Spinal Surgery in Telangana

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 Telangana?

You may need to stay in Telangana 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 Telangana

About Telangana

Telangana is the 29th state in the country. Although the state is relatively new, it is rich in cultural heritage and historical sites. It is also the twelfth-largest and twelfth-most populated state in India. In recent years, Telangana has emerged as a major Indian state with a top-class ecosystem to support medical tourism. High-quality healthcare, warm hospitality, competitive pricing, and improvement in-flight connectivity have dramatically transformed the state into a hotspot for inbound medical tourists in India. A majority of the patients come from Oman, Tanzania, the Middle East, Bangladesh, Nepal, as well as Southeast Asian countries. The most sought-after medical treatments are brain and spine surgery, IVF, dental procedures, bariatric surgery, and preventative health checkups. 

Popular Parts of Telangana

Telangana has so much to offer its visitors, from beautiful temples and intriguing history to beautiful nature and interesting wildlife. The most popular destination, both for vacation and medical tourism, is its capital city, Hyderabad. This city is steeped in history, with its Old City being one of the most evocative ancient quarters of India. Here, visitors can admire the impressive Islamic architectures, visit the magnificent Golconda Fort, and explore its busy lanes lined with chai shops and spice merchants. The state’s second city, Warangal, should not be missed either. It was the capital of the Kakatiya Kingdom and it has numerous historical sites and temples, such as Warangal Fort and Thousand Pillared temple.

Transport in Telangana

The only international airport in Telangana is the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, which is located in Hyderabad. It has direct flights from many countries around the world. Lower-cost airlines that operate from this airport include AirAsia, GoAir, and IndiGo. To get around the state, buses are available. Inside big cities, metro, buses, and auto-rickshaws are available.

Visas in Telangana

Citizens of Maldives, Bhutan, and Nepal are allowed to visit and stay in India without a visa. Citizens of other countries will need to obtain a visa. A visa on arrival is available for holders of passports issued by Japan, the UAE, and South Korea, while e-Visa is provided for 150 other countries.

Weather in Telangana

Summer, from March to May, is very hot, with an average temperature of 39°C. From June to September is the monsoon season, which experiences a lot of wet days. During this season, the temperature is a lot cooler than summer, but the humidity level increases significantly. Winter, between November and early January, is mild with pleasant weather. The average temperature in winter is around 13°C to 28°C.

Additional Info

1. Local Currency:  The local currency of Telangana is the Indian Rupee (INR). The exchange rate for 1 USD is approx. 73 INR.
2. Money & Payments:  ATMs can be found in many parts of the state. Credit cards are accepted in most establishments, but always bring cash with you. Tipping is not obligatory. 
3. Local Language: The official language is Telugu, which is spoken by the majority of the people. However, most educated people can also speak Hindi and English, especially in major cities. 
4. Local Culture and Religion: About 84% of Telangana’s population adheres to Hinduism. Other religions are also present, with Islam and Christianity being the biggest minor religions. 
5. Public Holidays: New Year’s Day, Sankranti, Doljatra, Babu Jangjivan Ram Birthday, Independence Day, Bathukamma Starting Day, Vijaya Daasami, and Deepavali are some of the most important public holidays.