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Understanding TLIF – Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion

Back pain that does not improve with medicines, physiotherapy, or lifestyle changes can be a sign of deeper spinal issues. TLIF (Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion) is a modern surgical procedure that helps restore spine stability and relieve nerve compression.

What Happens in TLIF Surgery?

The damaged or slipped disc is removed.

A cage (spacer) filled with bone graft is placed between the vertebrae.

Screws and rods are fixed to support the spine.

Over time, the bone graft fuses the two bones, giving permanent stability.

They say, “What is neglected today, may trouble you tomorrow.”
This proverb fits the story of a young man , who came to me with a rather unusual problem in his hand.

They say, “Health is the greatest wealth.”
This proverb perfectly fits the story of a middle-aged construction worker from Hubli, Karnataka, who walked into my clinic with unbearable pain.

A remarkable real-life story from Hubli, Karnataka, where Dr. Mustafa Chandshah, an expert Neurosurgeon, successfully performed a complex brain surgery on a patient with a massive left medial sphenoid wing meningioma. This case highlights the importance of timely consultation with a qualified medical specialist.

In the quiet fields of Gadag, Karnataka, a 53-year-old farmer’s life took an unexpected turn.
(ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದ ಗದಗ ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಯ ಶಾಂತ ಹೊಲಗಳಲ್ಲಿ, 53 ವರ್ಷದ ರೈತನೊಬ್ಬನ ಜೀವನ ಆಕಸ್ಮಿಕ ತಿರುವು ತಳೆದಿತು.)

When Similar Symptoms Tell Different Stories – A Tale of Two Patients

In neurosurgery, it’s often the smallest details that dictate the biggest decisions. This is the story of two patients, both injured in road traffic accidents, both with severe neck pain, and both lucky enough to retain full strength in all their limbs. Their symptoms were alike, but their surgical journeys couldn’t have been more different — all because of a subtle difference on their imaging.

When she walked into my hospital in Hubli, a 45-year-old woman from Adargunchi carried more than just pain — she carried fear. For months, she had been losing the strength in all four limbs. Cutting vegetables, wearing her clothes, and even holding her slippers in place had become daily battles.

Case Overview 

A 20-year-old male from Gadag, Karnataka, presented with weakness in both legs, mid-back pain, and difficulty walking due to pain and loss of strength. Upon thorough evaluation, he was diagnosed with a butterfly D11 vertebra, causing deformity(Kyphoscoliosis) at the thoracolumbar spine.

I recently treated a 3.5-year-old boy from Gadag whose case highlights the importance of timely diagnosis and expert neurosurgical intervention.
ಇತ್ತೀಚೆಗೆ, ನಾನು ಗದಗದ 3.5 ವರ್ಷದ ಬಾಲಕನಿಗೆ ಚಿಕಿತ್ಸೆ ನೀಡಿದೆ. ಈ ಪ್ರಕರಣವು ಸಮಯೋಚಿತ ನಿರ್ಧಾರ ಮತ್ತು ಪರಿಣಿತ ನ್ಯೂರೋಸರ್ಜನ್ ಹಸ್ತಕ್ಷೇಪದ ಮಹತ್ವವನ್ನು ತೋರಿಸುತ್ತದೆ.

Introduction | ಪರಿಚಯ

English:
In today’s era of calorie counting and sugar avoidance, diet sodas are often seen as a “healthier” alternative. But research warns that “sugar-free” may not always be brain-friendly.

As a neurosurgeon in Hubli, Karnataka, I frequently meet patients curious about lifestyle choices affecting brain health. One overlooked culprit? Artificially sweetened drinks.

Kannada:
ಇಂದಿನ ಕಾಲದಲ್ಲಿ ಕ್ಯಾಲೊರಿ ಎಣಿಕೆ ಮತ್ತು ಸಕ್ಕರೆ ತೊರೆಯುವ ಪ್ರವೃತ್ತಿ ಹೆಚ್ಚುತ್ತಿದೆ. ಇಂತಹ ಸಂದರ್ಭದಲ್ಲಿ, ಡಯಟ್ ಸೋಡಾವನ್ನು ಬಹಳಷ್ಟು ಮಂದಿ "ಆರೋಗ್ಯಕರ" ಪರ್ಯಾಯ ಎಂದು ಭಾವಿಸುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಆದರೆ ಸಂಶೋಧನೆಗಳು "ಸಕ್ಕರೆ-ರಹಿತ" ಎಂದರೆ ಅದು ಮೆದುಳಿಗೆ ಸುರಕ್ಷಿತ ಎನ್ನುವುದಿಲ್ಲ ಎಂದು ಎಚ್ಚರಿಸುತ್ತವೆ.

ಹುಬ್ಬಳ್ಳಿಯ ನ್ಯೂರೋಸರ್ಜನ್ ಆಗಿರುವ ನಾನು, ಮೆದುಳಿನ ಆರೋಗ್ಯದ ಮೇಲೆ ಜೀವನಶೈಲಿ ಹೇಗೆ ಪರಿಣಾಮ ಬೀರುತ್ತದೆ ಎಂಬ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಹಲವಾರು ರೋಗಿಗಳ ಪ್ರಶ್ನೆಗಳನ್ನು ಎದುರಿಸುತ್ತೇನೆ. ಅದರಲ್ಲೊಂದು, ಹೆಚ್ಚಾಗಿ ಕಡೆಗಣಿಸಲಾಗುವ ಅಪರಾಧಿ — ಕೃತಕ ಸಿಹಿಪದಾರ್ಥ ಹೊಂದಿರುವ ಪಾನೀಯಗಳು.