Spinal Surgery in Delhi

Spinal surgery is any surgical procedure performed to correct possible structural abnormalities. Surgeons can move, fix, decompress, and, if necessary, replace vertebral structures through spinal surgery. This is only considered when conservative, non-surgical treatments have not worked and the pain remains persistent, preventing patients from living a normal life and reducing their quality of life. Some common conditions that may require spinal surgery are spinal deformation, compression of the spinal cord, herniated discs, and tumors of the spinal cord, cauda equine syndrome, vertebral fractures, and degenerative disc disease.

There are numerous types of spinal surgery. The type of surgery you will receive depends on your disease or injury, the location, the level of damage, as well as your own characteristics. Some of the most common types of spinal surgery are as follows:

• Spinal fusion – during spinal fusion, your surgeon will join spinal bones (vertebrae) together to prevent pain caused by their movement against each other.
• Discectomy – your surgeon removes part of or the entire disc that slips out of place presses on a spinal nerve, and cause back pain.
• Laminectomy – most commonly used for lumbar spinal stenosis, this surgery involves the removal of parts of the bone, ligaments, or bone spurs in the back to relieve pressure on spinal nerves and ease the pain.
• Disc replacement – your surgeon removes the damaged spinal disc and replaces it with an artificial one.
• Foraminotomy – bones at the sides of your vertebrae is cut away to widen the space where nerves exit the spine. Like laminectomy, this is done to relieve pressure on a compressed nerve and ease pain.
• Interlaminar implant –a U-shaped device is implanted between two vertebrae in your lower back to ease pressure on your spinal nerves by keeping the space between the vertebrae open. This is a minimally invasive alternative to laminectomy.

How Long Should I Stay in Delhi?

You may need to stay in Delhi for at least 10 to 14 days following your surgery to allow for your body to recover and attend follow-up checkups, if necessary. During the follow-up checkup, your overall condition will be monitored and the surgical stitches will be removed. 

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

Recovery depends on the specific disease/injury you have, the type of spinal surgery you underwent, and your overall health. If you are healthy and your job is not physically demanding, you may be allowed to go back to work within 4 to 6 weeks following surgery. However, it takes at least 3 to 4 months for the bones to heal, and healing can continue for at least a year. During this period, there might be some restrictions on your activity. Remember, the recovery period is just as important as the surgery.

What Aftercare is Required?

Following all the instructions and recommendations provided by your surgical team is important to avoid complications and speed up your recovery process. You may need physical therapy following your surgery, which is aimed to restore the strength of your spine and help you return to everyday activities gradually. In certain cases, you may also need regular checkups. You can choose to undergo physical therapy and/or regular checkup at home in your local hospital if you prefer.

What's the Success Rate?

The success rate of spinal surgery, in terms of pain relief, is around 70% to 90%, depending on the type of surgery and the condition treated. The success and safety rate of spinal surgery is higher than it used to be and will continue to increase, thanks to the continuous advancement of spinal surgery. For example, today, many types of spinal surgery can be done minimally invasively. This means that no long incisions are needed, leading to shorter operative and recovery times. Still, there are risks you need to be aware of, such as bleeding, infection, blood clots, and persistent pain.

Are there Alternatives?

Spinal surgery is only considered when other treatments have not worked. If you do not want surgery, make sure to discuss this with your doctor for the best possible alternative. When surgery is not needed, you may take a pain reliever or even try acupuncture to help relieve the pain. 

Spinal Surgery in and around Delhi

Introduction

Delhi is officially known as the National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT). It is home to the capital of India, New Delhi. With a population of over 18 million, it is the second most populous city in the country. The city is brimming with vibrant modern life but also still steeped in history. People come to the city for its cultural richness and gastronomic scene.

Recently, Delhi has emerged as a medical tourists’ favorite destination. It’s the perfect place for those who seek low cost high-quality, world-class healthcare. India continues to expand its medical tourism sector with Delhi as one of the top hubs for medical facilities. Among the leading hospitals in Delhi are Max Super Specialty Hospital, Apollo Hospital Indraprastha, and BLK Super Specialty Hospital. Breast Augmentation and heart surgery procedures are two of the most popular procedures in the city. Patients come to Delhi for the following reason:

• State of the art medical facilities with international and local accreditation
• Skilled doctors, many of which trained in the UK
• English speaking doctors and staff
• Wide range, cost-effective procedures
• Traditional healthcare therapies and practices such as Ayurveda and yoga

Popular Areas in Delhi

Delhi is overflowing with enchanting history and colorful modern life. The city is made of layers of history, temples, monuments, markets, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Many tourists come to witness its charm and discover its hidden treasures. Go to Old Delhi and visit the Red Fort where a load of people fell in love with its beautiful structure influenced by Islamic, Persian, Hindu, and Timurid traditions. Learn Islamic history in one of the largest mosque in India, Jama Masjid. Shop in Chandni Chowk Market, the largest shopping hub in Delhi. Pay your respect in Raj Ghat, a memorial dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi.

