Spine surgeon Pune Dr Ajay Kothari

25/08/2026

Small incision. Precise technology. Faster recovery.

**MIS TLIF (Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion)** is an advanced spinal fusion procedure used for selected patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis—commonly at the L4–L5 and L5–S1 levels.

With O-arm imaging, navigation, robotic guidance and, where appropriate, endoscopic assistance, surgery can be performed with greater precision through a muscle-sparing approach.

Potential advantages over conventional open fusion include:
- Smaller incision
- Less blood loss
- Less muscle injury
- Shorter operating time
- Earlier mobilisation and faster recovery
- Reduced stress on adjacent spinal segments

The right outcome begins with the right patient selection and a personalised treatment plan.

OArm SpineNavigation LumbarSpondylolisthesis LumbarFusion SpineSurgery BackPain Sciatica SpineHealth Orthopaedics PuneSpineSurgeon

23/08/2026

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Neck pain and stiffness are increasingly common, especially with pr...

18/08/2026

When the Spine Bends: Understanding Scoliosis & Kyphosis

The spine is designed to be strong, flexible, and balanced. But sometimes, abnormal curvatures such as scoliosis (sideways curvature) and kyphosis (excessive forward curvature) can develop.

These spinal deformities can occur at any age—from a newborn baby to an elderly individual in their 80s. The causes may vary with age, ranging from congenital and developmental conditions in children to degeneration, osteoporosis, fractures, and other age-related changes in adults.

The good news is that modern spine care has evolved tremendously. A large proportion of spinal deformities can be managed without surgery, depending on the severity, age, symptoms, and progression of the curve.

Treatment may include:
• Bracing
• Physical therapy and targeted exercises
• Yoga and stretching
• Schroth-based scoliosis exercises
• Osteoporosis evaluation and appropriate medications
• Regular observation and monitoring of the curvature

When surgery is genuinely required—particularly in younger patients with significant or progressive deformities—modern scoliosis surgery has become safer, more precise, and highly effective. With advances in technology, navigation, neuromonitoring, and surgical techniques, these procedures can be life-changing, helping children and young individuals achieve better spinal balance, function, confidence, and quality of life.

The key message is simple: a curved spine does not always mean surgery. Early evaluation, appropriate diagnosis, and timely treatment can make a significant difference.

I am happy to share this article published in Sakal, discussing scoliosis, kyphosis, spinal deformities, and the evolving approach to their treatment.

ScoliosisTreatment KyphosisTreatment SchrothExercises PhysicalTherapy SpineCare PediatricSpine Osteoporosis MinimallyInvasiveSpineSurgery SpineSurgeon HealthySpine BackHealth ScoliosisAwareness SpineEducation

16/08/2026

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Tech neck syndrome refers to neck pain and stiffness that can devel...

13/08/2026

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What does a lumbar slip disc actually look like on an MRI?An MRI ...

11/08/2026

🦴 Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery — Smaller Incision, Faster Recovery

Spine surgery has evolved tremendously over the years. Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MISS) is one of the most significant advances, allowing us to treat many spinal conditions through smaller incisions and with minimal disruption to the surrounding muscles and tissues.

The key advantages include:

🔹 Smaller surgical incision
🔹 Less blood loss
🔹 Minimal muscle and tissue dissection
🔹 Significantly less post-operative pain
🔹 Faster recovery and rehabilitation
🔹 Earlier return to work and daily activities
🔹 Potentially lower risk of adjacent segment problems in appropriately selected cases

Endoscopic spine surgery and tubular spine surgery are important techniques within the minimally invasive spine surgery spectrum. With advanced technology and careful patient selection, these techniques can provide effective treatment while minimizing the surgical trauma.

However, minimally invasive does not mean that every spine problem requires minimally invasive surgery. The right procedure depends on the patient’s symptoms, diagnosis, imaging, overall health and the specific spinal pathology.

The goal is simple:
Treat the problem effectively while causing the least possible disruption to the patient’s normal anatomy.

I am happy to share this article published in Sakal, where I discuss minimally invasive spine surgery, its advantages, applications and the role of modern technology in transforming spine care.

📖 Read. Understand. Choose the right treatment for your spine.

SpineHealth BackPain SpineCare AdvancedSpineSurgery TubularSpineSurgery FasterRecovery PatientCare SpineSurgeon Sakal MedicalInnovation FutureOfSpineSurgery

04/08/2026

Endoscopic Spine Surgery: A New Era in Precision Spine Care

Endoscopic spine surgery has truly transformed the way we treat many spinal disorders. Using a tiny incision and a high-definition endoscope, we can reach the affected area with remarkable precision while preserving the surrounding muscles and normal tissues.

The advantages are significant:
✔️ Minimal tissue disruption
✔️ Lower risk of infection
✔️ Less blood loss and postoperative pain
✔️ Greater surgical precision and accuracy
✔️ Shorter hospital stay
✔️ Faster recovery and earlier return to work and daily life

The evolution doesn’t stop there. By combining endoscopic spine surgery with advanced navigation technology, we can further enhance accuracy, improve safety, and deliver even better outcomes for our patients.

As spine surgery continues to evolve, the focus remains the same: smaller incisions, faster recovery, and better quality of life.

Every patient is unique, and the choice of surgery depends on the diagnosis, imaging findings, and clinical evaluation. Selecting the right patient for the right procedure is the key to achieving the best results.

NavigationSurgery ImageGuidedSurgery PrecisionSurgery BackPain Sciatica SlipDisc DiscHerniation SpineHealth FasterRecovery PatientCare InnovationInMedicine Orthopaedics Neurosurgery SpineSpecialist DrAjayKothari Pune SanchetiHospital

25/07/2026

Understanding spine surgery: from minimally invasive discectomy and endoscopic techniques to fusion and deformity correction — each operation has a specific goal: relieve nerve compression, restore stability, or correct alignment. Read my Marathi article to learn the common procedures, when they’re used, and how modern approaches shorten recovery and improve outcomes.”

SpineCare SpineFusion EndoscopicSpine SpineAwareness Neurosurgery

24/07/2026