A rare motion-preserving spine surgery is emerging as a promising alternative for carefully selected patients, offering renewed hope to young individuals suffering from chronic neck and severe back pain.
Advances in spinal surgery are creating new possibilities—not only for pain relief but also for restoring mobility, independence and overall quality of life.
A 35-year-old patient experiencing severe neck pain, debilitating lower back pain, numbness and significant functional limitations recently underwent a rare simultaneous motion-preserving spine procedure. Remarkably, the patient was able to walk on the same day following surgery.
The complex operation was performed at Shalby International Hospital, Gurugram, by a team led by renowned Advanced Spine and Robotic Joint Replacement Surgeon Dr. Rajesh K. Verma. The case highlights how innovations in motion-preserving technologies are transforming the treatment of spinal disorders.
During a single surgical session, Dr. Verma and his team carried out a two-level artificial cervical disc replacement along with a one-level lumbar disc replacement through an anterior approach.
The procedure is particularly beneficial for younger patients seeking to maintain an active lifestyle. Research has shown that cervical and lumbar disc replacement can provide significant pain relief, improve neurological function and preserve spinal mobility.
While a two-level cervical disc replacement alone requires considerable expertise, combining it with a lumbar disc replacement in the same surgical sitting substantially increases complexity. The procedure demands meticulous planning, careful patient selection, advanced surgical skills and seamless teamwork.
According to the medical team, all three diseased discs were successfully replaced in a single operation, achieving neural decompression, restoration of spinal alignment and preservation of motion across the treated segments.
“The biggest achievement was the patient’s recovery. The patient was able to walk on the same day of surgery,” the doctors said.
Dr. Verma noted that motion-preserving spine surgery has emerged over the past decade as an important alternative for selected patients, particularly when conservative treatments fail.
“Not every patient is a candidate for this procedure. Spinal instability, severe arthritis, deformity or advanced degeneration may still make spinal fusion the preferred treatment option. However, for appropriately selected patients, disc arthroplasty offers the dual benefit of symptom relief and preservation of natural spinal biomechanics,” he said.