Overview
With Dr. Pramod K Sudarshan, spine care in Bangalore begins with a comprehensive understanding of the underlying spine problems. As a top spine surgeon in Bangalore, he treats the full range of spinal conditions, from disc problems and nerve compression to deformities, fractures, and complex surgical cases, with an approach that starts conservatively and moves to surgery only when it's genuinely needed.
Patients come to him with conditions that have often been mismanaged elsewhere or where previous treatment hasn't worked. Slipped disc, spinal stenosis, scoliosis, vertebral fractures, spinal infections, and tumours are all within his regular caseload. When surgery is required, he uses minimally invasive and endoscopic techniques that reduce tissue disruption and help patients get moving sooner.
The goal in most cases isn't surgery. It's finding what's actually driving the symptoms and addressing that, whether through medication, physiotherapy, injections, or a procedure. Surgery is the right answer for some patients, but not for others. This distinction matters, and it shapes how every consultation continues.
Experience
Senior Consultant Spine Surgeon – Jan 2020 till date (4 years+) - Aster MIMS hospital, Calicut, Kerala (Full time) and Aster MIMS hospital, Kannur, Kerala
Associate Consultant Spine Surgeon – Nov 2016 to Dec 2019 (3 years 2 months) - PEOPLE TREE musculoskeletal research institute, PEOPLE TREE hospitals, Bangalore
Honorary Visiting Consultant, Dept of Orthopedics, Spinal deformity surgery – Jan 2017 to Jan 2020, Sri Sathya Sai institute of higher medical sciences, Whitefield, Bangalore
Memberships
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Life memberships
- Association of Spine Surgeons of India (ASSI) since 2014
- Asia Pacific Spine Society (APSS) since 2015
- Indian Orthopaedic Association (IOA) since 2016
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Annual memberships
- SICOT – Associate Member (2015–2021), Active Member since 2022
- International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery (ISASS), USA – 2016, 2017
Awards & Achievements
- ISSLS Young Investigator Travel Grant Awardee – To attend SpineWeek 2023 in Melbourne, Australia, May 2023
- Best Poster – SICOT/AAOS Scholarship – SICOT Orthopaedic World Congress, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Sept 2022
- NuVasive SICOT Scholarship (Poster Category) – To attend SICOT Orthopaedic World Congress, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, September 2022
- VT Ingalhalikar (VTI) Gold Medal for Best Paper – Annual Conference of the Association of Spine Surgeons of India (ASSICON 2022), Patna, India
- Best Paper in English Session – 94th Annual Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) Meeting, Tokyo, Japan
- NuVasive SICOT Scholarship – To attend SICOT Orthopaedic World Congress, Muscat, Oman, December 2019
- Outstanding English Paper Award – Japanese Scoliosis Society 52nd Annual Meeting, Tokyo, Japan
- "ISASS Leon Wiltse Award" for the Best Overall Paper of ISASS 2017, Boca Raton, Florida, USA
- "Dr K T Dholakia Gold Medal" for Best Overall Paper of the Conference – 60th Annual Indian Orthopaedic Association Conference (IOACON), Kochi, India
- "The Charles Ray Award" for Best Clinical Paper – ISASS 2016, Las Vegas, NV, USA
Research & Publications
- Chapters in ASSI Monogram Series – Thieme Publishers, India; Textbook of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery – Jaypee Medical Publishers, India; Corrective Osteotomies for Rigid Spinal Deformities – Thieme Publishers
- Publications in international journals of spine surgery (3 publications – 2018, 2021, 2022), Indian Journal of Anaesthesia, Indian Spine Journal, and 8 abstracts published in the Global Spine Journal
- Editorial Board Member, Indian Spine Journal (ISJ), Official Journal of the Association of Spine Surgeons of India; ISJ Task Force Committee Member since 2024
Peer Reviewed Publications – Spine Surgery
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2026: Hafsa; Mohanlal, Smilu; Mubeena, PM; Balaji, Aarthi; Pramod, S; Kumar, Suresh; Pachat, Divya.
