Restoring Mobility and Wellness | Dr. Ranjith Unnikrishnan

Understanding Spine Surgery
Spine surgery encompasses a diverse range of surgical procedures aimed at addressing conditions affecting the spinal column and surrounding structures. From degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis to spinal deformities and traumatic injuries, spine surgery plays a vital role in restoring spinal function, alleviating pain, and improving the quality of life for patients.

Conditions Treated with Spine Surgery

1. Degenerative Disc Disease: Spine surgery may be indicated for individuals with degenerative changes in the spinal discs, leading to symptoms such as chronic back pain, radiating leg pain (sciatica), and numbness or weakness in the extremities.
2. Spinal Stenosis: Narrowing of the spinal canal or nerve root canals (spinal stenosis) may require surgical intervention to decompress the affected nerves and alleviate symptoms such as pain, numbness, and difficulty walking.
3. Herniated Discs: When a spinal disc herniates or bulges out of its normal position, causing nerve compression and pain, surgical procedures such as discectomy or laminectomy may be performed to remove the damaged portion of the disc and relieve pressure on the nerves.
4. Spinal Deformities: Conditions such as scoliosis, kyphosis, and spondylolisthesis may require corrective spinal fusion surgery to realign the spine, stabilize vertebral segments, and prevent further progression of the deformity.
5. Traumatic Injuries: Severe spinal fractures, dislocations, or spinal cord injuries resulting from accidents or trauma may necessitate emergency spine surgery to stabilize the spine, decompress neural structures, and restore spinal alignment.

Surgical Techniques in Spine Surgery

• Minimally Invasive Surgery: Minimally invasive spine surgery techniques, such as endoscopic discectomy or percutaneous spinal fusion, involve smaller incisions, reduced tissue trauma, and faster recovery times compared to traditional open surgery.
• Spinal Fusion: Spinal fusion surgery aims to stabilize the spine by fusing two or more vertebrae together using bone grafts, screws, rods, or cages. This technique is commonly used to treat spinal instability, degenerative disc disease, and spinal deformities.
• Laminectomy: Laminectomy involves the removal of the lamina (bony arch) of the vertebra to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots, typically performed to treat spinal stenosis or disc herniation.
• Vertebroplasty/Kyphoplasty: These procedures are performed to stabilize vertebral fractures caused by osteoporosis or trauma. They involve injecting bone cement into the fractured vertebra to restore height, alleviate pain, and prevent further collapse.

Expert Care for Spine Surgery
Dr. Ranjith Unnikrishnan specializes in providing expert care for patients requiring spine surgery in Anayara, Thiruvananthapuram. With his extensive training, surgical expertise, and commitment to patient-centered care, Dr. Unnikrishnan ensures the highest standard of treatment for individuals with spinal conditions.