Neuro-Navigation technique gives new lease of life to 77-year-old man with Complex Spine Disorder

— Patient’s mobility finally restored after spinal cord decompressedat multiple levels —

Mandi, March 13, 2023: ( AVAJ APKI NEWS )

The Neurosurgery Team (Brain and Spine) at Fortis Hospital Mohali successfully treated a 77-year-old man suffering from Spinal Canal Stenosisvia the most advanced techniques of Neuro-navigationand Intra-Operative nerve monitoring, available at select centres such as Fortis Hospital Mohali.Any delay in medical treatment would have further impacted the Patient’s ability to walk along with total loss of bladder and bowel control.

Spinal Canal Stenosisrefers to narrowing of the spaces in the spine andcauses pain or numbness in the legs.The Patient’s mobility had also been affected and he had to literally drag his feet to conduct his daily activities, besides experiencing urinary incontinence.

The patient recently consulted DrHarsimrat Bir Singh Sodhi, Senior Consultant, Neuro-Spine Surgery, Fortis Hospital Mohali,where subsequent medical examinationsrevealed that his spinal cord had been compressedat multiple levels and had a large, extruded disc fragment (L4-5 level) – a severe type of disc herniation, leading on to Cauda Equina Syndrome(condition whereboth thefeet lose their power along with loss of urinary control).

The Patient’s MRI of the spine was re-evaluated and Dr Sodhi advised surgeryas a viable option to decompress the spine and to take out the offending disc fragment. The team of doctors led by Dr Sodhisubsequently operated on the Patient wherein the disc fragment was completely removed under a high-end microscope, along with decompression of the adjacent spinal levels. Extreme caution was exercised to prevent any damage to the underlying spinal cord and nerve roots.

Use ofhigh-end technology such as Neuro-Navigation, Intra-Operative nerve monitoring and a high-end microscope provided excellent surgical outcomes and avoided any inadvertent damage to the nerves supplying the legs and urinary system. Neuro-navigation is a computer-assisted surgery that allows a surgeon to ‘navigate’ within the spine with precision. Further, despite the Patient’s age, the surgery had excellent outcomes. He was discharged post three days of the surgery.

Post-operatively, the Patienthas showed marked improvement in his lower limb weakness and is walking with support within 30 days of the surgery and was able to resume his normal activities within3 months after the surgery.

Discussing the case, Dr Sodhi, said, “Disc related ailmentsare common and about 70% of the population seeks medical intervention once during their lifetime. While younger patients complain of acute disc problem, the elderly have age-related spine issues, leading to nerve compression. Any backache and disc-related health issue should be brought to the notice of a spine surgeon immediately.”