Tingling, Numbness And Weakness With Back Pain May Signal Nerve Damage, Warns Spine Expert In Indore

Indore, Madhya Pradesh: Lower back or leg pain combined with numbness, tingling or weakness may suggest increasing pressure on a nerve, cautions spine surgeon Dr Ketan Dilip Deshpande at EndospineCon 2026. He warns that prolonged nerve compression can result in permanent damage, potentially leading to paralysis. The timing of surgery differs for each patient, but addressing the issue prior to irreversible nerve damage offers a higher probability of recovery.

Should nerve damage become severe, even endoscopic surgery may fail to restore lost nerve function. On the conference's third day, a cadaveric workshop was held at Sri Aurobindo Hospital's IRKED Centre, where delegates honed their endoscopic procedures skills under the guidance of over 30 experts, emphasizing hands-on training. Dr Girish Datar notes that over 80% of patients with persistent back pain do not need surgery, with only 8-10 of his daily 40 patients typically requiring it.

Physiotherapy, exercise, nutrition and checks for vitamin deficiencies, muscle weakness and dehydration can aid others. Dr Venkatesh Kumar from Chennai states that around 80% of cervical spine issues can be managed with medication and exercise, while injections or minimally invasive surgery, including endoscopic procedures through a 6mm incision, may be considered when necessary.

Air pollution threatens health beyond the lungs, experts warned at ICAAICON 2026's concluding session. Analyzing four days of discussions, Dr Arvind Kumar reveals that over 58% of India's area suffers from pollution, cautioning that its effects extend beyond Delhi and North India, potentially impacting multiple organs, pregnant women, and unborn children.

ICAAI Secretary Dr Raj Kumar clarifies that not all respiratory illnesses stem from allergies, while Indore's air quality stands comparatively better than other regions in North India. The conference explored allergies, asthma, pollution, cutting-edge diagnostics and treatments. Notably, Jaipur's senior specialist Dr Suresh Kulwal is honored with the ICAAI Lifetime Achievement Award 2026.