Scoliosis Surgery in India

Scoliosis surgery in India is up to 85% less than the United States cost.

Video Courtesy: Dr. OP Gupta

Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spinal bones. Spine surgery can help to treat the severe bend of the spine. With the inventions in spine care, spine surgery proves to be highly safe and effective.^[1]Express Healthcare Association of Spine Surgeons of India launches scoliosis screening… “Recent advances in spine surgery, including neuromonitoring, have helped make spinal surgery highly safe and effective today. Innovations in spine care and deformity surgery have also helped significantly improve outcomes.” View in Article

One can expect low-cost scoliosis surgery in India. The cost ranges between $15,000 and $20,000.

Cost of Scoliosis Surgery in India

Overseas patients can save about 75 to 85% on the treatment. In the USA, scoliosis surgery ranges from $62,000 to 1,40,000, while it is less than $20,000 in India.

*Prices may vary with the complexity of a case.

The cost of spine surgeries in India is much less than in the west. Along with low-cost, the success rate of fusion surgery in India is as high as 70%.^[2]Medium Spine Surgery Success Rates India — To get rid out of the back pain “The Spine Surgery Success Rates India for Spinal fusion is around 60 to 70%, which is quite high….” View in Article The high success rate is one of the advantages of spinal curvature surgery in India.

What Does the Price of Scoliosis Treatment Packages in India Cover?

Why get Scoliosis Surgery in India?

Low-cost Treatment – Save up to 85%

Spinal curvature surgery price in India is a fraction of the US cost. Also, travel costs are less in India compared to the west. The average daily cost of travel in India is as low as $31 compared to $223 in the US.^[3]Elets News India’s medical tourism all set to witness glory days in 2020 “…compared to western countries like the US and UK…the daily cost of travel within India at an average is 31 dollars (about Rs 2,232) in contrast to 223 dollars (about Rs 16,056) in the United States.” View in Article

Skilled Spine Surgeons – Ensure Safe Treatment

MTC hand-picked spine surgeons have 20 to 30 years of experience. They have treated many overseas patients. The spine surgeons in India teach and train many young spine surgeons from all over the world.^[4]Indian Spine Journal From plaster beds to robotics… evolution of spine surgery in India/u> “Indian spine surgeons today are teaching and training a large number of young spine surgeons from both within and from outside the country.” View in Article

World-class Treatment – High-quality Care

Our scoliosis surgery centers are certified hospitals in India. They make use of the most advanced technologies for world-class treatments for the spine.

MTC works with the best spine surgeons in India. Our spine surgeons have operated on a large number of scoliosis cases in all age groups. The centers also have state-of-the-art operation theatres.

India excels in postoperative care. The 30 days post-surgery mortality rate is as low as 1.4% in India, compared to 1.9% in the US.^[5]Business Standard Indian medical travel market poised to reach Rs 65,000 crore: FICCI-EY “…the mortality rate after 30 days of surgery is less in India (1.4 per cent) compared to the United States (1.9 per cent) which shows the quality of post-operative care provided by the Indian health service providers.” View in Article

Best Scoliosis Surgeons in India

Dr. Sandeep Vaishya 

• More than 20 years of experience in neuro and spine surgery
• MBBS, MS, MCh. Neuro Surgery, Fellowship
• Specialized in spine surgery & image-guided neurosurgery
• Works at Fortis hospital, JCI, NABH

Dr. Vikas Gupta

• 30+years in the field of neurosurgery
• MBBS, MS General Surgery, M Ch. Neuro Surgery, FINR
• More than 10,000 neurosurgeries & 2500 endovascular procedures
• Works at Manipal hospital, NABL, NABH

Prof. (Col). Dr. Bipin Walia

• More than 20 years of experience in the field of Neurosurgery
• MBBS, MS General Surgery, M Ch. Neuro Surgery
• More than 10,000 spine surgeries
• Works at Max Hospital, JCI, NABH, NABL

Dr. Puneet Girdhar

• Over 16 years of experience in Orthopedics Spine Surgery
• MBBS, MS & M.Ch Ortho.
• Specialized in minimally invasive spine surgery
• Works at BLK hospital, JCI, NABL, NABH

Surgical Treatment for Scoliosis

Types of Scoliosis Deformity

Based on the age and cause of the spinal curvature, some common types are:

• Idiopathic: It is most common in children.^[6]The Open Orthopaedics Journal Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis “Idiopathic Scoliosis is the most common spinal deformity that develops in otherwise healthy children.” View in Article The cause is unknown.
• Degenerative: Its cause is age-related degeneration in disc & spine joints.
• Congenital: It is the least common type.^[7]OrthoInfo AAOS Congenital Scoliosis “It occurs in only 1 in 10,000 newborns and is much less common than the type of scoliosis that begins in adolescence.” View in Article This type is present at birth.
• Neuromuscular: It causes due to neurological problems or a spine injury.

