65-Year-Old Railway Retiree Walks Again After Complex Spine Tumor Surgery at Marengo Asia Hospitals

Faridabad : A complex spine tumor surgery at Marengo Asia Hospitals, Faridabad, has helped a 65–year-old retired railway employee, Ram Manohar from Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, regain his ability to walk. The patient had been suffering from severe spinal issues and was completely bedridden when he arrived at the hospital. Following a successful surgery, he is now back on his feet, and his treatment was carried out cashless under the Railway medical panel.

Dr. Tarun Sharma, Program Clinical Director and HOD of the Brain & Spine Surgery Department at Marengo Asia Hospitals, shared that the patient was referred from a railway hospital and was unable to even sit up. He had lost control over his bladder and bowel movements. Investigations revealed a large hemangioma tumor in the spinal column just below the neck, which was pressing against the spinal cord and spreading into surrounding tissues. This pressure was causing increasing weakness in both legs.

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the medical team conducted a few critical tests and scheduled immediate surgery. The procedure involved removing the damaged bone and tumor to relieve pressure from the spinal cord. Since the tumor had weakened the spine’s structural support, screws and rods were inserted to stabilize the spinal column. The surgery was successful, and within a day, the patient experienced relief from leg pain and stiffness and was able to walk with minimal support. He was discharged after five days of recovery.

The entire treatment was provided free of cost under the Indian Railways medical panel, as the patient is a retired railway employee. Had the surgery been delayed, there was a high risk of permanent paralysis in the lower limbs.

The surgical team also included Dr. Sachin Goyal (Consultant) and Dr. Manish Mishra (Associate Consultant) from the Brain & Spine Surgery Department at Marengo Asia Hospitals.

According to the patient’s family, he had been suffering from progressive leg weakness for nearly two months and had become bedridden with complete loss of bladder and bowel control. He was initially treated at the railway hospital and later taken to a larger hospital in Banaras for further tests. After returning to the railway hospital, a tumor was diagnosed in the cervical spinal region. He was then referred to Marengo Asia Hospitals in Sector 16, Faridabad.

Dr. Tarun Sharma emphasized that the case was particularly challenging due to the tumor’s location and extent. “This type of tumor is rare, often bleeds significantly, and the cervical region offers very little space to operate. Moreover, the spinal cord in this area is thicker and highly sensitive. The patient was also diabetic, which added to the complexity. The surgery lasted about three hours and was successful,” he said.

He further warned that in elderly patients, loss of bladder control is often mistaken for prostate-related issues. However, when accompanied by leg weakness, it could be a neurological problem. In such cases, consulting a neurosurgeon is crucial, as timely intervention can prevent permanent disability.