Neurosurgery and Neurology · Jaipur Hospital
Nerve Decompression Surgery in Jaipur
Leg pain and numbness from spinal nerve compression — assessment and a clear plan from Jaipur Hospital
- Serving Jaipur since 1991 (35 years)
- NABH accredited
- 24×7 emergency & ICU
- Cashless: RGHS, MAA Yojana, CGHS + 22 insurers
- Operation time
- 1 to 2 hours
- Anaesthesia
- General anaesthesia
- Recovery
- Back to desk work in 2 to 4 weeks
- Price
- ₹1,80,000 to ₹3,50,000typical range in India; ask us for an estimate
Nerve pressure limits daily life
Pain, numbness and weakness that stop you walking
Narrowing in the lower spine presses on nerves. Standing or walking brings pain, heaviness or tingling down the legs. Sitting or bending forward eases it. Over time, the distance you can walk shrinks.
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Leg pain on walking
Pain, heaviness or tingling in the buttocks and legs that forces you to stop and sit.
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Numbness and weakness
Loss of feeling or strength in the legs, sometimes with bladder or bowel changes.
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Daily activities reduced
Shopping, household work and social visits become difficult or impossible.
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Non-surgical options tried
Medicines, physiotherapy and injections have not given lasting relief.
Lumbar spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the space for nerves in the lower spine, often caused by age-related changes in discs, ligaments and joints.
Why Jaipur Hospital
You worry that the pain will keep you from earning, caring for your family, or simply walking to the temple without having to sit down every few minutes.
Your care plan
Your first steps with us
- 1 Call or visit OPD for a neurosurgeon consultation
- 2 Get scans and tests done in-house if needed
- 3 Review options and receive a cost estimate
- 4 Schedule surgery and plan your recovery at home
How the operation is done
Under general anaesthesia, the surgeon makes a small incision and uses a tubular retractor to reach the compressed nerve. Bone and ligament pressing on the nerve are removed. The procedure usually takes 1 to 2 hours with a 1 to 2 night hospital stay.
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Unilateral Tubular Decompression
A single-sided approach through a tube to relieve pressure on one side of the spinal canal.
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Bilateral via Unilateral Approach
Both sides of the spinal canal are decompressed through one tubular corridor.
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Endoscopic Assisted
An endoscope provides magnified vision through the same small tube for precise nerve decompression.
Why patients trust us
- 1991 Serving Jaipur for 35 years
- NABH Accredited hospital
- 1 Neurosurgery and Neurology consultants
- 24×7 Emergency, ICU and ambulance
- 25 Cashless schemes and insurers
What research shows about decompression
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85 in 100 patients improve
A hospital patient guide reports that 85% of patients experience improvement after lumbar decompression, though not always straight away.
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1 in 5 have symptom recurrence
About 20% of patients report a return of pre-operative symptoms a few days after initial improvement.
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10% to 24% complication rate
Surgical studies report complication rates ranging from 10% to 24%, including wound issues, haematoma and reoperation.
If it is left untreated
Without treatment, leg pain and walking distance often stay the same or slowly worsen. About 10% to 20% of patients report back pain, leg pain and walking becoming worse over up to three years.
Life after treatment
Most people walk further with less leg pain and return to desk work within a few weeks, following a gradual recovery plan.
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Walk further
Most people increase their walking distance gradually over 6 to 12 weeks.
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Less leg pain
Leg pain and heaviness usually improve more than back pain.
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Return to work
Desk work typically resumes in 2 to 4 weeks; heavy lifting takes longer.
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Follow-up at three months
A routine review at three months checks your recovery and symptoms.
Frequently asked questions
Questions patients ask about nerve decompression surgery
What does tubular minimally invasive decompression involve?
In short
Tubular minimally invasive decompression at Jaipur Hospital uses a small tube inserted through a tiny incision to reach the compressed nerve. The surgeon removes bone or tissue pressing on the nerve while protecting the surrounding muscles. The operation usually takes one to two hours under general anaesthesia.
