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Academic Profile & Biography

Dr. Sajan K. Hegde

Establishing clinical benchmarks in spinal deformity correction across South Asia.

Biography

Dr. Sajan K. Hegde is a highly experienced and respected spine surgeon known for treating complex spine disorders using advanced and minimally invasive techniques. He specializes in managing conditions of the neck, back, and spinal deformities in both children and adults, with a focus on safe treatment and long-term functional recovery.

Over the years, he has developed particular expertise in revision spine surgery (previously failed spine operations), scoliosis correction, and motion-preserving non-fusion procedures. His treatment philosophy emphasizes precise diagnosis, avoiding unnecessary surgery whenever possible, and choosing the most appropriate treatment plan for each patient.

Patients from different parts of the world travel to consult Dr. Sajan K. Hegde for specialized spine care and second opinions. Many international patients seek his expertise in complex and revision spine surgeries that require advanced surgical planning and experience. Our team also assists with pre-visit guidance, appointment coordination, and post-treatment follow-up to make the treatment journey smooth and comfortable.

Education & Professional Career

1989 - 1994

Consultant Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon

Madras Institute of Orthopaedics & Traumatology, Vijaya Hospitals, Chennai, India

1985 - 1988

Junior Consultant

P.D. Hinduja Sindhi Hospital, Bangalore, India

1985

Master of Surgery (MS) in Orthopaedics

Baroda Medical College, Maharaja Sayaji Rao University, Baroda, India

1980

Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)

Baroda Medical College, Maharaja Sayaji Rao University, Baroda, India

Spine Fellowships & International Residencies

1999

Visiting Surgeon (Germany)

Unit of Prof. Harms, Spine Centre Klinikum, Karlsbad-Langensteinbach, Karlsbad, Germany

1998

Visiting Surgeon (Germany)

Unit of Dr. Henry Halm, Spine Unit, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Munster, Germany

1997

Visiting Surgeon (Japan)

Unit of Prof. Tomita, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan

1997

Visiting Surgeon (Japan)

Unit of Prof. Kaneda, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hokkaido University, School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan

1995

Visiting Surgeon (USA)

Unit of Dr. Harry Shufflebarger, Chief Spine Surgeon, Division of Spinal Surgery, Department of Orthopaedics, Miami, Florida, USA

1995

Visiting Surgeon (Italy)

Unit of Dr. G. Tabasso, Clinica Orthopedica, University of Torino, Torino, Italy

1995

Harms Spine Fellowship (Germany)

Unit of Prof. Harms, Spine Centre, Klinikum, Karlsbad-Langensteinbach, Karlsbad, Germany

1993

Visiting Surgeon (South Korea)

Unit of Prof. Kim, Spine Center, Yongdong Severance Hospital, Seoul, South Korea

1992

A.O. Spine Fellowship (Switzerland)

Unit of Prof. W. Dick, Orthopaeische Universitatsklinik, Felix-Platter-Spital Basel, Switzerland

1991

Visiting Surgeon (France)

Unit of Dr. N. Passuti, Clinique Chirurgicale Orthopedique, Centre Hospitalier Regional Et Universitaire de Nantes Hospital, Saint-Jacques Nantes, France

1989

Resident in Spinal Surgery

Unit of Dr. D. Chopin, Department of Spinal Surgery, Institute Calot, Berck-sur-mer, France

1989

Cotrel Spine Fellowship

Unit of Dr. D. Chopin, Department of Spinal Surgery, Institut Calot, Berck-sur-mer, France (First Indian to receive this prestigious spine fellowship)

Conferences & Faculty Lectures

2004

EFORT (European Federation of Orthopaedics and Traumatology) Amsterdam

Faculty (Surgical Management of High Grade Spondylolisthesis)

2004

BOA International Congress, Manchester

Faculty (Surgical Management of High Grade Spondylolisthesis)

2004

Workshop on the Sextant, Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery at the MERI, Memphis

Participant

2004

Spine Trauma Study Group, Denver, Colorado

Participant

2004

ISICON (International Spinal Injuries Conference), Delhi

Faculty

2004

Annual conference of Tamilnadu Orthopedic Association, Nagercoil, Tamilnadu

Faculty

2004

Annual conference of ASSI (ASSICON), Pune, India

Faculty

2003

48th Annual Conference of Indian Orthopaedic Association – Chennai

Faculty (Implants in the surgical management of spinal tuberculosis)

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2003

WIROC, Mumbai

Faculty (Surgical Management of Dorso-lumbar Junctional lesions)

2003

Instructional lecture course of ASSI & European Spine Society, Coimbatore, India

Faculty (Surgical management of the severely deformed spine)

2003

GSACON 2003, 5th Annual conference, Gujarat Spine Association, Ahmedabad

Faculty

2003

Spine Trauma Study Group, Sonoma, California

Participant

2003

2nd Interdisciplinary Congress on Spine Care – World Spine II, Chicago

Faculty (Instrumentation in spinal tuberculosis)

2003

MAST Workshop, Bordeaux, France

Participant

2003

Spine Trauma Study Group, Miami

Participant

2002

Spine Trauma Study Group inaugural meeting, Los Angeles

Participant

2002

Global Spine – Hawaii

Faculty

2002

The 2nd Annual International course on Current Spine – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Course Co-director & Faculty (Instrumentation in Spinal Tuberculosis)

