Best Hospital for Cervical Disc Surgery in Bhubaneswar

Advanced Cervical Disc Surgery

Not every case of neck pain is caused by a cervical disc problem, and not every cervical disc problem requires surgery. However, for patients who continue to experience severe symptoms despite physiotherapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and injections, surgery may become the most appropriate next step rather than a last option. Persistent arm pain, loss of grip strength, numbness, or difficulty turning the neck without radiating pain into the fingers are signs that conservative treatment may no longer be enough.

CARE Hospitals, Bhubaneswar, provides comprehensive care for cervical disc disorders, including anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), cervical disc replacement surgery, and posterior decompression procedures. The choice of surgery depends on the patient’s imaging findings, symptoms, age, and long-term functional goals.

What is Cervical Disc Surgery?

The cervical spine consists of seven vertebrae extending from the base of the skull to the upper thoracic spine. Between each vertebra lies an intervertebral disc with a tough outer layer and a soft inner core. These discs allow flexibility and movement while also absorbing mechanical stress. Over time, ageing, trauma, or repetitive strain can damage these discs.

When the outer layer of a disc weakens or tears, the inner material may protrude outward. If this disc material compresses a nearby nerve root, it can cause arm pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness, a condition known as cervical radiculopathy. If the protrusion compresses the spinal cord itself, more serious symptoms may develop, including balance problems, reduced hand coordination, and bladder dysfunction in advanced cases. This condition is called cervical myelopathy and usually requires surgical treatment.

Cervical disc surgery refers to procedures designed to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots. At CARE Hospitals, Bhubaneswar, the main surgical approaches include:

• Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF): The damaged disc is removed through a small incision in the front of the neck, and the adjacent vertebrae are stabilised using a bone graft and titanium plate. This remains one of the most established and widely performed cervical spine surgeries worldwide.
• Cervical Disc Replacement Surgery: After removing the damaged disc, an artificial motion-preserving implant is placed instead of fusing the vertebrae.
• Posterior Cervical Foraminotomy: This procedure is performed from the back of the neck and enlarges the nerve exit pathway without completely removing the disc. It is suitable for selected cases involving one-sided nerve compression.

The choice of procedure depends on the location of compression, the number of affected levels, and the patient’s overall clinical condition and treatment goals.

Best Cervical Disc Surgery Doctors in India

Select Location Hyderabad Visakhapatnam Bhubaneswar Nagpur Raipur Indore Aurangabad Clinics & Medical Centers

Select Hospital CARE Hospitals, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad CARE Hospitals Outpatient Centre, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad CARE Hospitals, HITEC City, Hyderabad CARE Hospitals, Nampally, Hyderabad Gurunanak CARE Hospitals, Musheerabad, Hyderabad CARE Hospitals, Bhubaneswar Ganga CARE Hospital Limited, Nagpur Ramkrishna CARE Hospitals, Raipur CARE Hospitals, Ramnagar, Visakhapatnam CARE Hospitals Outpatient Centre, HITEC City, Hyderabad CARE Hospitals, Malakpet, Hyderabad CARE CHL Hospitals, Indore United CIIGMA Hospitals (A unit of CARE Hospitals), Chh. Sambhajinagar CARE Hospitals, Health City, Arilova CARE Medical Center, Tolichowki, Hyderabad

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  Dr. Aditya Sunder Goparaju

  Consultant Orthopedic Spine Surgeon

  Spine Surgery

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• 

  Dr. P Venkata Sudhakar

  Minimally Invasive and Endoscopic Spine Surgeon

  Orthopaedics and Spine Surgery

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• 

  Dr. Praveen Goparaju

  Consultant Minimally Invasive & Deformity Spine Surgeon

  Spine Surgery

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  Dr. Sohael Mohammed Khan

  Consultant

  Spine Surgery

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Why is Cervical Disc Surgery Needed?

The cervical spine supports the head while allowing a wide range of movement, making it particularly vulnerable to injury and degenerative changes.