“Clinicodemographic and Genetic Profile of Children with Spinal Muscular Atrophy in Kerala, India: A Single-Center Experience.”
Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology, April 8, 2026.
DOI: 10.4103/aian.aian_671_25.
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2024: Ajmal, Muhammed; Pavithran, Priyanka; Sudarshan, Pramod.
“Monitoring Transcranial Motor-Evoked Potentials in Charcot–Marie–Tooth Disease: A Case Report.”
Indian Spine Journal. 2024;7(2):213–216.
DOI: 10.4103/isj.isj_64_23.
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2022: Sudarshan P, Ahammad S, Nambiar R, Shameer M, Parambil V, Kumar P.
“Air Crash Investigation: Pattern of Spinal Injuries, Management During the COVID-19 Pandemic, and Outcomes.”
International Journal of Spine Surgery. 2022;16(5):899–907.
DOI: 10.14444/8342. PMID: 36302611.
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2022: Pavithran, Priyanka; Sudhakaran, Renuka; Sudarshan, Pramod K.; Eliyas, Salin; Sekhar, Biju; Kaniachallil, Kishore.
“Comparison of Thoracolumbar Interfascial Plane Block with Local Anaesthetic Infiltration in Lumbar Spine Surgeries – A Prospective Double-Blinded Randomised Controlled Trial.”
Indian Journal of Anaesthesia. 2022;66(6):436–441.
DOI: 10.4103/ija.ija_1054_21.
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2022: Pavithran P, Sekhar B, Sudarshan PK.
“Patient Blood Management in a Paediatric Patient – A Success Story.”
Indian Journal of Anaesthesia. 2022;66(9):673–674.
DOI: 10.4103/ija.ija_514_22. PMID: 36388439; PMCID: PMC9662093.
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2021: Badikillaya V, Akbari KK, Sudarshan P, Suthar H, Venkatesan M, Hegde SK.
“Comparative Analysis of Unilateral versus Bilateral Instrumentation in TLIF for Lumbar Degenerative Disorder: Single Center Large Series.”
International Journal of Spine Surgery.
DOI: 10.14444/8121.
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2021: Pavithran P, Sudarshan PK.
“Emerging Options for Analgesia in Posterior Cervical Spine Surgery.”
Indian Journal of Anaesthesia. 2021;65(9):707–708.
DOI: 10.4103/ija.ija_391_21.
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2021: Kailash K, Ganesan S, Yuvaraj NR, Krishnan A, Dhillon CS, Pramod KS, Gadde S.
“Surgical Management of High-Grade Spondylolisthesis: Current Recommendations.”
Indian Spine Journal. 2021;4:65–76.
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2020: Sudarshan P, Nambiar R, Swamy G.
“Impact of COVID-19 on Orthopedic Surgeons in India During the Early Phase of Lockdown in South India: A Survey-Based Report.”
Journal of Orthopaedic Association of South Indian States. 2020;17:7–10.
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2018: “Long-Term Experience with Reduction Technique in High-Grade Spondylolisthesis in the Young.”
Pramod K Sudarshan, Hardik R Suthar, Vamsi K Varma, Appaji Krishnan, Sajan K Hegde.
International Journal of Spine Surgery.
DOI: 10.14444/5047.
Abstract Books, Newsletters and Clinical Trials
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2024: Three abstracts published in the Asian Spine Journal.
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2021: Two abstracts published in the Global Spine Journal supplement special issue,
Volume 11, Issue 2, pages 214S–561S, October 2021.
DOI: 10.1177/21925682211047969.
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2019: Co-investigator in a clinical trial on the use of denosumab in bone metastases secondary
to carcinoma of the lung, breast or prostate as part of an Intas biosimilar study.
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2017: Orthopedics This Week, April 2017 –
View publication.
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2016: Spinal News International, May 2016 –
View publication.