There is also New Delhi, India’s capital, where you can stroll around India Gate, a war memorial that was inspired by the Arc de Triomphe. Humayun’s Tomb, the tomb of the Mughal Emperor Humayun, is also worth a visit for anyone who loves history. Don’t forget to go to the Gandhi Museum (Gandhi Smirti) to learn more about the leader of Indian independence’s life. Tourists can also visit an enthralling historical site known as Purana Qila. In your spare time, you can shop in Janpath Market and Sarojini Market.

South Delhi has many sites to enjoy such as the unique Lotus Temple, the soaring tower of victory Qutab Minar, and the thriving nightlife of Hauz Khas Village. This district also has a famous shopping paradise including Dilli Haat, Shahpur Jat, GK 1 N-block market, and Dastkar Nature Bazaar.

Weather and Climate in Delhi

Delhi has a high variation of temperature between summer and winter. Summer in Delhi can get really hot with an average temperature of around 32°C. The season starts in April to June and the temperature can reach as high as 46°C. It is advisable to avoid this season if you’re planning to do a lot of outdoor activities. The monsoon starts in late June to mid-September. The temperature usually falls to an average of 29°C, but it’s rainy and humid.

The temperature plummets during winter, ranging between 6°C to 7°C. This season starts in November and lasts until March. October to March is the best time to visit Delhi because the weather is neither too hot or too cold.

Getting Around in Delhi

Indira Gandhi International Airport, located 16 km from New Delhi city center, is the busiest airport in India. This airport serves domestic and international flights that connect the city with almost every country across the globe. Terminal 1 is used by budget airlines such as IndiGo and SpiceJet, while Terminal 3 is mainly used for international operations and several domestic flights.

The city center can be reached by bus, airport taxi, and metro. The bus is the most affordable option although it can be very crowded. Taxi is a good way to travel but always use licensed taxis such as WTi Cabs, Meru, and Mega Cabs. App-based taxis like Ola and Uber is another choice of travel. The fastest way to travel to Delhi’s city center is by The Delhi Metro. The travel time is less than 25 minutes and should cost around 10 INR to 60 INR.

There are several transportation modes to get around Delhi. The Delhi Metro is the best option to travel around because it offers comfort and fast travel. Taxis are widely available in the city. The easiest way to call a taxi is by the Ola app. It’s usually cheaper to use Ola than a local taxi stands.

For shortstops, opt for auto rickshaws. They’re affordable and easy to find. Make sure to negotiate the fare before getting in because most drivers will refuse using the meter. The drivers are also known to overcharge foreign visitors. Driving around Delhi is not recommended since the traffic can be time-consuming and there is a lot of bad driving. You can always hire a local driver if you want to get around by car.

Tourist Visas in Delhi

Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan can enter India without a visa. Citizens of Japan and South Korea can apply for a visa on arrival. Citizens of 150 countries can apply for e-Visa which is valid for 60 days. There are medical and medical attendant e-visas for tourists who come for healthcare. Other nationalities are required to apply and obtain a visa before entering the country.

All visitors must hold a passport valid for at least 180 days after their entry to India and should have at least two blank pages.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: the official currency is the Indian rupee (INR). 1 USD converts to 70 INR.
2. Money & Payments: Major currencies such as US dollars, euros, and pounds sterling are easy to change throughout the city. The easiest way to exchange money is by using ATMs. Some shops, restaurants, and hotels will accept credit cards. It is advisable to always carry cash since a lot of places still accept cash only. Restaurants sometimes add a 10% service fee to the bills.
3. Local Language: Hindi is the official language of Delhi. Urdu and Punjabi are widely spoken. Most people will be familiar with English. Many young people shop keepers, and tour guides can speak English very well.
4. Local Culture and Religion: The major religion is Hinduism, followed by Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Judaism.
5. Public Holidays: The city celebrates major religions (Hindus, Muslims, and Christians) holidays. The city hosts many festivals all year round such as The Grub Fest, The Palate Fest, and Holi Festival.