Surgery is usually considered only after conservative treatment has failed. Most patients initially undergo physiotherapy, medications, cervical collar support, and image-guided injections before surgery is recommended. Surgical treatment becomes necessary when:

• Arm pain caused by nerve root compression continues beyond six to twelve weeks despite appropriate conservative management
• Progressive neurological symptoms such as worsening arm weakness, loss of grip strength, or impaired fine motor skills indicate ongoing nerve damage
• Cervical myelopathy develops, causing spinal cord compression with symptoms like gait imbalance, hand clumsiness, or bladder dysfunction
• A cervical disc bulge causes persistent radicular symptoms that significantly interfere with daily activities despite non-surgical care
• Acute disc herniation results in severe pain or rapidly progressing neurological deficits

When Do You Need Cervical Disc Surgery?

A common concern among patients is how long surgery should be delayed. The answer depends on the severity of symptoms and the response to conservative treatment. Mild symptoms that show gradual improvement may only require monitoring and rehabilitation.

Surgery is generally recommended when:

• Arm pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness persists for more than six to twelve weeks despite structured physiotherapy and pain management
• MRI or other imaging confirms disc herniation or degenerative compression that matches the patient’s symptoms
• Signs of cervical myelopathy such as walking difficulty or worsening hand coordination begin to progress
• Cervical epidural injections or selective nerve root blocks fail to provide meaningful relief
• Neurological deficits are rapidly worsening, increasing the risk of permanent loss of function

A disc herniation seen on MRI alone is not enough to justify surgery. The imaging findings must clearly correlate with the patient’s symptoms and neurological examination. At CARE Hospitals, Bhubaneswar, surgical decisions are based on the complete clinical picture rather than imaging alone.

Who Should Undergo Cervical Disc Surgery?

Not all patients with cervical disc disease are suitable candidates for surgery. Careful patient selection is essential for achieving good outcomes.

Patients who may benefit from cervical disc surgery include:

• Individuals with single-level or multi-level cervical disc disease causing radiculopathy or myelopathy, where clinical findings and imaging are consistent
• Patients experiencing persistent or worsening neurological symptoms such as arm weakness, deteriorating grip strength, or balance problems despite conservative treatment
• Patients diagnosed with cervical myelopathy of any severity
• Younger and active individuals with single-level disease who wish to maintain motion through cervical disc replacement
• Patients in good overall health who are fit to undergo surgery under general anaesthesia

Diagnostic Tests for Cervical Disc Surgery

Planning cervical disc surgery requires a combination of clinical evaluation, imaging, and specialised testing when necessary.

• Digital X-rays: Evaluate disc space narrowing, spinal alignment, degenerative changes, and instability on flexion-extension views
• MRI: Provides detailed assessment of disc herniation, spinal cord compression, nerve root involvement, and spinal cord signal changes associated with myelopathy
• CT Scan: Useful for assessing bony changes, severe spondylosis, and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL), while also assisting with implant planning
• CT Myelogram: Performed when MRI cannot be done or when additional clarification of nerve compression is needed
• Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS) and EMG: Help confirm cervical nerve root involvement and distinguish it from peripheral nerve disorders
• Preoperative Blood Tests: Include complete blood count, coagulation profile, renal and liver function tests, and blood grouping to ensure surgical and anaesthetic fitness

Cervical Disc Surgery Procedure

A. Pre-Cervical Disc Surgery Preparations

Preparation before surgery follows a structured process involving investigations, medication review, and counselling.

• Current medications are reviewed, and blood-thinning medications are stopped as advised by the surgeon
• Blood tests, ECG, and chest X-ray are completed to confirm fitness for anaesthesia
• The surgeon explains the procedure, implant options, expected recovery, and possible risks in detail
• Patients are instructed to fast for six to eight hours before surgery
• Written informed consent is obtained once the patient understands the procedure and associated outcomes

B. During Cervical Disc Surgery

Cervical disc surgery is performed under general anaesthesia. The following steps describe the commonly performed anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) procedure:

• The patient lies on the back with the neck slightly extended, and a small transverse incision is made on one side of the neck
• The surgeon reaches the spine through natural tissue planes without cutting neck muscles
• The affected disc level is confirmed using intraoperative fluoroscopy
• The damaged disc is removed, and decompression of the nerve roots or spinal cord is completed under magnification
• Bone spurs contributing to compression are also removed
• For ACDF, a bone graft is inserted into the disc space and stabilised with a titanium plate and screws to encourage fusion
• For cervical disc replacement surgery, an artificial disc implant is placed to preserve motion without requiring fusion
• The incision is closed in layers using absorbable sutures or skin adhesive

Single-level procedures usually take between 60 and 90 minutes, while multi-level surgeries may take up to two hours.

