When patients hear that they may need spine surgery, the first three questions are almost always the same:
- How much will it cost?
- How many days will I need to rest?
- Will it actually work?
In this article, Hyderabad spine surgeon Dr. Praveen Goparaju answers all three for endoscopic (keyhole) spine surgery, in plain language, for patients in Hyderabad and across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
What is endoscopic spine surgery?
Endoscopic spine surgery is done through a cut of about 1 cm. Through it, the surgeon passes a thin tube carrying a camera (an endoscope), and the operation is done on a screen in high magnification.
The surgeon then removes whatever is pressing on the nerve. Most often that is the part of a slipped disc pushing on a nerve. Sometimes it is thickened bone or ligament narrowing the nerve canal.
Because the muscles are gently pushed aside instead of cut, there is usually:
- less pain after surgery
- less blood loss
- a smaller scar
- a quicker return to walking and work
Who is it suitable for?
Endoscopic surgery works best for:
- Slip disc with leg pain (sciatica) that has not improved after about 6 weeks of proper non-surgical treatment
- A disc pressing on a nerve and causing weakness, such as foot drop or a weak grip
- Some cases of lumbar canal stenosis, where the nerves are squeezed and walking brings on leg pain
- Some neck (cervical) disc problems pressing on a single nerve root
It is not the right choice for every spine problem. A slipped vertebra that moves (unstable spondylolisthesis), deformity, a fracture, infection or problems at several levels may need a different operation, such as fusion or open decompression.
The MRI and an examination decide this, not the size of the cut.
How much does endoscopic spine surgery cost in Hyderabad?
There is no single price. The cost depends on:
- The procedure: a single-level disc removal costs less than a decompression at two levels, or a fusion.
- The hospital room category: general ward, sharing room or private room.
- The number of days in hospital: most endoscopic patients stay one night, or go home the same day.
- Implants and special equipment, if your operation needs them.
- Tests before surgery and any other medical conditions, such as diabetes or heart problems, that need extra care.
After seeing your MRI, our team gives you a written estimate, so you know the cost before you decide.
Does insurance cover spine surgery?
Usually, yes. Most health insurance policies in India cover spine surgery when a doctor says it is medically needed, including endoscopic surgery.
Check two things on your policy:
- The waiting period for pre-existing conditions, if your back problem started before you took the policy.
- Whether the hospital is in your insurer's cashless network.
Call or WhatsApp our team on +91 91821 13459. They will tell you which insurance companies and schemes are accepted at CARE Hospitals, HITEC City.
How many days of rest after endoscopic spine surgery?
Every patient is different, but a typical timeline after a single-level endoscopic disc operation looks like this:
| Time after surgery | What most patients can do |
|---|---|
| A few hours | Sit up and walk with support |
| Same day or next day | Go home |
| 1 week | Short walks outside; light work at home |
| 1–2 weeks | Desk or computer work; travel as a passenger |
| 2–3 weeks | Drive a car or ride a two-wheeler, once off strong painkillers |
| 4–6 weeks | Most normal activities, guided by physiotherapy |
| 6–8 weeks or more | Heavy lifting, gym and sports (cleared by your surgeon) |
What helps you recover faster:
- Walk a little several times a day from day one.
- Follow the physiotherapy exercises.
- Avoid bending and lifting heavy weights for the first few weeks.
- If you smoke, stop. Smoking slows healing.
What is the success rate?
For the right patient, the results are good.
- Leg pain: in medical studies of disc surgery for sciatica, about 8 to 9 out of 10 carefully selected patients get good or excellent relief of leg pain. In a large 2022 trial, endoscopic surgery gave leg-pain relief similar to standard microdiscectomy, often with a quicker early recovery.
- The key words are "carefully selected". Surgery relieves pain caused by pressure on a nerve. Back pain from worn discs or weak muscles alone does not improve as reliably with surgery, and is usually better treated without an operation.
Honest risks. Every operation has some risk. With endoscopic surgery these are uncommon, but you should know them:
- The disc can slip again at the same level (about 5–10 in 100 patients over the years).
- A small tear in the nerve covering, usually dealt with during the same operation.
- Temporary numbness or tingling, or infection (rare).
- Rarely, the surgeon may need to switch to a larger opening during the operation.
Your surgeon should explain these for your own case before you decide.
Is spine surgery dangerous?
This is one of the most searched questions about spine surgery.
Like any operation, spine surgery has risks, but serious complications are uncommon when it is done for the right reason. The surgeon works on the nerves, not the spinal cord itself, in most lower-back operations. Tools such as nerve monitoring and navigation, used where suitable, add another layer of safety.
If a nerve stays badly pressed for a long time, weakness or numbness can become permanent, so don't ignore the warning signs below.
When should you see a spine surgeon?
- Leg or arm pain that has lasted more than 6 weeks despite treatment
- Weakness in the foot, leg, hand or arm
- Pain that stops you from walking, working or sleeping
Go to a hospital the same day if you have:
- numbness around the private parts
- new difficulty passing urine or controlling your bowels
- rapidly worsening weakness
Frequently asked questions
How much does endoscopic spine surgery cost in Hyderabad? It depends on the procedure, the room category, the days in hospital and any implants. After seeing your MRI, Dr. Praveen Goparaju's team gives you a written estimate before you decide.
How many days of rest are needed after endoscopic spine surgery? Most patients walk within hours, go home the same or next day, and return to desk work in 1–2 weeks. Heavy lifting usually waits 6–8 weeks.
Is endoscopic spine surgery safe? Serious complications are uncommon when it is done for the right reason. Your spine surgeon should explain the risks for your own case.
Who is Dr. Praveen Goparaju? Dr. Praveen Goparaju is a consultant minimally invasive and deformity spine surgeon at CARE Hospitals, HITEC City and DIA Clinics, Kokapet, Hyderabad, Telangana.
About the author
Dr. Praveen Goparaju is a consultant minimally invasive and deformity spine surgeon at CARE Hospitals, HITEC City and DIA Clinics, Kokapet, Hyderabad. He trained in orthopaedics at NIMS, Hyderabad (MBBS, M.S. Orthopaedics) and holds spine fellowships FASSI, FMISSAB, FAO and FAPSS, with over 12 years of experience. He treats patients from Hyderabad and from across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Read his full profile
Seeing Dr. Praveen
Dr. Praveen Goparaju sees patients at CARE Hospitals, HITEC City and DIA Clinics, Kokapet, Hyderabad.
Coming from elsewhere in Telangana or from Andhra Pradesh? Bring all your scans and reports, so the visit can be planned in one trip. He will explain whether you need surgery at all, and if you do, which operation suits you.
Call or WhatsApp: +91 91821 13459
Related pages (linked in the post):
- Disc surgeries
- Sciatica treatment
- Spinal stenosis treatment
- Lumbar and cervical disc surgeries
- The ultimate guide to slip disc
Sources: Gadjradj PS et al. Full endoscopic versus open discectomy for sciatica: randomised controlled non-inferiority trial. BMJ 2022;376:e065846. NICE guideline NG59, Low back pain and sciatica in over 16s (2016, updated 2020).
This article is for general information and is not a substitute for a medical consultation.
