Spine · Stabilisation
Spinal Fusion & Stabilisation Surgery in Faridabad
When part of the spine has become unstable, fusion aims to make it steady again — and give pinched nerves room to recover.
जब रीढ़ की कोई हड्डी खिसक जाए या अस्थिर हो जाए, तो स्क्रू, केज और हड्डी के ग्राफ्ट से उस हिस्से को स्थिर किया जा सकता है। यह फैसला एक्स-रे, एमआरआई और पूरी जाँच के बाद ही लिया जाता है।
Understanding Spinal Fusion & Fixation
Your spine is a column of vertebrae that move slightly against each other. When one segment moves more than it should — because a vertebra has slipped, a joint has worn out or a bone has broken — it is called instability. It can cause pain on standing and moving, and squeeze nearby nerves. Fusion joins two or more vertebrae so they heal into one solid bone; stabilisation uses screws and rods to hold them steady meanwhile.
In TLIF and PLIF (lumbar interbody fusion from the back), the worn disc is replaced with a cage — a small spacer packed with bone graft — that restores disc height and opens the nerve exits. ACDF treats the neck through a small cut in the front. Dr. Naresh Panwar's published case imaging includes MIS-TLIF and cervical spine fixation; see minimally invasive spine surgery.
Fusion trades movement at one segment for stability, so it is a significant decision. Most people with back pain never need it. It is considered for specific problems such as spondylolisthesis, selected cervical myelopathy and unstable fractures. Patients from Palwal and across Delhi NCR should bring standing X-rays and their MRI, so that the decision rests on clear, shared evidence.
Common symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. Having one of these does not mean you have this condition.
Back pain worse on standing or turning, easing when lying down.
A sudden catch or sense that the back may give way while bending.
Cramping or tingling in the legs, relieved by sitting or bending forward.
Arm pain, weak grip or difficulty with fine tasks from neck instability.
A gradually stooping posture or a curve that seems to increase.
Possible causes & risk factors
Wear of discs and facet joints lets one vertebra slide forward, more often in older women.
A stress crack at the back of the vertebra, sometimes present since adolescence.
A disc that keeps herniating can leave the segment weak and painful.
Fractures, spinal tuberculosis or tumours can destroy part of a vertebra.
When to seek help
Book a routine consultation
- Back or neck pain for several months affecting work.
- Leg heaviness limiting how far you can walk.
- A report mentioning 'listhesis', 'instability' or 'pars defect'.
Seek emergency care
- Loss of bladder or bowel control, or saddle numbness.
- Rapidly increasing weakness in the legs or arms.
- Severe back pain after a fall or accident, or with fever. Go to the nearest emergency department or call 112.
How it is diagnosed
Show whether a vertebra moves abnormally — the key test for instability.
Shows how much pressure the slip places on nerves and discs.
CT gives bone detail for screw planning; DEXA checks for osteoporosis that may affect screw hold.
Available treatment options
Treatment is chosen after examining you and studying your scans. Many people do well without an operation.
Strong abdominal and back muscles act as a natural brace; many people with a mild slip manage well with exercise and weight control.
Pain relief and avoiding heavy lifting help flare-ups settle; the treating team may consider a nerve injection in selected cases.
If the spine is stable, freeing the nerves alone may be enough.
Nerves are freed, a cage with bone graft replaces the disc, and screws and rods hold the segment.
Disc or bone pressing on the cord is removed and the neck level is fused from front or back.
When neurosurgery may be recommended
- Bending X-rays show abnormal movement matching your symptoms.
- Weakness, numbness or walking difficulty is progressing.
- Months of good non-surgical care have not helped enough.
- Fracture, infection or tumour has made the spine unstable.
Procedure overview
A simplified outline. The exact steps depend on your scans and the approach chosen.
- Positioning and imagingUnder general anaesthesia, X-ray guidance confirms the exact level.
- Freeing the nervesBone, ligament or disc pressing on nerves is removed.
- Cage, screws and rodsA graft-filled cage restores height; screws and rods hold the segment still.
- Early walkingWalking with support usually begins within a day or two, as advised.
Potential benefits, risks & limitations
Potential benefits
- Relief of nerve-related leg or arm pain in many patients.
- A steadier spine with less movement-related pain.
- Prevention of further slip at the treated level.
Possible risks
- Infection, bleeding and leg blood clots.
- Nerve injury or spinal fluid leak.
- Screw loosening or non-union, sometimes needing revision.
- Extra wear at neighbouring levels over the years.
Fusion may not remove all back pain, and long-standing nerve damage may recover only partly. The fused level no longer moves, though daily activities usually remain possible.
Recovery & follow-up
Screws hold the spine immediately, but true fusion — bone growing across the segment — takes months. Avoid heavy lifting until advised, and stop smoking, as nicotine slows bone healing.
Walking leads early recovery, with physiotherapy adding core strength. Desk work often resumes over several weeks; manual work may take longer.
Why consult Dr. Naresh Panwar
- Published case imaging includes MIS-TLIF and cervical spine fixation.
- Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery is a listed specialisation at Sarvodaya Hospital, Faridabad.
- MCh (Neurosurgery), SMS Medical College, Jaipur; Senior Consultant & Head Unit (II) – Neurosurgery.
- Member of the Neurological Society of India and the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies.
Questions to ask your surgeon
Write these down and bring them to your appointment.
- Do my bending X-rays actually show instability?
- Could decompression alone work for me?
- Why this fusion technique for me?
- Is my bone strong enough for screws?
- How will we know the fusion has healed?
Frequently asked questions
Will the screws and rods stay in permanently?
Usually yes; removal is rarely needed once fusion heals. They are removed only for a specific problem such as infection or irritation.
Kya fusion ke baad main jhuk paunga?
Usually yes. A one- or two-level lumbar fusion stops movement at that segment only; hips and other levels still let you bend.
Is minimally invasive fusion suitable for everyone?
No. MIS-TLIF can suit selected one- or two-level problems, but severe deformity or certain anatomy may need an open approach.
Can fusion be planned in Faridabad instead of Delhi?
Yes, evaluation and planning can be done at Sarvodaya Hospital, near Escorts Mujesar Metro Station. Bring MRI, CT and X-ray films.
Does smoking really affect the result?
Yes. Tobacco slows bone healing and raises the chance that the fusion does not become solid. Stopping before and after surgery helps.
Related care & reading
Appointments
Your brain and spine health deserve a carefully considered plan.
Request a consultation with Dr. Naresh Panwar at Sarvodaya Hospital, Sector 8, Faridabad. Bring your MRI or CT scans and reports, and the care team will help you prepare.