A gentleman from Uganda had been living with chronic low back pain radiating to his left leg for many years. The discomfort began to slowly affect his daily life, mobility, and sleep. After trying several treatments without lasting relief, he travelled to Artemis Hospital, Gurugram, seeking help from Dr Hitesh Garg, one of India’s leading spine surgeons.
During his evaluation, Dr Garg performed a detailed neurological examination, followed by advanced imaging. The scans revealed that he was suffering from lumbar canal stenosis—a condition where the spinal canal becomes narrowed and compresses the nerves. This explained his persistent pain, leg symptoms, and difficulty walking.
Given the severity of the compression and the long history of symptoms, Dr Garg advised a Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (MIS-TLIF) at the L4–L5 level. The patient agreed, hopeful for relief after years of suffering.
The surgery was performed using advanced minimally invasive techniques, allowing precise decompression of nerves and stabilisation of the spine with minimal tissue disruption. Remarkably, the very next day, he reported significant relief from the radiating pain that had troubled him for years. His mobility improved steadily, and within a short time, he was walking comfortably.
After spending two restful weeks in India for recovery and follow-up care, he happily travelled back to Uganda—pain-free, confident, and grateful for a new chapter in life.
Insight into Lumbar Canal Stenosis?
Lumbar canal stenosis is a condition in which the spinal canal in the lower back becomes narrowed, putting pressure on the spinal nerves.
It commonly causes:
• Lower back pain
• Pain that radiates to one or both legs
• Numbness, tingling, or weakness
• Difficulty standing or walking for long durations
Common Causes
• Age-related degeneration
• Disc prolapse (slipped disc)
• Thickened ligaments
• Spinal arthritis
• Spondylolisthesis (slipped vertebra)
Dr Hitesh Garg’s Opinion: Why Choose MIS-TLIF?
According to Dr Hitesh Garg, MIS-TLIF has become a preferred technique because:
“MIS-TLIF allows us to decompress the nerves and stabilise the spine using the smallest possible incision. It results in faster recovery, less blood loss, reduced muscle injury, and earlier mobility compared to traditional open spine surgery. For patients suffering from long-standing stenosis with nerve compression, it offers a safe and predictable outcome.”
He emphasises that MIS-TLIF combines the benefits of modern technology and surgical precision to help patients return to normal life sooner, with minimal discomfort and excellent long-term results