Dr Pramod Saini Spine Surgeon

30/08/2026

From Severe Back Pain to Walking Comfortably After Endoscopic Spine Fusion

A 45-year-old lady from Bihar had been suffering from severe back pain with pain radiating into both lower limbs for the last few years. Over the past few months, her symptoms had worsened significantly.

Her biggest problem was sitting—she could not sit comfortably for even 5 minutes. Physiotherapy and exercises had failed to provide adequate relief.

Her X-rays showed spondylolisthesis with instability and degenerative changes/osteophytes, while MRI confirmed the neural compression.

She travelled all the way from Patna to Noida and consulted Dr. Pramod Saini at Max Hospital, Noida.

Considering her relatively young age and active lifestyle, she was offered a minimally invasive option and underwent Endoscopic Spine Fusion (Endo-Fusion).

✅ Mobilized within 2 days
✅ Walking comfortably after surgery
✅ At 15-day follow-up, stitches removed
✅ Significant relief in her preoperative pain
✅ Now returning to her hometown

For the next 6 weeks, she has been advised to sit and walk within her comfort limits. An X-ray will be done at 6 weeks to assess the progress of fusion. Once satisfactory healing is confirmed, back-strengthening exercises will gradually be started.

We expect her to progressively return to her normal lifestyle over approximately 3 months.

23/08/2026

Spine OPD – Muzaffarnagar | 27 August 2026

Consult with Dr. Pramod Saini, Associate Director – Spine Surgery, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Noida
For back pain, neck pain, slipped disc, sciatica, spinal TB, spine tumors and advanced endoscopic spine surgery.

📅 27 August 2026 | ⏰ 12 PM–2 PM

📍 Ganga Ram Hospital, Sadar Bazar, Muzaffarnagar

📞 Appointments: 93682 83074



EndoscopicSpineSurgery

19/08/2026

When “Tuberculosis” Is Actually a Spine Fracture: Andersson Lesion

A 35-year-old man with Ankylosing Spondylitis had a fall 6 months ago, followed by persistent mechanical back pain.

Initially treated with painkillers and physiotherapy, his pain progressively worsened until he was unable to get out of bed.

MRI showed a destructive lesion with adjacent vertebral signal changes and was reported as tuberculous spondylodiscitis. Biopsy and anti-tubercular treatment were advised.

When he came to me for a second opinion, the clinical history and MRI suggested something very different: a classical Andersson lesion in an ankylosed spine.

X-ray showed an ankylosed spine, while CT confirmed the fracture/non-union with characteristic sclerosis.

What is an Andersson lesion?

In Ankylosing Spondylitis, the spine becomes rigid and fused, but the bone can be brittle. Even a minor fall or jerk can cause a three-column spinal fracture.

Because the spine behaves like a long rigid lever, excessive forces concentrate at the fracture site. Persistent instability can prevent healing and result in non-union/pseudoarthrosis—an Andersson lesion.

The patient underwent long-segment fixation, decompression, transverse connector and bone grafting because of a large anterior cavity. Biopsy was negative for GeneXpert.

Within two days, his severe preoperative pain had completely disappeared and he was able to stand and walk.

We are progressing with gradual mobilization because the large cavity requires time to heal and excessive forces can compromise healing.

The important message

An Andersson lesion can closely mimic tuberculous spondylodiscitis on MRI.

In a patient with Ankylosing Spondylitis and new mechanical back pain after a fall or jerk:

Think fracture. Think Andersson lesion.

Always correlate clinical history + X-ray + CT + MRI.

Early diagnosis can prevent progressive instability, deformity and neurological deterioration.

Complex Spine Surgery | Difficult Spine Surgery | Challenging Spine Surgery

19/08/2026

11/08/2026

From being unable to walk to returning to her job — a remarkable recovery from spinal tuberculosis.

Priyanka, a 23-year-old young woman from Hathras, Aligarh, presented with severe neck pain and progressive weakness in all four limbs.

Her MRI revealed destruction and collapse of the C5 vertebra with an abscess causing severe spinal cord compression.

She had consulted multiple doctors and had been advised surgery, but fear of surgery had delayed treatment.

At Max Super Specialty Hospital, Noida, evaluation confirmed extensive C5 destruction, spinal instability and spinal cord compression. After detailed counseling, she underwent C5 cervical corpectomy, spinal cord decompression, titanium cage reconstruction and cervical plate fixation.

The biopsy of the destroyed vertebra and pus confirmed spinal tuberculosis. She was subsequently started on appropriate anti-tubercular treatment.

Her recovery was remarkable:

✅ Within 1 month – standing and walking
✅ Within 3 months – pain completely resolved and neurological recovery
✅ At 6 months – collar discontinued and returned to her government job
✅ At 9 months – pain-free, neurologically normal and infection resolved

This case highlights the importance of early diagnosis and timely treatment of spinal tuberculosis.

Spinal TB can cause vertebral destruction, collapse, abscess formation and spinal cord compression. When neurological weakness or significant spinal instability develops, surgery may be required to decompress the spinal cord, restore alignment, stabilize the spine and obtain tissue for diagnosis.

Progressive neck pain, weakness or difficulty walking should never be ignored.

