Cervical disc prolapse is a condition where one or more of the cervical intervertebral discs herniate or bulge, often leading to severe radiating pain down the arm, a condition known as cervical radiculopathy. This type of pain can be more intense and functionally disabling than the lower back pain associated with sciatica. The resulting discomfort can significantly impair daily activities, sleep, and quality of life.
Individuals with a sedentary lifestyle, poor posture, and repetitive neck strain are more susceptible to cervical disc prolapse. Factors such as heavy lifting, sudden movements, prolonged poor posture, and smoking can exacerbate the condition. To prevent cervical disc prolapse, it is essential to maintain good posture, engage in regular exercise, avoid neck strain, stay hydrated, and refrain from smoking. When determining the most appropriate treatment approach, a number of factors must be carefully considered, including the severity of symptoms, neurological involvement, the patient’s lifestyle, and overall health condition.
Among the available surgical options, the endoscopic approach has emerged as a highly effective, minimally invasive technique. It offers several distinct advantages over traditional open surgery. These include reduced collateral tissue damage, minimal blood loss, a lower risk of infection, and significantly faster recovery time. Furthermore, because the procedure is performed through a very small incision, it leaves little to no visible scarring, providing excellent cosmetic outcomes.
In many cases, endoscopic surgery for cervical disc prolapse can be performed as a day-care procedure, allowing patients to return home the same day and to resume their normal activities much sooner than with conventional surgery. This approach combines clinical effectiveness with patient comfort, making it an increasingly preferred option in modern spinal care.
Dr. P. Keerthivasan
Consultant Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon,
Kauvery Hospital, Chennai
My Journey in Kauvery Hospital from Unbearable Neck pain to ZERO PAIN
On 24th January 2025, I woke up in the morning with excruciating neck pain and I was literally supporting my neck with my hand held at nearly a 45-degree angle. I did not find a single position, be it lying down or sitting or standing, where the pain would reduce, except when holding my head at a 45-degree angle. I was mortified when I realized that I was unable to lift my left hand by more than 20 degrees. I knew it was serious trouble and ran to a local doctor, referred by a friend.
Thereupon, for the next 60 days, I felt like the perfect top ranking test study for Maharishi Veda Vyasa, while he was drafting his legendary Garuda Purana. I endured the painful journey starting all the way from epidurals in my spine, to injections in my shoulder and arm joint bone, all the way to getting patted down with hot potlis and boiling hot Siddha oil baths. Every pot-hole and speed-breaker on the road was a nightmare for my neck and spine. From relatives telling me, “So, a pain in the neck has a pain in her neck!”, to friends recommending every possible pain management remedy available to mankind, to my mother constantly nagging and prodding me to go meet her neurologist, who specializes in neuromuscular disorders, I went through it all!
Finally, as the well-known saying goes “Moms are always right!”, I crawled my way to my mother’s angel, Dr. Bhuvaneshwari Rajendran (neurophysiology and neurology).
But the fun started when she asked me for my MRIs and I knew what was coming next! As expected, as soon as she slid that MRI under the light, the first thing she yelled was “OPEN MRI!”. “Why did you take an open MRI for such severe pain. I need to know what is happening to your spine. I need to know everything! I can’t see anything in this MRI. Why did you suffer pain for so long?” Good lord, she was most upset seeing me in so much pain.
My mother swears by her because she identified my mother’s stroke post-COVID and saved her life. She is one doctor who loathes putting her patients through unnecessary tests and scanners. With my mother, she followed the path of least invasion and her treatment gave my mom 100% results. I wish I had listened to my mother earlier! I don’t have any reason as to why I endured so much pain except, sub-consciously I must have been Maharishi Veda Vyasa’s best case study.
My encounter with Dr. Bhuvaneshwari did not end with my OPEN MRI! After my MRI episode, she physically tested my neck and shoulder, and when she saw that I was completely unable to resist and push back her palm pressure on my left shoulder, she hit the panic button. She immediately rolled me under a closed MRI, and then, in simple words, she told me that a part of my disk between C4-C5 had fragmented and stuck itself to my nerve carrying impulse to the entire left hand. There was no other option than a surgery, to clear that runaway disk particle, which was stuck to the nerve.
The very thought of a hospital, operation theatre, surgery, needles, two-way tap, injections, drips, etc. was very daunting, but I mustered courage and went to meet Dr. P. Keerthivasan, MBBS, MS (Ortho). As I entered Kauvery Hospital, I carried the assurance that he is one of the best doctors in India and I will be in safe hands. The registration process was very smooth and uneventful. Waiting area was spacious, well-lit, and clean. I finally met Dr. P. Keerthivasan, with my head tilted at a 45-degree angle, supported by my palm and unbearable pain.
He carefully reviewed my MRI, then checked the nerve weakness path, and thereafter, very politely told me that I needed a surgery. He gave me two options along with the practical analysis on both, the traditional and the advanced surgery process. I chose the advanced. He explained the entire process of the surgery, all the way from pre-operation to discharge, like a movie.