In detail
In this technique, a tubular retractor creates a narrow corridor to the spine. The surgeon works through this tube using a microscope or endoscope for clear vision.
Evidence shows that microscopic unilateral laminectomy for bilateral decompression improves function and reduces leg pain similarly to open surgery, with significantly lower opioid use after the procedure.
The approach causes less damage to muscles and soft tissues compared with traditional open surgery, which requires a long incision and extensive muscle retraction.
The tubular method can be performed as a unilateral approach for one-sided stenosis or a bilateral decompression through a single tube, depending on the anatomy and the levels affected.
A common belief
Many people think spine surgery always means a long cut and months of pain.
What actually happens
The tubular method spreads the muscles instead of cutting them, so there is less tissue damage and usually less pain after surgery.
Your next step at Jaipur Hospital
After surgery you typically stay in hospital for one to two nights. Desk work can usually resume in two to four weeks, while heavy lifting and twisting are avoided for the first few weeks. Walking is encouraged early and increased gradually.
A follow-up appointment is usually arranged around three months after the operation. To discuss whether this procedure suits your condition, book a consultation with our surgical team at Jaipur Hospital.
Which tests and scans do I need before tubular minimally invasive decompression?
In short
Before tubular minimally invasive decompression at Jaipur Hospital, you will need an MRI of the lumbar spine to show the exact level and severity of nerve compression. X-rays, including dynamic flexion-extension views, may be added to check for instability or spondylolisthesis.
In detail
The diagnosis of lumbar spinal stenosis is confirmed with cross-sectional imaging, typically MRI, which visualises the spinal canal, nerve roots, discs and ligaments.
The surgeon correlates the imaging findings with your clinical history of neurogenic claudication — leg pain provoked by extension and relieved by flexion. If there is suspicion of instability, standing X-rays in flexion and extension help assess abnormal movement.
In some cases, a CT scan or CT myelogram is used when MRI is contraindicated. Nerve conduction studies or electromyography may be requested if the diagnosis is unclear or to rule out peripheral neuropathy.
Routine pre-operative blood tests, ECG and chest X-ray are done for anaesthesia fitness. The surgical team uses all this information to plan the approach and choose the appropriate tubular technique.
A common belief
Patients sometimes bring an old MRI from two years ago.
What actually happens
Spinal stenosis can progress, so the surgeon usually wants a recent scan that matches your current symptoms.
Your next step at Jaipur Hospital
Bring any previous scans and reports to your consultation. The surgeon may order updated imaging if your studies are more than six months old or if symptoms have changed. Pre-anaesthesia check-up is usually scheduled a few days before surgery. To arrange the necessary investigations and a surgical review, book a consultation at Jaipur Hospital.
How painful is nerve decompression surgery and the early recovery?
In short
Nerve decompression surgery at Jaipur Hospital is done under general anaesthesia, so you feel no pain during the operation. After surgery, you can expect mild to moderate back pain at the incision site. This pain may worsen slightly at first but usually improves gradually over six to eight weeks. Regular simple pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen typically helps manage this discomfort.
In detail
Evidence from surgical centres shows that minimally invasive tubular decompression causes less muscle damage than open surgery, resulting in lower post-operative pain scores and reduced opioid use. The small tubular incision spares the paraspinal muscles.
Most patients report that leg pain from nerve compression improves quickly, while incisional back pain follows a predictable healing curve. The team provides a stepwise pain management plan to keep you comfortable during early mobilisation.
Your next step at Jaipur Hospital
You will receive pain relief instructions before discharge from Jaipur Hospital. Take medicines as advised, increase walking distance gradually, and avoid heavy lifting over five kilograms for the first few weeks. If pain suddenly worsens or new leg weakness appears, contact the hospital promptly.
How long does recovery usually take after nerve decompression surgery?
In short
At Jaipur Hospital, most patients stay in hospital for one to two nights after nerve decompression surgery. You can usually return to desk work in two to four weeks. Full recovery with significant improvement in symptoms is typically seen by twelve weeks, though some patients continue to improve up to two years.
