
- Loss of bowel or bladder control (cauda equina syndrome), which is a surgical emergency.
- Failure to respond to an adequate course of conservative management (e.g., physical therapy, medications, epidural injections).
- Confirmed diagnosis of spinal stenosis via imaging (MRI or CT scan) correlating with clinical symptoms.
How to prepare
- Complete a thorough medical evaluation, including blood tests, ECG, and chest X-ray.
- Undergo detailed imaging studies like an MRI or CT scan to precisely locate the stenosis.
- Discuss all current medications with the surgeon; you may need to stop blood thinners or NSAIDs.
- Stop smoking well in advance of surgery to improve healing.
- Arrange for help at home during the initial recovery period.
- Follow pre-operative fasting instructions (typically no food or drink after midnight).
Risks & possible complications
- General surgical risks: infection, bleeding, and adverse reactions to anesthesia.
- Nerve injury, which could lead to persistent numbness, weakness, or pain.
- Dural tear (cerebrospinal fluid leak), which may require repair.
- Blood clots (deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism).
- Failure to relieve symptoms or recurrence of stenosis.
- Spinal instability, potentially requiring a future fusion surgery.
- Rare but serious risks include paralysis or stroke.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Hospital stay typically lasts 1-3 days for monitoring and initial pain management.
- Incision care is crucial; keep the area clean and dry as instructed.
- Activity is gradually increased; walking is encouraged soon after surgery.
- Heavy lifting, twisting, and bending are restricted for several weeks.
- Physical therapy is often prescribed to strengthen core and back muscles.
- Follow-up appointments are necessary to monitor healing and progress.
- Full recovery and return to all normal activities may take several months.
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Typical hospital stay: 2-4 days
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Expected recovery time: 6-12 weeks for initial recovery; up to 6 months for full recovery
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering spinal stenosis in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for spinal stenosis 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 stenosis. 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 stenosis compare across other countries where we have data.
| Country | Estimated cost range | Typical stay | Recovery time | View details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | INR 250 Thousand – 800 Thousand | 2-4 days | ~ 6-12 weeks for initial recovery; up to 6 months for full recovery | Know More |
| Turkey | TRY 875 Thousand – 2.8 Million | 2-4 days | ~ 6-12 weeks for initial recovery; up to 6 months for full recovery | Know More |
Top hospitals for Spinal Stenosis in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated spine surgery teams and experience managing patients undergoing spinal stenosis.
Navya Malhotra, a 68-year-old retired school...
Navya Malhotra, a 68-year-old retired school principal, had always been active, enjoying gardening and long walks with her book club friends. Over the past two years, a creeping numbness and weakness in her legs, which she initially dismissed as arthritis, had progressed. Now, she could only walk half a block before a severe cramping pain in her calves forced her to stop. Simple grocery shopping became an ordeal. Her neurologist diagnosed severe lumbar spinal stenosis after an MRI showed significant narrowing in her lower spine, compressing the nerves. He recommended a lumbar laminectomy to create more space for the nerves, stating that conservative treatments like injections and physical therapy had been exhausted. Terrified of surgery but desperate to regain her independence, Navya underwent the procedure. The first few days of recovery were challenging, with pain and stiffness. However, with dedicated physical therapy, she gradually regained strength. Six months post-surgery, she can walk through the botanical gardens again, pain-free. The emotional journey was profound, from the fear of becoming wheelchair-bound to the overwhelming gratitude of reclaiming her active life and social connections.
Spine surgeons for Spinal Stenosis
Explore experienced spine surgeons who regularly perform spinal stenosis 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