During the discussion on such a serious issue, Dr Keerthivasan was very empathetic, polite, articulate, confident, clear, and definite with the entire process. The best part is, though he is such an experienced and senior doctor, he is very humble; he smiles and talks like a normal person, unlike many doctors I have recently come across. Through the discussion with him, there was absolutely no anxiety or restlessness in his persona and voice. He had the most soothing aura and radiated positive and calm energy. My heart felt safe and my head followed suit. I had finally reached the “healing-hands”!
We selected 21st March 2025 for the surgery and 20th March 2025 for admission. He also assured me that post-surgery, if I showed good signs of recovery, he will discharge me the very next day.
On 20th March 2025, like a superhero, I reached Kauvery Hospital and checked myself in, along with my assistant. The admission process was flawless, the hospital staff from the reception desk up to the ward were very kind, polite and helpful. All my pre-operation tests were conducted like clockwork, various specialists including the anaesthetist and his team, the dietician, doctors on rounds, and head nurse along with her team came in to review me pre-operation. I was informed well in advance to stop eating and drinking post 6 PM and thereafter, even at night, there were doctors and nurses who came to check on me, to see if I am complying with the pre-operation requirements and if my vitals were good. The staff and doctors were very friendly and cooperative. Even for a second, I did not feel I was in Kauvery Hospital for a serious surgery of my neck, which would last for over 3 hours, on general anaesthesia.
Next day at 8 AM, a team of highly energetic, vibrant and happy nurses came to my room, changed me into my OT gown and rolled me into my surgery OT. When I reached the OT, given that I could not turn around and was only able to see the celling, for a few moments I felt a chill of fear crawl up my spine. Before the fear factor could hit me, Dr. Keerthivasan in his scrubs peeped over like a crane, wearing a HUGE SMILE and asked “Are you ready?” For a second I forgot my pain and I nearly answered “Yes I am Reddy.”, but instead, politely said “Yes, Doctor.”
I could see the team of doctors around me in scrubs, masks, head wraps, some washing their hands, some wearing their gloves and despite so much of movement around me, there was so much calm and peace in the OT. I wanted my Rudraksh to be with me during surgery, which nurse Merlin promised to bring to me, post-surgery.
Soon, I saw the anaesthetist Dr. Najib and his team checking my drip line. Then, they gently clasped my wrist with a tight grip and started sliding a huge needle into my hand. I quickly turned my face towards Dr. Keerthivasan who was peacefully standing by my side, with a peaceful and confident smile on his face. I smiled back at him while I kept chanting “Om Nama Shivaya” and THE NEXT I remember was hearing somebody repeatedly telling me “Ma’am… please raise your right hand… now raise your left hand… can you now raise your left foot?” I was OUT OF SURGERY!
I vaguely remember that I was grappling to get myself out of drowsiness, when my first thoughts raced to my three-year-old Labrador “Leo”. Then, as I was wrestling with my eyelids to open, while my head was trying to find orientation, I could hear a lady’s voice telling me that my surgery was successful. As I was getting my focus back and my eyes opened, I saw a blurred silhouette of Dr. Bhuvaneshwari. She was standing by my side and was beaming with a huge smile, telling me that my surgery was very successful. Then, I saw Dr. Keerthivasan who was also smiling and he told me that everything went very well. In a few minutes, I was out of sedation and after over 70 days of suffering every single pain recorded under the Garuda Purana, I felt NO PAIN in my neck. IT WAS GONE! MY PAIN WAS OVER!
There is an entire volume which I can write on my journey from the recovery room in Kauvery Hospital until my discharge on 22nd March 2025, but I will leave that story for another day.
I wholeheartedly thank Kauvery Hospital for my successful surgery from unbearable neck pain to ZERO PAIN.
I take this opportunity to thank Dr. Balamurali, Dr. Soma Sundar and their team, Dr. Najib and his team and special thanks to Ms. Sunita for flawless administration. I thank the insurance team for processing my papers without any delays. Special thanks to nurse Merlin who was my backbone and pillar through my surgery from the stage of first examination, surgery, discharge and thereafter, post-discharge follow-ups. She is a person who honored her promise to me, held on to my Rudraksh in her coat and wrapped it around my wrist as soon as I got into the recovery room. Thank you, Merlin!
A very special thanks to my most adorable Dr. Bhuvaneshwari for acting ON TIME, not taking her patients for granted, understanding and empathizing with the unexpressed words and pain of her patients, her single-minded focus to know her patients’ cases inside-out and above all, for her passion in her subject. Special thank you to nurse Jaya for all her patience, timely willing support, kindness and prayers.
Above all, I express my heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Keerthivasan for his “powerful steady healing-hands”, simplicity, sincerity, knowledge, commitment towards his patients, kindness and for preserving the niceness of his heart! Thank you doctor for making my healing process so comfortable and smooth!
Thank you, Kauvery Hospital!
– Ms Archana Reddy, Lawyer
