In a significant milestone for spine surgery in Kerala, VPS Lakeshore Hospital, Kochi, has successfully performed the state's first adult scoliosis correction surgery using advanced O-Arm imaging technology.
The surgery--led by Dr. Krishnakumar who heads the Institute of Spine and Scoliosis Surgery at VPS Lakeshore Hospital--was performed on a 51-year-old schoolteacher, who had for long been suffering from severe adult scoliosis. Scoliosis is a condition characterised by an abnormal curvature of the spine that can significantly affect posture, mobility, balance and quality of life.
The operation was carried out by a multidisciplinary team comprising spine surgeons, anaesthesiologists, neurophysiologists, operating theatre personnel and intensive care specialists.
The patient had been living with severe back pain, posture-related difficulties and restricted mobility before undergoing surgery. One year after the procedure, she has returned to her normal routine with significant improvement in mobility, comfort and overall quality of life, hospital officials told a press conference.
The procedure used O-Arm, an intraoperative real-time 3D imaging system that provides high-resolution images during surgery, enabling accurate placement of spinal implants and greater precision during complex deformity correction procedures.
The schoolteacher said the surgery had given her a new lease of life, allowing her to resume her profession and daily activities without the pain she had endured for years.
SK Abdulla, managing director of VPS Lakeshore Hospital, said the hospital has consistently focused on making advanced treatment options accessible to patients. He said the successful procedure reflects both the expertise of the clinical team and the hospital's investment in advanced medical technology.
According to Dr. Krishnakumar, adult scoliosis, particularly among patients over 50, has historically been under-treated in India because of limited access to specialised surgical centres and low awareness. He said the O-Arm technology enables surgeons to visualise the spine in real time, improving the precision and safety of complex spinal surgeries.
VPS Lakeshore Group COO Laxman Sethuraman, medical superintendent Dr. Surtha Ram Vishnoi husband, Binoy, were also present at the press conference.
Scoliosis can lead to chronic pain, reduced mobility and breathing difficulties if left untreated. Corrective surgery is particularly challenging in adults because of age-related changes in the spine and the complexity of the deformity. The O-Arm surgical imaging system provides surgeons with real-time three-dimensional images of the spine during the operation. The technology enables highly accurate placement of spinal implants while improving surgical precision and enhancing patient safety.
Doctors point out that the successful procedure also serves to draw attention to adult scoliosis, a condition that often goes undiagnosed or is mistaken for ordinary back pain associated with ageing.
According to global estimates cited by the hospital, adult scoliosis affects more than 8 percent of adults above the age of 25 and up to 68 percent of people over 60. Post-menopausal women are particularly vulnerable to degenerative scoliosis. Declining oestrogen levels after menopause accelerate bone loss and degeneration of spinal discs, increasing the likelihood of progressive spinal curvature.
VPS Lakeshore's Institute of Spine and Scoliosis Surgery provides specialised treatment for a wide range of spinal disorders, including scoliosis and degenerative spine diseases. The centre offers minimally invasive and image-guided spine surgeries supported by multidisciplinary rehabilitation services.