In detail
The minimally invasive tubular approach causes less muscle damage than open surgery, which supports a shorter hospital stay and quicker return to light activity. You will be encouraged to walk from the first day and increase distance gradually.
Heavy lifting over five kilograms, strenuous exercise, and twisting or bending of the back should be avoided for the first few weeks. Intensive physiotherapy is usually deferred until the wound is fully healed, but a home exercise programme is provided.
Pain improves gradually over six to eight weeks with regular simple analgesia. Your surgeon will guide you on when to resume driving and heavier duties based on your progress.
A common belief
Patients often confuse wound healing with nerve recovery.
What actually happens
The skin heals in two weeks, but the decompressed nerve takes months. Pushing heavy activity too early can cause a setback.
Your next step at Jaipur Hospital
Plan for one to two weeks off work if your job is sedentary, longer if it involves physical labour. Attend the three-month follow-up for a formal outcome check.
What changes in strength, sensation, speech, vision, or bladder control need urgent assessment after nerve decompression surgery?
In short
After nerve decompression surgery at Jaipur Hospital, seek urgent care if you develop new limb weakness, numbness in the genital area, or changes in bladder, bowel, or sexual function. Severe new back pain or worsening pain also needs prompt review. Clear watery fluid leaking from the wound with headache or fever requires emergency assessment.
In detail
Evidence from CUH NHS lists specific red flags: new limb weakness, genital numbness, bladder, bowel, or sexual dysfunction, and severe or worsening back pain all need urgent evaluation.
Clear watery wound discharge with headache or temperature suggests a possible dural tear and needs immediate A&E attendance. Persistent wound oozing should be reported to your specialist nurse or GP. These symptoms may indicate nerve injury, haematoma, or infection. Early detection allows timely intervention. The surgical team monitors neurological status during your hospital stay, but new symptoms can appear after discharge.
A common belief
Patients often wait to see if weakness improves or think numbness is normal healing.
What actually happens
These are not normal. They can signal nerve compression or a dural leak. Delaying can lead to lasting damage. Act fast — do not wait for your next appointment.
Your next step at Jaipur Hospital
Keep the hospital's emergency numbers handy. If any red flag appears, do not wait for your scheduled follow-up — go to the nearest emergency department or call Jaipur Hospital's 24×7 emergency line. Attend with an attendant who can describe your surgery. Bring your discharge summary and medication list.
Why might my doctor recommend tubular minimally invasive decompression?
In short
Your doctor may recommend tubular minimally invasive decompression at Jaipur Hospital when non-surgical treatments have not relieved your leg pain, numbness or walking difficulty caused by spinal nerve compression. Surgery is considered when symptoms are sufficiently bothersome and affect your daily activities despite adequate trials of conservative care.
In detail
Evidence indicates that most patients with lumbar spinal stenosis are treated non-operatively first. First-line therapy includes activity modification, analgesia and physical therapy. Epidural steroid injections may provide short-term relief but long-term benefits have not been established.
Surgery becomes an option when these measures fail to control symptoms. In studies, decompressive surgery improved leg pain and disability more than non-operative treatment at follow-up.
The minimally invasive tubular approach achieves similar functional improvement to open decompression while resulting in less postoperative pain and lower opioid requirements. Approximately 85 in 100 patients experience improvement after decompression, though not always immediately, and some continue to improve up to two years later.
A common belief
Some patients hope that more time or another injection will fix the problem.
What actually happens
Evidence shows long-term benefit from injections is not proven, and about one in five patients who delay surgery may see symptoms worsen over time.
Your next step at Jaipur Hospital
The decision depends on your symptom severity, imaging findings and how much the condition limits your life. Your surgeon will review your MRI, examine you and discuss whether the expected benefit outweighs the risks.
If you have been managing with medicines and therapy but still struggle with walking or leg pain, ask for a surgical opinion.
How should I prepare in the days before tubular minimally invasive decompression?
In short
In the days before tubular minimally invasive decompression at Jaipur Hospital, follow your surgeon's specific instructions. These usually include stopping certain blood-thinning medicines after discussion with the prescribing doctor, arranging an attendant for your hospital stay, and preparing your home for a comfortable recovery.
