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Endoscopic Spine Surgeon in Chennai – Dr. Barani Rathinavelu

If you have been told you need spine surgery, the first thing most people ask is whether it can be done through a smaller cut. For a selected group of patients, especially those with a slipped disc or certain types of nerve compression, endoscopic spine surgery is a real option. It is not the answer for every spine problem, and being clear about that is part of choosing the right surgeon.

Dr. Barani Rathinavelu is a fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon whose practice focuses on minimally invasive and navigated spine surgery. His training includes the Indo-American Spine Alliance minimally invasive spine surgery fellowship at the University of Michigan and a fellowship in South Korea, and he consults at Apollo Speciality Hospitals (Vanagaram) and CTS Speciality Hospital (Anna Nagar).

What is endoscopic spine surgery?

In endoscopic spine surgery, the surgeon works through a very small incision using an endoscope, a thin tube fitted with a camera and light. The image is displayed on a high-definition screen, and special miniature instruments remove the tissue pressing on the nerve. Muscles are gently moved aside rather than widely cut. Surgeons at Johns Hopkins describe an incision of less than about 1 centimetre and outcomes similar to traditional open surgery for suitable problems, with quicker recovery and shorter hospital stays. They also note it is used for less complicated conditions such as disc herniation and spinal stenosis.

Common endoscopic approaches include:

1. Transforaminal endoscopic discectomy. The endoscope reaches the disc from the side of the spine, useful for many lumbar disc herniations.
2. Interlaminar endoscopic discectomy or decompression. The approach is from the back, between the bones, and suits certain disc herniations and stenosis at the lower lumbar levels.
3. Unilateral biportal endoscopic (UBE) surgery. Two small portals, one for the camera and one for the instruments, allow more working room for decompression in selected stenosis cases.
4. Cervical endoscopic procedures. Selected neck disc problems causing arm pain.

Which technique, if any, fits you depends on your MRI, your symptoms and the level and side of the problem.

Which conditions may be suitable?

• Lumbar disc herniation with sciatica that has not improved with treatment: see discectomy
• Selected lumbar canal or lateral recess stenosis: see lumbar decompression
• Selected cervical disc herniations causing arm pain
• Recurrent disc herniation in carefully chosen patients

Mayo Clinic reminds us that most people with a herniated disk do not need surgery, which is why endoscopic surgery is considered only after an appropriate trial of non-surgical care, including spinal injections where suitable, unless there is progressive weakness or another urgent indication.

When endoscopic surgery is not the right choice

Endoscopic surgery is less suitable, or not suitable, for:

• Significant spinal instability or slipped vertebrae needing interbody fusion
• Larger deformities such as scoliosis
• Spinal tumors, most infections and unstable fractures
• Very severe multi-level stenosis
• Some patients with unfavourable anatomy on scans

The field is evolving, and academic centres such as Cleveland Clinic discuss when endoscopic surgery is appropriate compared with open and other minimally invasive techniques. An honest surgeon will tell you when a conventional operation is the safer and better option.

Endoscopic vs conventional spine surgery at a glance

Recovery after endoscopic spine surgery

Many patients are up and walking within hours to a day after a suitable procedure, and some go home the same day or the next day. Return to desk work is often quicker than after open surgery, but healing tissues still need protection. A planned rehabilitation programme focusing on core strength, posture and safe lifting reduces the risk of the problem coming back. Disc herniations can recur after any type of discectomy, so long-term habits matter.

Questions to ask before choosing an endoscopic spine surgeon

1. Is endoscopic surgery truly the best option for my scan and symptoms, or is it being suggested because it sounds attractive?
2. What training and experience do you have with this technique?
3. What are the limits and risks, and when would you convert to a standard operation?
4. What recovery should I realistically expect?
5. What happens if the problem returns?

Bring your MRI films to your first visit so these can be answered on your own images.

Find us

• Anna Nagar: CTS Speciality Hospital
• Vanagaram: Apollo Speciality Hospitals
• Also serving Mogappair, Nolambur and Poonamallee
• Full overview: Best spine surgeon in Chennai

Book: call +91 80127 91565 or use the contact page.