Brain surgery. Just typing those two words made my fingers hesitate on the keyboard. Back in 2018, when Dad started getting those headaches and weird vision problems, our family went into panic mode. The MRI showed something that shouldn’t be there. A tumour. Benign, thankfully, but it still needed to come out.
Google became our best friend/worst enemy. I must’ve read 50+ articles hunting for the best neurosurgeon in Ranchi, but I ended up more confused than when I started. Neurosurgery isn’t just one thing—it’s a whole world of subspecialties that most of us know nothing about until we’re forced to learn.
So, four years later, I’m writing this guide based on what I wish someone had told us back then. There is no BS, no fancy medical terms (well, maybe a few, but I’ll explain them), just practical stuff from someone who’s been there.
So Many Different Brain Docs!
I remember sitting in that hospital cafeteria when Dad’s surgeon, Dr. Sharma, finally explained something that made sense. He said asking for the “best neurosurgeon” is basically like asking who’s the “best player” without saying which sport. Are we talking about Dhoni, Kohli, or someone from hockey or whatever? Different skills, right?
The Brain Guys
Dad had a tumour right behind his eye – a scary spot. When we asked around, we discovered his doctor had done this surgery 37 times before. THIRTY-SEVEN! But get this – the other “famous” neurosurgeon everyone recommended? He’d only done it TWICE. Like, how is that even comparable???
I learned something that keeps me up at night sometimes… with brain surgery, we’re talking about measurements smaller than a grain of rice, making the difference between pleasing and… not acceptable.
Spine Specialists
Then you’ve got the spine experts who fix:
- Those horrible slipped discs that make you scream when you sneeze
- Pinched nerves when your spine gets too narrow (something stenosis?)
- Broken backs from accidents
- Spines that curve the wrong way
OMG, my cousin Amit!!! The guy couldn’t even stand up straight for like three years. I tried EVERYTHING: all those weekend trips to that yoga guru in Ratu Road, the crazy-expensive ayurvedic massage packages, even convincing him to try those acupuncture needles at that Chinese medicine place near Harmu Road (a complete waste of money, by the way).
FINALLY, his wife put her foot down and made him see a proper spine surgeon. Six months later? He’s running around coaching his kid’s football team like nothing happened!
The doctor who fixed him told us over chai that he no longer touches brain cases. He said he did a few during training, but now he’s 100% a spine guy. This made me realize these doctors aren’t just general “brain doctors”—they’re super specialized.
The Kid Brain Surgeons
My neighbour’s daughter (the one with the purple bicycle) was born with this condition where too much fluid builds up in the brain – hydro-something. Scary stuff.
The Electrical System Fixers
- Movement disorders (Parkinson’s, essential tremor)
- Epilepsy that doesn’t respond to medicine
- Certain kinds of terrible chronic pain
- Some psychiatric conditions (super rare, but it happens)
Finding Your Brain/Spine Person in Ranchi
1. Figure Out Your Actual Problem First
Ask the diagnosing doctor: “What exact subspecialty should we seek?” Make them specific.
2. Check Their Actual Experience
After selecting a surgeon the most important thing is to verify all the credentials that has been mentioned by him. This also includes their experience level because no one wants to hire amateur doctors when the situation is this serious.
3. Technology Matters
Not all hospitals in Ranchi have the same equipment, and it matters.
When Dad needed surgery in 2018, only two facilities in Ranchi had the navigation system his surgeon wanted to use. That narrowed our options quickly.
4. The Personality Factor
- Listens to your concerns
- Explain things at your level
- Is available if something goes wrong
- Has a team that doesn’t make you feel stupid for calling with questions
Dad’s surgeon gave us his mobile number. Thankfully, we never had to use it, but knowing we could was huge for our peace of mind.
Questions I Wish We’d Asked
- “What’s the recovery actually like? Not the best case, but the typical case?”
- “What problems might show up 6 months after surgery? A year after?”
- “If you were unavailable during an emergency, who would cover for you?”
- “What symptoms might indicate a complication versus normal recovery?”
- “How many of your patients need a second operation for the same problem?”
Second Opinions Are Not Optional
I don’t care how highly recommended the surgeon is. Get. Another. Opinion.
Sometimes, they completely disagree on whether surgery is even needed! My colleague’s wife was told she needed spine surgery by the first doctor. The second opinion doctor suggested targeted physical therapy first. Two years later, she’s pain-free, with no surgery.
The Bottom Line
Brain and spine surgery is terrifying; no way around it. I drove myself crazy reading horror stories the night before Dad’s operation. Not helpful.
Focus on recovery. Everyday life – which is precisely what you hope for after diving into the scary world of neurosurgery.
Good luck. You’ve got this. And if you need someone who gets it, reach out. Sometimes, talking to someone who’s been through it helps more than any medical website ever could.
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