In detail
Your surgeon will give you personalised instructions during the pre-operative consultation. You may need to stop antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs several days before surgery, but only under medical guidance. Continue regular medicines for blood pressure, diabetes or thyroid unless told otherwise.
Complete any pending blood tests, ECG or chest X-ray. Arrange for a family member or attendant to stay with you in hospital for one to two nights.
At home, set up a recovery area with essentials within easy reach, remove loose rugs, and plan for help with meals and housework for the first few weeks. Avoid heavy lifting, strenuous exercise and smoking, as smoking impairs wound healing. You will receive fasting instructions for the night before surgery.
A common belief
Many patients stop their regular heart or diabetes tablets on their own.
What actually happens
That can be dangerous. Always check with the surgical team before changing any long-term medicine.
Your next step at Jaipur Hospital
Confirm your admission time and bring all medicines, scans and insurance documents. Pack loose, comfortable clothing and flat shoes. The hospital will provide a wound care leaflet and physiotherapy guidance. To receive your personalised pre-operative checklist, book a consultation at Jaipur Hospital.
What are the common side effects and the less common serious complications of nerve decompression surgery?
In short
Common side effects after nerve decompression surgery at Jaipur Hospital include mild to moderate back pain, a small fluid collection under the skin near the wound, and constipation from pain medicines. Serious complications are less common but can include wound infection, nerve injury, dural tear with fluid leak, haematoma, and very rarely stroke or death.
In detail
Studies report complication rates between ten and twenty-four percent in surgical groups, though many are minor. A small bulge under the skin from fluid collection is not unusual and often settles on its own.
If clear watery fluid leaks from the wound with headache or fever, it may indicate a dural tear needing urgent care. New leg weakness, numbness in the genital area, or bladder and bowel changes need immediate emergency assessment.
Severe worsening back pain or a persistently oozing wound should also be reported promptly. Constipation is common due to reduced mobility and pain medication; avoiding opiates when possible helps.
A common belief
Many patients worry about paralysis, but major nerve injury is uncommon.
What actually happens
The more frequent issue is a minor wound leak or fluid collection that settles with simple care.
Your next step at Jaipur Hospital
Follow the wound care instructions given at discharge. Walk regularly, eat fibre, and drink water to prevent constipation. Contact the hospital if the wound oozes, you develop fever, or notice new neurological symptoms. Attend the follow-up appointment typically scheduled at three months.
Which symptoms are expected after nerve decompression surgery, and which need urgent medical attention?
In short
At Jaipur Hospital, expected symptoms after nerve decompression surgery include mild to moderate back pain at the incision, a small fluid bulge under the skin, and temporary constipation. Urgent symptoms are clear watery fluid leaking from the wound with headache or fever, new leg weakness, numbness in the genital area, or loss of bladder or bowel control.
In detail
Back pain may worsen slightly in the first few days then improve gradually over six to eight weeks. A small seroma under the skin often resolves on its own. Constipation is common due to pain medicines and reduced mobility; laxatives and walking help.
Red-flag signs need immediate action: a persistent watery leak suggests a dural tear; new leg weakness or saddle numbness suggests nerve compression; bladder or bowel changes suggest cauda equina syndrome. Wound redness, increasing swelling, or pus indicate infection.
Severe worsening back pain that is new also warrants urgent review. The hospital provides a wound care leaflet and emergency contact numbers at discharge.
A common belief
Patients often wait on leg weakness thinking it is just soreness, but new weakness is a surgical emergency.
What actually happens
A watery leak is not normal wound fluid and needs same-day assessment.
Your next step at Jaipur Hospital
Keep the wound dry, take regular simple pain relief, and walk daily. If any red-flag symptom appears, go to the nearest emergency department without waiting.
How will the team balance treatment benefits against the risk to neurological function during nerve decompression surgery?
