Cervical Disc Replacement Surgery Cost in India

“The cost of Cervical Disc replacement surgery in India starts from USD 7000 (INR 520,000). The Cervical disc replacement hospitals in India promise unparalleled health treatments at low-cost packages. The same procedure, however, costs much more in the Western countries.

Cervical disc replacement is a surgical procedure conducted to replace the diseased or affected cervical disc with an artificial disc. This is done without hampering the effective range of motion of the spinal disc.

Low cost of cervical disc replacement in India is one of the leading reasons why an alarming number of patients from abroad prefer to come to the country for this procedure. It is estimated that by choosing India over any other country, a medical tourist typically saves more than 70 percent of their money.

It is estimated that cervical disc replacement in the US costs anywhere between $45000 and $60000. Bearing such exorbitant costs for the same line and quality of treatment does not seem logical to many patients and this is the reason why they decide to avail affordable cervical disc replacement in India.

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Why is Cervical disc replacement Surgery needed?

Cervical disc replacement is a surgical procedure used to remove the degenerated disc and replace it with an artificial disc. The surgery is conducted to relieve the symptoms caused by narrowing of the vertebrae or increased pressure on the spinal cord by the cervical disc. The symptoms may include numbness, weakness, and pain in the spinal cord.

The pain may arise from the degenerated disc itself. It may also arise from other structures such as small joints (facet joints) present at the back of the spine that may become overloaded due to narrowing or degeneration of the cervical disc.

The narrowing of the cervical disc progresses gradually, which results in the sinking of vertebrae on the lower one. This puts an extra pressure on the facet joints, which may eventually pinch the nerve root. This may give rise to pain in the legs and other related symptoms.

Disc replacement surgery is a solution to the pain due to degeneration of the disc, but only if the patient does not respond to other non-surgical treatment. The artificial disc is inserted in place of the degenerated disc and it mimics the action of a normal and healthy disc.

This helps restore the normal movement in the cervical disc. It also helps relieve pressure on other parts of the spine, such as the nerve root.

How can Lyfboat assist you in getting Herniated Disc Treatment in India?

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Lyfboat is a free advisory platform; we do not charge any fees from patients. In fact, we negotiate the price that Indian hospitals offer. In some cases we are able to reduce the cost by negotiating upto 20% of what Hospitals generally offer. We advise the best treatment from the top hospital/surgeon at best price.

What are the causes of Cervical Disc Degeneration?

There are many reasons which may lead to the degeneration of the cervical disc. Some of them include the following:

  • Facet joint arthritis
  • Serious trauma or injury to the cervical disc
  • Breakdown of the collagen framework
  • Dehydration of the cervical disc

What are the symptoms of Cervical Disc Degeneration?

The cervical disc degeneration usually results in the following symptoms:

  • Neck pain
  • Neck stiffness
  • Headache
  • Radiating pain towards the arms or shoulders
  • Weakness in the arms or shoulders
  • Numbness in the arms

When a disc is damaged or degenerated due to arthritis or other cause, the inflammation or muscle spasm can lead to significant neck pain. In severe cases, there can be pain and numbness in the arms resulting from the pressure on the cervical nerve roots.

Cervical Herniated Disc Surgery in India

The anterior cervical discectomy and fusion technique is considered the gold standard surgery for cervical disc. It is the most common and traditional operation for symptomatic cervical disc disease. The surgery aims to relieve pain and pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots. 

The procedure involves making an incision on the front of the neck to allow the surgeon to access and remove the damaged or herniated (protruding) disc along with associated bone spurs. Once the damaged disc is removed, the gap that remains between the two bones is filled using a bone graft (a piece of bone taken from either a cadaver or from the patient’s own pelvic bone) or with a synthetic graft, made of medical grade plastic or titanium, with cage device.

As the pressure on the nerves gets relieved, the two bones grow together and fuse to form a unified structure which makes it unable to move on that level. During the anterior cervical discectomy and spinal fusion procedure, the surgeon uses a plate that is fixed with screws to the front of the spine in order to maintain its stability. This helps in achieving a solid fusion over time.

After the fusion surgery, patients are typically immobilized for almost six weeks and need a cervical collar. The surgeon will perform X-rays imaging test at different time intervals post surgery to check on the fusion progress and healing.

Another approach for surgery is posterior discectomy or lamino-foraminotomy. It is an option for some patients who have a herniated disc localized off to one side of the spinal canal. This procedure is performed on the back of the neck (posterior approach), instead of the front. 

Cervical disc replacement, also known as total disc arthroplasty or artificial cervical disc replacement surgery, is a relatively new procedure. It has been approved by Food & Drug Association (FDA) in 2007 as option for surgical treatment of symptomatic cervical disc disease.

This procedure is similar to the anterior cervical discectomy and fusion surgery, as it also involves removal of the damaged or degenerated disc. The difference is that the gap created after the removal of the disc from between the two vertebrae is filled using a disc replacement device, rather than bone graft.

A disc replacement is an artificial device usually made of two metallic surfaces, one surface is attached to the upper vertebra of the affected disc level and the other to the lower vertebrae. These metal implants may slide over each other directly or a piece of medical grade plastic can be put to separate them.

The replacement disc enables the motion between the two vertebrae to be maintained and prevents the need for a fusion, which causes loss of motion at that level. The disc replacement is secured in its place using screws or a press fit anchor that holds the device between the bones. 