2001

Armed Forces Hospital, Oman

Visiting Surgeon

2001

The 1st Annual International course on "Current Spine" – Langkawi, Malaysia

Course Co-Director & Faculty

2001

ASSICON – 2001, Delhi, India

Faculty

2000

International symposium on Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Bern, Switzerland

Participant

2000

7th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society for the study of Surgical Techniques for Spine and Spinal Nerves, Japan

Faculty

2000

7th GCC Orthopaedic conference, Kuwait

Faculty

2000

IOACON – 2000 Hyderabad, India

Faculty

2000

ASSICON – 2000 Bombay, India

Faculty

1999

The 3rd Annual international course on "Global Spine" – Maui, Hawaii

Participant (Surgical principles and latest techniques)

1999

Khoula Hospital, Muscat & Military Hospital

Invited speaker and performed surgeries

1999

9th International conference on Lumbar Fusion & Stabilization – Cheshire, UK

Participant

1999

AFORT – 1999, Chennai, India

Faculty

1999

ASSICON – 1999 Hyderabad, India

Faculty

1999

The Royal London Hospital White Chapel, St. Bartholomews, London

Invited Speaker

1999

"Down Under” with “Big Time Spine” – Coolum, Australia

Faculty

1998

Workshop on Spinal Stabilization at NIMS Hyderabad

Performed a front-back live demonstration surgery for failed back surgery

1998

ASSICON – 98 Patna, India

Faculty

1997

Muller Course on Surgery of Paediatric Spine

Faculty (Surgical Management of the deformed Spine – An Indian Experience)

1997

ASSICON – 97 Chennai, India

Organising Secretary (Conducted and organized with a global faculty of spine/neuro surgeons)

1997

Techniques & Concept of Spinal Surgery – Phuket Island, Thailand

Participant

1993

International workshop on Stabilization of the Spine, Madras

Faculty

1993

Tamil Nadu Orthopaedic Association

Faculty

1993

Baroda Orthopaedic Association

Faculty

1992

1st International Symposium on Hip & Spine, Indo-German Orthopaedic Foundation

Faculty (Surgical management of spinal deformities)

1992

AO / ASIF Course Seminar in Madras

Faculty

1991

C.D. Advanced Course in Institut Calot, Berck-sur-mer, France

Participant

1991

International congress on Cotrel Dubousset Instrumentation – Minneapolis

Participant

1989

C.D. Basic Course in Institut Calot, Berck-sur-mer, France

Participant

1989

International Congress on Cotrel-dubousset Instrumentation – Monte Carlo

Participant

Professional Memberships

Past President, Association of Spine Surgeons of India (ASSI) Member

Indian Orthopaedic Association (IOA)

Group International COTREL DUBOUSSET (GICD)

Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) Member, AOSpine

Spine trauma study group- USA

Patient-Centered Approach

Dr. Sajan K. Hegde believes that effective spine care begins with understanding the individual, not just the MRI report. Every patient is carefully evaluated with attention to symptoms, lifestyle, daily activity needs, and expectations from treatment. He explains the condition and available options in clear, simple language so patients and families can make informed decisions.

Whenever possible, conservative treatment is advised, and surgery is recommended only when truly necessary. The focus is on relieving pain, restoring mobility, and helping patients safely return to normal life with long-term functional recovery and confidence.

International Recognition & Training

Apart from clinical practice, Dr. Hegde is actively involved in teaching and training spine surgeons. He regularly conducts workshops, lectures, and surgical training programs and is invited as faculty in national and international conferences. He is an international trainer in advanced spine techniques and contributes to spreading safe and modern spine surgery practices.

Selected Publications & Contributions

Original Article • Journal of Spine Surgery

Navigated Pedicle Screw Accuracy in Severe Rigid Adolescent Scoliosis

A comprehensive review of 500 pedicle screw placements utilizing 3D O-Arm intraoperative navigation, demonstrating an overall accuracy rate of 99.2% with zero neurological complications.

Book Chapter • Spine Surgery Textbook

Management of Tuberculosis of the Spine in South Asia

A definitive guide outlining the combined medical-surgical protocols for debriding and stabilizing Pott's spine lesions, focusing on anterior decompressions and cage reconstructions.

Our Mission

To provide comprehensive, ethical, and evidence-based spine care using modern techniques that reduce pain, preserve spinal function, and improve overall quality of life.

Our Vision

To be a trusted center for advanced spine care where patients receive accurate diagnosis, safe treatment, and compassionate support throughout their recovery journey.

Clinical Milestones

  • First Indian to receive the Cotrel Fellowship (France)
  • Performed one of the early robotic-guided spine surgeries in Asia in 2012
  • Among the surgeons in India with specialised experience in non-fusion scoliosis correction
  • Asia’s first infantile scoliosis correction using Shape Memory Alloy staples
  • Past President, Association of Spine Surgeons of India (ASSI) Member

Awards & Honors

  • Lifetime Achievement Award in Spine Care (2024) – Conferred by the Indian Orthopaedic Association for pioneering spinal navigation.
  • Best Clinical Presentation (2022) – Awarded at the Asian Spine Journal annual forum for research on Pedicle Subtraction Osteotomies (PSO).
  • Distinguished Alumni Accolade – Recognizing contributions to pediatric deformity corrections in rural South India.