Types of Scoliosis Surgery

Scoliosis correction surgery can be of two types:

1. Spine fusion surgery: The vertebrae are fused using a bone graft, rods, and screws. Eventually, they heal into a single bone.

2. Fusionless surgery: A cord stretches the curved spine. The screws placed on the curve’s outer side hold the cord.

Quality of Life after Scoliosis Surgery

SRS questionnaire helps to know the quality of life in scoliosis patients. Studies show that post scoliosis surgery:

• The young patients have the same quality of life as the rest of the people.^[8]Pubmed Minimum 10 years follow-up surgical results of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients treated with TSRH instrumentation “Results of about 10 years of follow-up these patients treated with…the method is efficient for the correction of frontal and sagittal plane deformities and trunk balance. In addition, it results in a better life quality.” View in Article
• Health conditions and pain have very much reduced in adults. They also have a better quality of life.^[9]Pubmed A risk-benefit assessment of surgery for adult scoliosis “…may stand to gain a disproportionately greater improvement in disability and pain with surgery… there were trends for greater improvements in SF-12 PCS (P = 0.07), SRS-22 (P = 0.048), and back pain NRS (P = 0.06) among elderly patients, when compared with younger patients… “ View in Article

*SRS-Scoliosis Research Society Questionnaire

Scoliosis Surgery Success Rate

The success rate depends on the type and the degree of the spinal curvature.

Reference – ^[10]Scientific Electronic Library Online Surgery for adult spinal scoliosis: Do the benefits outweigh the risks? “…surgical treatment presented a better performance in terms of remission of pain after two years of follow-up (73.2%)….” View in Article, ^[11]Science Daily Vertebral body tethering shows clinical success as a treatment for scoliosis. “At the latest follow-up, 27 patients reached skeletal maturity, and 74% achieved clinical success….” View in Article, ^[12]Science Direct Thoracic disc herniation: Surgical treatment “Of the 13 patients in their study, the satisfaction rate after a 17-month follow-up was 76.9%…” View in Article, ^[13]Spine-health.com Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF) Surgery “Fusion rates for a PLIF should be as high as 90-95%…” View in Article, ^[14]Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Journal Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion Versus Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion as an Adjunct to Posterior Instrumented Correction of Degenerative Lumbar Scoliosis “…Deformity correction was also similar (70%) between ALIF and TLIF groups.” View in Article

Scoliosis Surgery Risks and Side Effects

Scoliosis surgeries today are safe with better outcomes.^[15]Spine-health.com Scoliosis Surgery: Potential Risks and Complications “Scoliosis surgeries today tend to be safer and achieve better outcomes than ever before….” View in Article However, any surgery close to the spinal cord has a few risks. The risks and side effects could include:^[16]MedlinePlus Scoliosis surgery in children “Bleeding, blood clots…Blood loss that requires a transfusion, Gallstones…inflammation of the pancreas…Intestinal obstruction (blockage)…Nerve injury causing muscle weakness…Fusion does not heal…New spine problems may develop…back pain and make the disks break down (disk degeneration)…” View in Article

• Excess blood loss
• Infection of the pancreas or gallstones
• Intestinal block
• Neuro problems
• Spine fail to fuse
• Back pain leading to degenerative disc

Your Medical Trip in India for Scoliosis

You can get your detailed treatment schedule from your medical team in India. Our case manager will take care of all your treatment needs until you reach home.

Pre-surgery Tips for Scoliosis Patients

• Smokers need to quit smoking many weeks before spine surgery.^[17]Spine-health.com Quitting Smoking Before a Spinal Fusion “…quitting smoking prior to a spinal fusion (and remaining a non-smoker) can greatly enhance a patient’s chances for achieving pain reduction and a successful clinical outcome…not just to cigarette smoking but to all forms of nicotine and any product that introduces nicotine….” View in Article
• Try to stay active as much as possible before surgery.
• Spine surgery requires a blood transfusion. One can self-donate or identify potential donors.
• Do not consume blood-thinning drugs before surgery. These can increase the amount of blood loss.
• Follow any other suggestions from your spine surgeon.
• Get to know what to expect at each stage of the healing process. It can help to reduce anxiety and stress.

