Anshad Shajahankutty, Patient Relative
★★★★★
Oct 7, 2024
My wife experienced a disc re-herniation after undergoing a microdiscectomy in Thailand on first week of March 2024.The condition worsened, severely compressing her nerves and affecting the mobility of her right leg. Her spinal surgeon recommended immediate fusion surgery. Considering the recovery needs, we decided to move to Kerala for the procedure. After extensive research, we found Dr. Ranjith Unnikrishnan at KIMS Hospital in Trivandrum, renowned as one of the finest spine surgeons in Kerala and an expert in scoliosis surgery, which is more complex than disc herniation surgery. Unable to secure an online appointment due to high demand, we used personal contacts at the hospital to get an appointment for April 9th, explaining the urgency of the situation. We arrived in Trivandrum on April 8th and met Dr. Ranjith the following day. After reviewing the MRI from Thailand and conducting a clinical examination, he confirmed that my wife's right leg was semi-paralyzed, with about 70% mobility lost, and recommended immediate fusion surgery. To our surprise, he scheduled the surgery for that same day, emphasizing the risk of delaying treatment. He explained that any delay could worsen her condition, making recovery difficult if the nerve damage became permanent. Dr. Ranjith scheduled the surgery for 9 PM and thoroughly explained the procedure, associated risks, and recovery period. The endoscopic fusion surgery lasted until 3 AM the next day. Dr. Ranjith, a senior surgeon who had been in the outpatient department that morning, stayed until the surgery was completed, showing remarkable dedication. He shared procedure photographs and assured me that, despite some difficulties, he had performed the surgery as best as possible. Amazingly, the next day in the ICU, he asked my wife to get out of bed and walk. Even under anesthesia, she managed to walk, and 80% of her leg mobility was restored, providing immense relief for us. Three months post-surgery, she is still in the recovery phase. The titanium implants used in the fusion surgery take time to fully fuse with the bones, causing occasional pain. While I wasn't entirely satisfied with the nursing care after moving to the room and some administrative procedures, we are grateful for Dr. Ranjith’s expertise and the hospital's facilities.