When a spinal disc puts pressure on nearby nerves, lumbar disc herniation can cause pain in the lower back, pain in the legs, numbness, paraesthesia, or weakness. While symptoms range from mild pain to serious neurological problems, getting the right level of care requires seeing a properly trained physician.
For people looking for a doctor to treat lumbar disc herniation in India, this article compares three different specialists with the relevant expertise in the topics of neurology, spine surgery, and orthopedic spine care:
- Prof. (Dr.) Rohit Chhirolya – Nilakantha Brain Clinic
- Dr. Rajagopalan Krishnan
- Dr. Hitesh Garg
What Is Lumbar Disc Herniation?
Lumbar disc herniation is the occurrence of disk tissue in a spinal disc of the lower back breaking its boundaries and hurting neighboring nerves.
According to the site of the injury and the extent of nerve damage, lumbar disc herniation might lead to:
- Pain in the lower back
- Pain radiating to either the buttock or the leg
- Tingling feelings
- Loss of strength in the legs
- Movements becoming troublesome
- Symptoms deteriorating upon coughing, sneezing, or sitting for prolonged periods of time.
Not every case of lumbar disc herniation is advisable for surgical intervention. Treatment should be based on symptoms, neurology, possibilities of imaging methods to be performed, timing of symptoms, and other factors.
Top 3 Doctors for Lumbar Disc Herniation in India
1. Prof. (Dr.) Rohit Chhirolya – Nilakantha Brain Clinic, Cuttack
Prof. Dr. Rohit Chhirolya holds the position of neurologist at Nilakantha Brain Clinic, located in Cuttack. With qualifications such as MBBS, MD (Medicine), and DM (Neurology), this professional has more than 19 years of experience in the field of neurology, according to information available upon request.
The doctor plays a vital role in the identification of nerve- and movement-related issues along with examining the importance of neurological assessment in case of a doubtful relation between lumbar disc herniation and any concerning symptoms, including loss of sensation, muscular weakness, leg pain, and other signs of nervous malfunction.
Reasons for starting the treatment
Further check-ups if considered necessary by medical personnel
Another measurement that should be taken is making possible online consultations and services related to the field of neurology according to available data.
Why Consider Prof. (Dr.) Rohit Chhirolya?
Assessing a patient neurologically helps to identify if symptoms are in accord with nerve involvement or if further examination and referral are warranted.
In the instance of patients with suspected lumbar disc herniation, a consult may include:
- History of symptoms
- Neurological examination
- Assessment of weakness or sensory symptoms
- Review of prior scans and medical workup
- Assessment of pain that travels
- Discussion of treatment options
Nilakantha Brain Clinic offers teleconsultations on its website, too.
2. Dr. Rajagopalan Krishnan
Dr. Rajagopalan Krishnan is a spine surgeon working for Apollo Hospitals. According to Apollo’s existing biography, he has qualifications including an MBBS, an MS, an MCh (Hons, Liverpool), a PhD (London), and an FRCS Orth. His vast experience in the field of spine surgery is well regarded. In practice, he specializes in spinal disorders and performs evaluations on patients needing surgery and non-surgical treatments.
Why Consider Dr. Rajagopalan Krishnan?
The treatment methods of lumbar disc herniation patients may depend on the seriousness of the condition as well as the length of time the symptoms have continued. The doctor will analyze pictures of the spine, neurological symptoms, pain symptoms, and restrictions in taking action before deciding whether conservative treatment or some other procedure should be used.
According to Apollo, his method consists of a comprehensive assessment and the use of customized surgical and non-surgical therapies.
3. Dr. Hitesh Garg
Dr. Hitesh Garg serves as the Head of Orthopaedic Spine Surgery at Artemis Hospitals, Gurgaon, and is an accomplished orthopaedic spine surgeon. According to Artemis’ list of credentials, he is an MBBS graduate from AIIMS, has his master’s degree in orthopedics (MS Orthopaedics) from KEM, and has received a fellowship in spine surgery from Yale University and a fellowship in the field of pediatric spine surgery from the Shriners Hospitals for Children.
He has a wide practice covering different types of spinal conditions, from degenerative spine problems to complex spine conditions.
Why Consider Dr. Hitesh Garg?
In cases of lumbar disc herniation, spinal assessments by specialists can help in such cases where conservative treatments have failed, or when neurological symptoms are concerning.
Depending on the individual case, diagnostic factors to be considered may include:
- Pain location and intensity
- Nerve symptoms
- Weakened musculature
- Imaging findings
- Previous treatments
- Functional limitations
- Surgical versus non-surgical treatment plans
The decision to go for surgery must always be based on the patient’s medical status at the time.