In short
At Jaipur Hospital, your surgeon evaluates the severity of your nerve compression, your symptom duration, and your response to non-surgical treatments before recommending nerve decompression surgery. The goal is to relieve pressure on the nerves while preserving neurological function. Surgery is usually considered only when symptoms persist despite conservative care.
In detail
Evidence shows most patients with lumbar spinal stenosis are treated non-operatively first. First-line therapy includes activity modification, analgesia, and physiotherapy. Surgery appears effective in carefully selected patients who do not improve with these measures.
The minimally invasive tubular approach aims to decompress the nerve with less muscle disruption than open surgery. Studies report complication rates of 10% to 24% in surgical groups, including risks such as haematoma, dural tear, or nerve injury.
Fusion adds greater risk of blood loss, infection, and longer stays. Your surgeon weighs these risks against the likelihood of meaningful improvement in leg pain and walking distance. The decision is individualised at a multidisciplinary consultation.
A common belief
Many people think surgery is the first option.
What actually happens
Evidence shows most patients improve with physiotherapy, activity changes, and pain relief first. Surgery carries a 10% to 24% complication rate in studies. The team only operates when conservative care has failed and the compression is clear on imaging.
Your next step at Jaipur Hospital
Your surgeon will discuss the expected benefits for your specific compression pattern and the risks relevant to your health. Bring all imaging and previous treatment records to the consultation. Ask about the technique planned for your case. A second opinion is always welcome.
FAQ library
Questions and answers about nerve decompression surgery
When you contact us
Get your assessment and plan
Contact Jaipur Hospital for a neurosurgeon consultation, in-house tests, a clear explanation of options and a cost estimate before you decide.
- A consultation with a neurosurgeon in the OPD
- Your scans and reports reviewed, with tests done in-house if you need them (laboratory, X-ray and imaging)
- Your options explained in plain words, including whether you need surgery at all
- A cost estimate before you decide
- Help with cashless treatment under RGHS, MAA Yojana, CGHS and empanelled insurers and TPAs
- Follow-up visits after your treatment
Overview
Nerve Decompression Surgery: what to know
What is Lumbar Spinal Stenosis and Nerve Decompression Surgery
- Narrowing in the lower back
- Space for nerves becomes smaller
- Pressure on nerves to the legs
- Causes pain, numbness or weakness
- Caused by wear and tear
- Discs, ligaments and joints change over time
Lumbar spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the space for the nerves in your lower back. The precise medical term is lumbar stenosis. This narrowing puts pressure on the nerves that travel through your spine to your legs. The pressure is caused by natural wear and tear changes in the discs, ligaments and joints.
The condition is a clinical syndrome of pain in the buttocks or lower extremities, with or without back pain. It is the most common reason for spinal surgery in patients over 65 years. Lumbar spinal stenosis affects approximately 103 million people worldwide.
Nerve decompression surgery is an operation to relieve the pressure on the nerves in your back. Minimally invasive spine surgery is a procedure to access your spine using methods that are less disruptive to nearby muscles and tissue. In minimally invasive surgery, your surgeon makes one or more small incisions.
A small metal tube or endoscope passes through the incision to allow your surgeon to work through a smaller operating field. This results in much less damage to your muscles, soft tissues and skin compared to traditional open surgery.
Symptoms and warning signs that need urgent care the same day
- New limb weakness
- Numbness in genitals
- Bowel, bladder or sexual dysfunction
- Severe new or worsening back pain
The pressure on the nerves in your back may cause pain in your lower back, buttocks and legs. Sometimes it can also cause numbness and weakness in your legs and disturbance to bladder, bowel or sexual function. The condition is often made worse by standing, walking, or bending backwards and is relieved by bending forward, sitting, or lying down.
You must attend Accident and Emergency urgently if you develop any of the following:
- New symptoms of limb weakness
- Numbness in your genitals
- Bowel, bladder or sexual dysfunction
- A clear, watery fluid leaking from the wound with a headache or temperature
- Severe back pain that is new or significantly worsening
Contact your specialist nurse, GP or call 111 for advice if:
- Your wound is persistently oozing
- You experience severe pain in your back, particularly if this is new
- You find the pain is significantly worsening
Causes and who is at higher risk
- approximately 11% Adults with clinical syndrome
- 600,000 Surgeries per year in the US
The pressure on the nerves is caused by natural wear and tear changes in the discs, ligaments and joints of the spine. These changes reduce the space available for the neural and vascular elements of the lumbar spine.
