Cervical Spine Surgery Cost in India

The cost of cervical spine surgery in India typically ranges from $7,000 to $13,500 USD, depending on the hospital, city, and type of procedure.

Cervical spine surgery covers operations on the neck part of the spine. Most aim to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots, often caused by worn discs, bone spurs or thickened ligaments. The cost depends on:

• Approach: from the front (anterior) or the back (posterior) of the neck.
• Number of levels treated
• Implants: plates, screws, cages or an artificial disc.
• Hospital stay and physiotherapy

Cervical spine surgery covers many different operations. Ask for a quote based on the exact procedure and number of levels.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) describes the main options for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (spinal cord compression in the neck):

• Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF): removes a disc and fuses the vertebrae, often with a plate.
• Corpectomy and fusion: removes one or more vertebral bodies.
• Cervical disc replacement: preserves motion but does not suit everyone.
• Laminectomy, often with fusion: removes bone at the back of the spine.
• Laminoplasty: hinges the bone open to widen the canal while keeping more movement.

The AAOS notes that no single approach has been shown to be superior. The choice depends on the problem and your health.

For myelopathy, the main goal is to stop neurological decline, not necessarily to restore normal function. The AAOS reports that about one-third of patients improve, one-third stay the same and one-third continue to worsen.

Younger patients, those with a shorter duration of symptoms and those with single-level disease tend to do better. Nerve symptoms can keep changing for one to two years.

A typical hospital stay is 1 to 2 days. A collar may be used, lifting is restricted, and physiotherapy often starts at about 4 to 6 weeks. Fusion can take 6 to 12 months to become solid.

General risks include infection, bleeding, nerve or spinal cord injury and a tear in the spinal lining. After front-of-neck surgery, temporary swallowing difficulty and hoarseness are common. Higher risk is linked to older age, obesity, smoking and diabetes.