How Is Lumbar Disc Herniation Diagnosed?
The process of diagnosing lumbar disc herniation usually starts with a medical history and physical and/or neurological assessments.
A physician may review the following:
- Region of pain
- Reflexes
- Muscle force
- Sense of touch
- Mobility
- Time of symptoms
- Past medications
When clinically indicated, it might be necessary to perform MRI or other imaging tests, particularly when the symptoms persist, neurological symptoms are present, or a suspicion arises about another spinal pathology.
It must be stated that abnormal images do not imply surgical intervention in all cases, as the images should be interpreted together with other symptoms and examination findings.
Treatment Options for Lumbar Disc Herniation
The treatment of lumbar disc herniation is based on the patient’s clinical findings and symptoms.
The methods of treatment could be as follows:
Conservative Treatment
Many patients are initially treated without any surgical intervention. The treatment strategy may include activity modification pursuant to the case, physiotherapy, pain management, etc.
Medication Management
The physician may prescribe the relevant kinds of pain or anti-inflammatory treatment based on the patient’s medical history.
Specialist Procedure or Surgery
Some patients experience continuous pain, as well as complications of a neurological nature that necessitate the use of operations or specialist procedures. The treatment option depends on factors like nerve compression, neurological disorders, duration of symptoms, etc.
When Is Lumbar Disc Herniation an Emergency?
In certain circumstances, lumbar disc herniation may result in nerve compression needing immediate medical intervention.
Get immediate medical care if you notice back or leg symptoms associated with:
- New or increasing severe leg weakness
- Loss of control of bowels or bladder
- Loss of feeling near the inner thighs, buttocks, or genitalia
- Rapidly worsening neurological conditions
The described symptoms should not be treated via online consultation or delayed regular consultation.
How to Choose a Doctor for Lumbar Disc Herniation
When choosing a doctor for lumbar disc herniation, it is important to look for:
- Relevant qualifications of the doctor
- Experience in neurological disorders
- Ability to diagnose neurological symptoms
- Access to the required diagnostic instruments
- Experience in both conservative and surgical treatment methods
- Ability to communicate the treatment options clearly
- Need of future management
Considering the fact that in some cases surgery has been suggested, it may be reasonable to ask for the opinion of another physician.
Comparison of the Three Doctors
| Doctor | Primary Specialty | Relevant Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Prof. (Dr.) Rohit Chhirolya | Neurology | Neurological assessment and nerve-related symptoms |
| Dr. Rajagopalan Krishnan | Spine Surgery | Specialist spinal evaluation and surgical/non-surgical care |
| Dr. Hitesh Garg | Orthopedic Spine Surgery | Advanced spine and surgical management |
This comparison is editorial and is not a measure of individual treatment outcomes.
FAQs
What does “lumbar disc herniation” refer to?
A condition that arises as a result of part of a disc herniating in the lumbar region and causing irritation or compression to the surrounding nerves.
Is it necessary to undergo surgery to treat lumbar disc herniation?
Not invariably, as the treatment may commence with non-surgical options based on symptoms and tests performed.
Is there a connection between lumbar disc herniation and pain in the legs?
Because of the irritation or compression of nerves in the lumbar area, a sensation of pain, tingling, or weakness in the legs may occur.
Which kind of physician should you consult on lumbar disc herniation?
Depending on the arising symptoms, one should consult either a neurologist, an orthopedic spine surgeon, or a neurosurgeon.
What is a prompt treatment for lumbar disc herniation triggered by?
Severe weakness, bladder or bowel problems, numbness in the saddle-like area, and other rapidly progressing conditions should be treated without delay.
Conclusion
The symptom range of lumbar disc herniation can vary from moderate back and leg aches to severe nerve pressure. The treatment to be chosen will vary with the symptoms of the patient and the neurological state of the same.
For those looking for doctors who provide treatment for lumbar disc herniation in India, the comparison provided here consists of the following:
- Prof. (Dr.) Rohit Chhirolya (Nilakantha Brain Clinic, Cuttack)
- Dr. Rajagopalan Krishnan
- Dr. Hitesh Garg
The area of expertise of each specialist is different. While Prof. (Dr.) Rohit Chhirolya has experience in neurology, the other doctors have subspecialties in spine surgery.
The specific doctor to be chosen will depend on the symptoms of the patient. It is highly recommended to visit a qualified doctor rather than trying self-diagnosis.
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