C. Post-Cervical Disc Surgery Care

Recovery after cervical disc surgery is generally gradual and carefully supervised. Most patients tolerate the immediate recovery period well.

Post-operative care includes:

• Monitoring in the recovery unit until the patient is neurologically and medically stable
• Use of a soft cervical collar for comfort during the initial days or weeks
• Mild throat discomfort or swallowing difficulty after anterior surgery, which usually improves within a few days
• Hospital discharge within 24 to 48 hours for most single-level procedures
• Physiotherapy starting within the first week, focusing on posture correction, neck mobility, and strengthening exercises
• Avoiding driving for two to four weeks and delaying heavy physical work for six to twelve weeks
• Follow-up visits at two weeks, six weeks, and three months with imaging to assess fusion or implant positioning

Arm pain often improves rapidly after surgery, while numbness and weakness may recover more slowly over several weeks or months.

Where can I get cervical disc replacement (artificial disc replacement) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha?

For patients seeking advanced cervical disc replacement surgery in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, CARE Hospitals is recognised as one of the leading spine care centres in Eastern India. The hospital offers modern minimally invasive spine surgery techniques and internationally trusted implant systems from Medtronic to ensure accuracy, safety, and faster recovery.

The procedure is led by Dr. Atmaranjan Dash, who is known for expertise in artificial disc replacement and complex spine surgeries. Patients from across Odisha and Eastern India choose CARE Hospitals for evidence-based spine care and advanced surgical outcomes.

Patients experiencing neck pain, cervical disc prolapse, or nerve compression can access comprehensive and patient-focused cervical disc treatment at CARE Hospitals, Bhubaneswar.

Why Choose CARE Hospitals, Bhubaneswar for Cervical Disc Surgery

Cervical spine surgery requires a high degree of precision because the spinal cord, nerve roots, major blood vessels, and oesophagus are located in close proximity. Surgical expertise, imaging quality, and implant selection all play a critical role in achieving successful outcomes. CARE Hospitals, Bhubaneswar, offers an integrated approach to cervical spine care.

• Experienced Spine Surgeons: Our team specialises in cervical spine procedures including single- and multi-level ACDF, cervical disc replacement surgery, and posterior foraminotomy using advanced minimally invasive techniques
• Advanced Intraoperative Imaging: Real-time fluoroscopy supports accurate level identification and implant placement, while neurophysiological monitoring is available for complex procedures
• Comprehensive Diagnostic Facilities: MRI, CT, CT myelography, digital X-ray, nerve conduction studies, and EMG services are available within the hospital
• Wide Range of Implant Options: Both fusion implants and motion-preserving artificial cervical discs are available to suit different patient requirements
• Multidisciplinary Care: Spine surgeons, neurologists, anaesthesiologists, pain specialists, and physiotherapists collaborate throughout treatment and recovery
• NABH Accreditation: CARE Hospitals follows NABH standards for patient safety, infection control, and quality care practices
• Personalised Surgical Planning: Every surgical decision is tailored according to imaging findings, patient age, symptoms, and functional goals
• Structured Rehabilitation: Physiotherapy is integrated into the treatment pathway from the day of surgery through complete recovery
• Cashless Insurance and TPA Assistance: CARE Hospitals is empanelled with major insurance providers and TPAs to support eligible patients with cashless treatment
• 24/7 Emergency Spine Services: Acute cervical spine emergencies, including rapidly worsening myelopathy and severe radiculopathy, are managed round the clock by the on-call spine team