Clinical care and research into lumbar spinal stenosis is complicated by the heterogeneity of the condition, meaning it can vary greatly between people.
The prevalence of the clinical syndrome in adults is approximately 11%. It is the most common reason for spinal surgery in patients over 65 years. Approximately 600,000 surgical procedures are performed in the US each year for this condition.
How it is diagnosed: examination and tests
The diagnosis of lumbar spinal stenosis can generally be made based on a clinical history of back and lower extremity pain that is provoked by bending backwards, relieved by bending forward, and confirmed with cross-sectional imaging. Before minimally invasive spine surgery, you will meet with your surgeon for a consultation.
They will perform a physical exam and order imaging tests to plan for the procedure. Your surgeon will give you specific instructions to follow before surgery. A surgeon will determine if you are a good candidate for minimally invasive spine surgery. Your spine must be accessible through small surgical corridors.
Treatment options without surgery and when surgery is advised
Do
- Activity modification
- Oral pain medicines (NSAIDs)
- Physical therapy
- Epidural steroid injections
Most patients with lumbar spinal stenosis are treated nonoperatively. First-line therapy is activity modification, analgesia, and physical therapy.
The options for non-surgical management include:
- Drugs
- Physiotherapy
- Spinal injections
- Lifestyle modification
- Multidisciplinary rehabilitation
A systematic review concluded that there is insufficient evidence to recommend any specific type of non-surgical treatment.
Nonoperative treatment includes activity modification such as reducing periods of standing or walking, oral medications to diminish pain such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and physical therapy. Long-term benefits of epidural steroid injections for lumbar spinal stenosis have not been demonstrated.
In a series of patients followed up for up to 3 years without operative intervention, approximately one-third of patients reported improvement, while approximately 10% to 20% reported that their back pain, leg pain, and walking were worse. No side effects were reported for any conservative treatment.
Surgery is usually an option if other forms of treatment, like medications or physical therapy, have not been successful in relieving symptoms. Given that rapid deterioration is rare and symptoms often wax and wane or gradually improve, surgery is almost always elective and considered only if sufficiently bothersome symptoms persist despite trials of less invasive interventions.
Selected patients with continued pain and activity limitation may be candidates for decompressive surgery. Surgery appears effective in carefully selected patients with back, buttock, and lower extremity pain who do not improve with conservative management. Outcomes for leg pain and disability seem to be better for surgery than for non-operative treatment.
Preparing for nerve decompression surgery
Before your operation, your surgeon will perform a physical examination and order imaging tests to plan the procedure. You will meet with the anaesthesia team to discuss the type of anaesthesia; for this surgery, general anaesthesia is typically used.
You should tell your doctor about every medicine you take, including blood thinners, painkillers, and supplements, so they can advise which ones to stop or continue before surgery. You will be asked to fast for several hours before the operation. On the day of admission, bring your regular medicines, comfortable clothing, and any walking aids you use.
An attendant can stay with you in the room. The hospital provides 24-hour laboratory, X-ray, and ECG services on site for any last-minute tests.
How nerve decompression surgery is done
- General anaesthesia given Operation takes one to two hours
- Small skin incision made Metal tube or endoscope passed through
- Surgeon chooses approach for your anatomy Unilateral, bilateral or endoscopic technique
- Wound closed with absorbable stitches Stitches do not need removal
The operation is performed under general anaesthesia and usually takes one to two hours. In a traditional open approach, a long incision is made and muscles are pulled away from the bone. Jaipur Hospital uses a minimally invasive tubular technique.
The surgeon makes a small skin incision and passes a metal tube or endoscope through it to reach the spine, which causes much less damage to muscles and soft tissues. Your surgeon will choose the approach that fits your anatomy and the location of the nerve compression.
