SPARSH Hospitals dedicated Spinal Services Unit is geared to providing a range of interventions for spinal care. With an infrastructure geared to provide support to advanced spinal surgeries, with the in house skills and expertise SPARSH Hospital is in a position to handle problems from the cranio-vertebral junction to the Sacrum. Problems ranging from spine infections like tuberculosis, progressive spinal deformities correction and disc problems of the neck and low back, spinal fixation systems and vertebral , There is a special focus on Scoliosis, Spine Deformities and Spina Bifida. In addition patients come to SPARSH Hospital for the following conditions; Whiplash Syndrome, Spondylolisthesis Osteoarthritis, Degenerative Back Conditions, Acute Back/Arm/Neck/Hip Pain, Spinal Stenosis, Spinal Fractures, Sciatica, Sprain injuries and injuries caused by Strains

The Spinal Orthopaedic Service is driven by Dr Gowrishankar Swamy LG, MBBS, D.Ortho, DNB (Ortho)

Govind (name changed to respect privacy) is a 15 year s old boy from Bengal born with a congenital cardiac problem. In addition to this problem, Govind also had a congenital kyphoscoliosis (bent spine). He received treatment for his cardiac problem and at the age of 10 was operated for his spine problem. While it appeared that he had been treated the deformity of the spine continued in spite of the surgery. It was at this stage that he came to hear about SPARSH Hospital. He came to SPARSH Hospital when he turned 15. The spinal problem had aggravated over the 5 years since his operation. He now had a severe deformity with a resultant persistent pain in the back. He was bent forward and had been that way for the past 4 years. Sadly he lost out on his childhood as he could not even engage in simple play with other kids. Dr Gowrishankar and his team operated on him hopeful that in some way they could give him at least a productive adulthood. There was differential uneven growth of the spine due to the congenital problem impairing the normal development of the spine. This manifested itself in the form of a bent spine. The doctors had to remove a portion of the vertebral body to correct the bent spine and then fuse the spine, accurately, in the corrected position and hold it together with implants. Post surgery Govind took his first hesitant steps. With an external spinal brace support, he made his first few steps with an erect spine. Over time he made rapid progress. There was elation in the ward as he stood on his own in a week's time. His life went back to normal and he returned to school . He is now in the process of making up for the lost time.

Sunil (name changed to respect privacy) is the 20 year old son of a small businessman. Sunil started his day like any other day. In what was a regular village activity he climbed a coconut tree, something he had done many times before. But on this fateful day he slipped and fell to the ground hard. He sustained an injury of the spine and passed out. When he regained consciousness he realised that he had no movement below his hips. Sunil was paralysed hip down. Facing a life of acute disability, he came to SPARSH Hospital. After a thorough evaluation it was found that he had a fracture of the lumbar spine with a compression of the spinal cord. He was operated on. In a 4 hour operation his spinal cord was decompressed and then his spine was stabilised. He started progressively recovering and was discharged. The entire team was elated when three months later he came walking into the hospital on his own feet. 10 months after what could have been a life changing accident he is now actively involved in helping his father expand his small business.