Dr. Pramod Saini
Director & Head – Orthopedic Spine Surgery
Max Super Specialty Hospital, Noida

SpinalCordCompression SpineSurgery CervicalSpineSurgery SpineSurgeon Tuberculosis NeckPain ParalysisRecovery SpinalDecompression SpinalFixation DrPramodSaini MaxHospitalNoida NoidaSpineSurgeon SpineHealth

01/08/2026

A Successful Scoliosis Correction Surgery

A 14-Year-Old girl came to us with a noticeable spinal deformity, shoulder asymmetry, and a prominent rib hump due to a 55° thoracic scoliosis. As her curve had progressed beyond 50° and she was more than one year post-menarche, surgery was the recommended treatment to prevent further progression and improve cosmetic alignment.
We performed scoliosis correction surgery at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Noida, using computer navigation for highly accurate screw placement and intraoperative neuromonitoring to enhance surgical safety. She was mobilized within 2 days and discharged on the 5th postoperative day.
Her postoperative X-rays showed excellent curve correction with balanced shoulders, improved spinal alignment, and a remarkable cosmetic outcome.
Early diagnosis and timely treatment of scoliosis can prevent progression and provide excellent long-term results.
ThoracicScoliosis NavigationSpineSurgery Neuromonitoring AdolescentScoliosis BestSpineSurgeonNoida MaxHospitalNoida SpinalDeformity DelhiNCR

21/07/2026

Endoscopic TLIF (Endo Fusion): The Least Invasive Fusion Surgery for Slip Vertebra / Spondylolisthesis

A 45-year-old lady suffered from severe back pain for over two years. She could not sit for more than 15–20 minutes, and the pain frequently radiated into both legs. Despite medications and physiotherapy, she continued to suffer.

She was diagnosed with lumbar spondylolisthesis (slip vertebra) causing nerve compression.

She underwent Endoscopic TLIF (Endo Fusion) by Dr. Pramod Saini at Max Super Specialty Hospital, Noida.

Unlike traditional open surgery, Endoscopic TLIF uses tiny incisions.

✔ 2 cm incisions for screw placement
✔ 1 cm incision for endoscopic decompression
✔ Disc preparation and cage placement performed under endoscopic guidance
✔ Minimal muscle injury
✔ Less pain
✔ Faster recovery
✔ Early walking
✔ Discharge within 48 hours

Our patient started walking the very next day and experienced remarkable pain relief.

Endoscopic TLIF is currently one of the most advanced and least invasive fusion procedures available for treating lumbar spondylolisthesis, offering excellent long-term outcomes while preserving normal tissues.

If you have persistent back pain with pain travelling into the legs despite treatment, consult a spine specialist for a detailed evaluation.

📍 Dr. Pramod Saini
Director, Spine Surgery
Max Super Specialty Hospital, Noida

BackPain

19/07/2026

Growing Spine. Early Surgery. Better Future.

A 7-year-old girl presented with severe back pain and difficulty walking.

MRI showed destruction of the L4 lumbar vertebra caused by spinal tuberculosis, resulting in spinal deformity.

Most children with TB spine recover with medicines, but when there is severe vertebral destruction and deformity, surgery may be necessary.

Unlike adults, children continue to grow. If left untreated, today’s small deformity can become tomorrow’s severe kyphosis with spinal cord compression.

She underwent:

✔ Posterior decompression
✔ Pediatric pedicle screw fixation
✔ Partial L4 corpectomy
✔ Expandable TLIF cage reconstruction

She was walking within 48 hours.

GeneXpert confirmed rifampicin-sensitive TB, and anti-tubercular therapy was started.

Early diagnosis. Timely surgery. Lifelong benefit.

👨‍⚕️ Dr. Pramod Saini
Associate Director, Spine Surgery
Max Super Speciality Hospital, Noida

30/06/2026

A happy recovery and a new beginning! Patient Feedback after Endoscopic Spine Surgery

Mr. Prashant Kumar from Bulandshahr had been suffering from severe L5-S1 disc herniation for the last four months. The pain had become so intense that he was unable to walk comfortably, stand for long periods, or carry out his normal daily routine. Despite medications and physiotherapy, he found no lasting relief.

After consulting Spine Surgeon Dr. Pramod Saini at Max Super Specialty Hospital, Noida, he underwent an 8 mm endoscopic discectomy. The result was remarkable—he was pain-free and walking comfortably from the very next day.

Seeing patients regain their mobility and return to a pain-free life is the greatest reward.

29/06/2026

Another Happy International Patient from Turkmenistan After Endoscopic Spine Surgery 🇹🇲🇮🇳

Nothing is more rewarding than seeing our patients return to a pain-free life.

Isa, a 30-year-old gentleman from Turkmenistan, had been struggling with severe pain radiating down his right leg for almost one year. His symptoms gradually worsened, making it difficult to sit for long periods and causing him to limp while walking. His quality of life and daily activities were significantly affected.

Seeking advanced treatment, he travelled to India and consulted Dr. Pramod Saini at Max Super Specialty Hospital, Noida.

A detailed clinical examination and MRI scan revealed a large L5–S1 slipped disc, which had increased in size compared to the MRI performed a year earlier, explaining the progression of his symptoms.

Since Isa was young, physically active, and suffered mainly from leg pain without significant back pain, Dr. Saini recommended Interlaminar Endoscopic Discectomy instead of spinal fusion. This modern minimally invasive technique removes the compressed disc through a tiny incision while preserving muscles, bones, and spinal stability.

The surgery was performed successfully under general anesthesia.

Within just 48 hours, Isa was comfortably standing, walking, and smiling with remarkable relief from his leg pain.

Endoscopic spine surgery has transformed the management of slipped discs by offering:
✔ Tiny incision
✔ Minimal tissue damage
✔ Less postoperative pain
✔ Faster recovery
✔ Early walking
✔ Quicker return to work
✔ Excellent outcomes in carefully selected patients