Scoliosis Surgery Procedure

• An incision is made through the back, belly area, or below the ribs.
• The spine bones are held in place using 1 or 2 metal rods.
• The rods are fixed with hooks and screws until the bone heals together.
• One may wear a back brace for few days to avoid spine movement.^[18]MedlinePlus Scoliosis “Surgery is done with a cut through the back, belly area…The spine bones are held in place with 1 or 2 metal rods. The rods are held down with hooks and screws until the bone heals together. After surgery, you may need to wear a brace for a while to keep the spine still.” View in Article

Note: Spinal fusion surgery requires a bone graft. Generally, the surgeon places small pieces of bone between the vertebrae. The bone graft helps the spine bones to fuse or heal together.^[19]OrthoInfo AAOS Surgical Treatment for Scoliosis “…spinal fusions use some bone material, called a bone graft, to help promote the fusion…small pieces of bone are placed into the spaces between the vertebrae to be fused. The bone grows together — similar to when a broken bone heals.” View in Article

Postoperative Care for Scoliosis Patients

Your doctor will decide the duration of the hospital stay based on your health condition post-surgery. The timeline will vary for each person. The routine for the patient could be^[20]Spine-health.com Postoperative Care for Spinal Fusion Surgery “Spinal Fusion Recovery Time… Hospital Care After Spinal Fusion Surgery (2 to 4 Days)…Spinal Fusion Surgery Recovery: After Discharge (First Few Days)…1 to 4 Weeks After…1 to 3 Months After…3 Months and After…” View in Article:

• 2-4 days post-op: Learn to move slowly.
• Few days after discharge: Avoid bending, lifting, twisting, and driving.
• 1-4 weeks post-op: Can walk, swim, and involve in other water activities.
• 4-12 weeks post-op: Start driving. Return to school or work.
• 12 weeks post-op: Start regular physical activities but avoid extreme activities.
• One-year post-op: Fully get back to a normal lifestyle.

Remember, these instructions from surgeons are on a case-by-case basis. Always consult your spine surgeon before getting back to more extreme activities. Our case managers can help to contact your spine surgeon in India post-surgery.

Scoliosis Surgery Recovery Time

Patients can return to some daily activities in 2-4 weeks. However, the full recovery can take up to 6-12 months. It is slow and steady progress achieved by following a care plan outlined by the medical team.

Medical Tourism in India

Airport

• New Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport Code – DEL.
• For the real-time flight status of New Delhi Airport, check Live Flight Information.
• Find here a list of airlines operating at Delhi Airport (DEL).

Visa Requirement

• With a tourist visa, one can stay for up to six months in India.

Safety

• India is a safe place for travelers. Most tourist areas are risk-free.^[21]iVisa.com Is India a Safe Country to travel to for Spaniards? “Generally speaking, India can be considered an unharmed destination for tourists… the most beautiful sites of India, including the Taj Mahal and Hawa Mahal, are mainly safe for travelers….” View in Article
• On the whole, India is safe for medical tourism as well.^[22]FICCI Medical Tourism in India “They have been successfully treated by some of the highly experienced and trained medical professionals in the country and have safely returned to their home country with a success story of their own.” View in Article

Emergency Numbers (New Delhi, India)

• Emergency helpline: 112
• 24/7 ambulance in Delhi NCR: 102
• Women and child helpline: 1091/1098
• Traffic emergency: 1095 or 011-25844444

Famous places to visit in New Delhi

Qutub Minar

Lotus Temple

India Gate

Red Fort

Lodhi Gardens

Humayun’s Tomb

India offers many healthy spots to go on sight-seeing before the treatment. Patients also visit India for its traditional practices of healing. These include Ayurveda and Yoga.

MTC facilitates low-cost scoliosis surgery in India at various hospitals. We can help you find top specialists for scoliosis treatment abroad.

References

• Express Healthcare: Spine Surgeons of India Launches Scoliosis Screening
• Medium: Spine Surgery Success Rates in India
• Elets News: India’s Medical Tourism Witness Glory Days in 2020
• Indian Spine Journal: Evolution of Spine Surgery in India
• Business Standard: Health Medical Pharma
• The Open Orthopaedics Journal: Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
• AAOS: Types of Congenital Scoliosis 
• Pubmed: 10 years of surgical results of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis patients
• Pubmed: Risk-benefit Assessment of Surgery for Adult Scoliosis
• Scientific Electronic Library Online: Surgery for Adult Spinal Scoliosis
• Science Daily: Clinical Success of Vertebral Body Tethering for scoliosis
• Science Direct: Thoracic Disc Herniation: Surgical treatment
• Spine-health.com: Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion Surgery
• LWW Journal: TLIF Vs. ALIF
• Spine-health.com: Scoliosis Surgery: Potential Risks & Complications
• MedlinePlus: Scoliosis Surgery in Children
• Spine-health.com: Quitting Smoking before a Spinal Fusion
• MedlinePlus: Scoliosis Surgery Procedure
• AAOS: Surgical Treatment for Scoliosis
• Spine-health.com: Postoperative Care for Spinal Fusion Surgery
• iVisa.com: Is India a Safe Country to Travel?
• FICCI: Medical Tourism in India