Options include unilateral tubular decompression for stenosis on one side, bilateral decompression through the same single tube, or an endoscopic assisted technique for better visualisation. A small portion of bone or ligament pressing on the nerve is removed to give the nerve more room. The wound is closed with absorbable stitches that do not need removal.
Risks and possible complications of nerve decompression surgery
- 10% to 24% Side effect rate in studies
- Wound haematoma, infection, dural tear, nerve injury, cardiac or respiratory problems Reported complications
- Usually settles on its own Small fluid collection under skin
- Not uncommon due to pain medicines Constipation after surgery
As with any spine operation, complications can occur. In studies, the rate of side effects in surgical groups ranged from 10% to 24%. Reported complications include wound haematoma, infection, dural tear with fluid leak, nerve injury, and, rarely, more serious events such as cardiac or respiratory problems.
A small fluid collection under the skin near the wound can develop; this usually settles on its own. Constipation after surgery is not uncommon due to pain medicines.
You should contact the hospital or attend the emergency department urgently if you notice clear watery fluid leaking from the wound with a headache or fever, if the wound persistently oozes, if you develop new severe back pain, new limb weakness, numbness in the genital area, or changes in bladder, bowel, or sexual function. Avoid strong opioid painkillers such as morphine or codeine if possible, as they worsen constipation.
Recovery and aftercare after nerve decompression surgery
- Hospital stay One to two nights
- Back pain improves gradually Significant improvement by 12 weeks
- Follow-up appointment Typically at three months
After the operation, you will wake up in the recovery area. If you had general anaesthesia, you may feel groggy. Most patients stay in hospital for one to two nights. You will likely have mild to moderate back pain that may worsen slightly at first but should improve gradually over six to eight weeks, with significant improvement by 12 weeks.
Regular simple pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen usually helps; take it as per package instructions. You are encouraged to walk and increase your distance gradually. Keep your arms and legs moving to improve blood flow and prevent stiffness or clots. Take regular rest and let comfort guide your activity.
For the first few weeks, avoid:
- Heavy lifting (more than 5 kg in each hand)
- Strenuous exercise
- Contact sports
- Activities that involve pushing, pulling, twisting, or bending the back
Intensive physiotherapy is not recommended until the wound has fully healed, but the physiotherapy team will give you an exercise programme. A follow-up appointment is typically arranged for three months after surgery to assess your recovery; no further scans or X-rays are usually needed for this visit. If you still have weakness or back pain at three months, a physiotherapy review may be useful.
Results of nerve decompression surgery
Surgery is considered when symptoms remain bothersome despite non-surgical treatment. In studies, decompressive surgery improved leg pain and disability more than non-operative treatment. In one randomised trial, decompressive laminectomy improved the Oswestry Disability Index score by 7.8 points compared to non-operative therapy.
Minimally invasive unilateral tubular decompression for bilateral stenosis has been shown to be as effective as open decompression in improving function, with greater reduction in leg pain and lower opioid use. According to hospital data, about 85 in 100 patients experience improvement after the operation, though not always straight away.
Patients have reported continuing improvement up to two years after surgery. Approximately one in five patients may experience a recurrence of their pre-operative symptoms a few days after an initial period of improvement.
In patients followed without surgery for up to three years, about one-third reported improvement while 10% to 20% reported worsening of back pain, leg pain, and walking ability.
Cost and insurance for nerve decompression surgery in Jaipur
The typical price range for this surgery in India is ₹1,80,000 to ₹3,50,000.
The final cost depends on:
- The specific technique used
- The number of levels operated on
- The length of hospital stay
- The diagnostic tests required
- The implants or materials used
- The medications given during treatment
Jaipur Hospital is a NABH-accredited multispeciality hospital with modular operation theatres, an intensive care unit, in-house pharmacy, and diagnostic laboratory.
The hospital accepts patients under:
- RGHS
- MAA Yojana
- CGHS
- A panel of private insurers and TPAs
You can ask the hospital for an estimate based on your planned procedure and coverage.