When a patient is eligible for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) as well as cervical Disc Replacement, the doctor will discuss the potential benefits and risks of both these procedures. The benefits of choosing an artificial disc replacement may include:

  • Provides a more natural neck movement
  • Less risk for damage or development of degenerative disc disease in the adjacent segments of the cervical spine 
  • No risk of potential complications that may occur due to the need for a bone graft and spinal instrumentation in a spinal fusion surgery
  • A faster return to neck motion post surgery

What happens during cervical disc replacement surgery?

The cervical disc replacement surgery in India is performed after the patient is under general anesthesia. The medical team constantly keeps a check on the functions of heart, blood pressure, and oxygen level.

  • The area of the neck where the incision has to be made is cleansed with an antiseptic solution. 
  • An incision of around one to two inches is made in a horizontal fashion on one side in front of the neck.
  • The degenerated disc is exposed carefully by moving aside the vital parts of the neck. 
  • The affected disc is removed completely along with any impinging disc fragments or bone spurs which may press the nerve running through the spine.
  • A surgical magnifying glass is used to facilitate disc removal and decompression of the nerves. When the disc is removed through a smaller incision while using a microscope or magnifying device, it is known as microdiscectomy technique
  • The original disc height is restored as degenerated disc typically shrinks in height. The artificial cervical disc is then implanted carefully into the disc spaces between the vertebrae with the help of X-ray or fluoroscopy. 
  • The incisions beneath the skin are then closed through stitches. 
  • The outer skin is then closed and bandaged properly. The patient may be advised to put a rigid or soft cervical collar around the neck to restrict motility for the few days.

Who is a suitable candidate for a cervical disc replacement surgery?

Cervical disc replacement is an option for patient with symptomatic cervical disc disease that has shown no improvement with non-surgical treatments. 

This procedure is currently only approved for use at one cervical level and not for adjacent level to a previous cervical fusion. 

Disc replacement or arthroplasty can be used when arthroplasty is not an option as well as instead of an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. 

There are certain cases in which disc replacement is not recommended, including – 

  • For children 
  • When there is instability or motion is abnormal at the affected level 
  • Condition of advanced degenerative diseases such as spondylosis which affects the facet joints in the spine at the affected level 
  • When there is significant osteoporosis or an active infection. 

Cervical disc arthroplasty is a newer procedure involving use of advanced technology and therefore should only be performed by a qualified spine surgeon. The spine surgeons in India are highly skilled and trained specialists with a vast experience of performing various kinds of procedures. They have been trained in the latest surgical techniques from the top medical institutions of the world.

How is recover after Cervical Disc Replacement?

The patient is taken to the observation room after the surgery. All the vital signs such as the pulse, blood pressure, and breathing are stabilized and the patient is transferred to the patient room once he or she is alert and stable.

The patient may be required to stay in the hospital for at least two to three days after the surgery. The doctor may ask the patient to wear a cervical collar for at least seven days to immobilize the area.

The pain due to surgery improves markedly within three to four days. Symptoms related to nerves such as numbness, pain, and weakness usually wear off within one or two days. The patient is likely to get back to lighter work routine after one or two weeks and to the normal work routine within five to six weeks after the cervical disc replacement surgery.

The doctor will provide instructions about the recovery and rehabilitation at home based on each patient’s condition. Some common recommendations to be followed are:

  • Continue wearing a soft or rigid neck support
  • Eat a normal balanced diet 
  • Take care of the surgical wound 
  • Go for follow-up visits and especially for removal of sutures 
  • Confirm with your surgeon before returning to work and normal activities. Strictly follow all the activity restrictions, especially when about taking a regular shower or bath.
  • Follow physical therapy routines, as advised, after a few weeks.
  • Gradually return to normal activities within 4 to 6 weeks.

What are the benefits of Cervical Disc Replacement Surgery in India

The benefits of cervical disc replacement over spinal fusion surgery are as follows:

  • The risk of a revision surgery is less
  • Adjacent spinal discs do not have to bear the extra stress
  • The need for painful bone graft is eliminated
  • Minimal recovery time

What are the risks associated with the Cervical Disc Replacement Surgery?

Following risks are associated with the cervical disc replacement surgery:

  • Bleeding and infection
  • Bending, breaking, loosening or movement of the artificial disc
  • Nerve injury that may lead to paralysis
  • Changes in the voice of the patient
  • Leakage of the spinal fluid
  • Difficulty in breathing or swallowing
  • In rare cases, stroke

Why people prefer Cervical Disc Replacement Surgery in India?

Cervical disc replacement in India is done to ease off the symptoms of the degenerative cervical disc. This surgery is often recommended when the patient is not benefited from non-surgical options and therapies used for the treatment of disc degeneration.

First, the cost of cervical disc replacement in India is quite low as compared to other countries, particularly the North American and European nations. Second, the massive pool of medical expertise that a patient from abroad gets to avail in India is unparalleled to any country in the world.

The spine hospitals in India are globally renowned for their quality of services that they offer to the patients. These hospitals have earned a name for themselves by consistently maintaining a great surgical success record for many years.

 

The best spine surgeons in India are globally renowned for their surgical skills and expertise. A majority of them have had international exposure when it comes to the treatment of spine-related disorders. Additionally, a majority of Indian surgeons are a member of professional bodies in the field of neurosurgery. They attend several seminars and conferences around the year to educate and update themselves as per the changing technological trends in the field of neurosurgery.

List of some famous cervical disc replacement specialists:

  1. Dr. Hitesh Garg
  2. Dr. A K Banerji
  3. Dr. S K Sogani
  4. Dr. Rajagopalan Krishnan
  5. Dr. C M Malhotra
  6. Dr. Rajendra Prasad

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