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2016: Six abstracts published in the Global Spine Journal supplement special issue
of papers and posters presented at the Global Spine Congress and World Forum of Spine Research 2016.
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2015: Two abstracts published in the SRS-IMAST 22nd Meeting abstract book.
National and Regional Publications – Orthopaedics
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2014: Pramod KS.
“Study on Functional Outcome of Percutaneous Screw Fixation in Unstable Pelvic Ring Disruptions in Adults.”
Dissertation submitted to The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, Tamil Nadu.
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2013: Pramod KS, Chandraprakasam T.
“Case Report of Contralateral C7 Transfer in Brachial Plexus Root Avulsion Injury.”
The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University E-Journal, July 2013;3(4).
PRESENTATIONS
International (Presenting author)
- 2024: Results of discectomy by Unilateral Biportal Endoscopy (UBE) technique – Does it have the potential to be a gold standard technique? Podium presentation at Asia Pacific Spine Society (APSS) meeting, Hong Kong.
- 2024: Intrathecal nusinersen injection for spinal muscular atrophy post spinal deformity correction surgery – A technical note. Podium presentation at Asia Pacific Spine Society (APSS) meeting, Hong Kong.
- 2023: Is thoracolumbar interfascial plane block better than local anaesthetic infiltration in lumbar fusion for postoperative pain management? A randomized controlled trial. Podium presentation at Spine Week Melbourne under ASSI, Australia, May 2023.
- 2023: How paraspinal atrophy affects pain and function in degenerative spinal conditions? An analytical study on degenerative disc disease without instability and in spondylolisthesis. Podium presentation at Spine Week Melbourne under APSS, Australia, May 2023.
- 2022: Spinal injuries in an air crash – Study on pattern of injuries, challenges in management during the COVID-19 pandemic situation and outcomes. Podium presentation at SICOT Orthopedic World Congress, Kuala Lumpur, September 2022.
- 2021: Can we predict adverse outcomes in lumbar fusion for primary degenerative disorders? A Modified Frailty Index-based study. Presented at the 94th Annual Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) Meeting, Tokyo, Japan, May 2021.
- 2019: Can we predict adverse outcomes in lumbar fusion for primary degenerative disorders? A Modified Frailty Index-based study. Presented at SICOT Orthopedic World Congress, Muscat, December 2019.
- 2018: Can we rely on preoperative traction radiograph and intraoperative traction to save levels and achieve better curve correction in AIS? Presented at the 52nd Annual Meeting of the Japanese Scoliosis Society (JSS), Tokyo, Japan, November 2018.
- 2017: Use of intraoperative traction in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis – Impact on concave apical screw density, curve correction and functional outcomes. Presented at the International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery (ISASS) Meeting 2017, Boca Raton, Florida, USA.
- 2017: Tilt on traction: A new parameter to decide the lowest instrumented vertebra (LIV) in scoliosis correction. Presented at ISASS 2017, Boca Raton, Florida, USA.
- 2017: Outcome of selective fusion in Lenke 1C and 5C curves of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Presented at ISASS 2017, Boca Raton, Florida, USA.
- 2016: Pedicle morphometric analysis in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis – Importance of surgeon familiarity with patient-specific variables. Presented at the International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery (ISASS) Meeting, Las Vegas, USA, April 2016.
- 2016: Long-term experience with reduction technique in high-grade spondylolisthesis in the young. Presented at ISASS 2016.
- 2016: Measuring Cobb’s angle in scoliosis – Can smartphones match manual methods and software-based analysis? A three-way crossover study. Presented at ISASS 2016.
- 2016: Long-term experience with reduction technique in high-grade spondylolisthesis in the young. Presented at the Global Spine Congress and World Forum of Spine Research, Dubai, April 2016.
- 2015: High-grade spondylolisthesis in the young – Long-term follow-up results of a progressive reduction technique. Paper No. 129, 22nd International Meeting on Advanced Spine Techniques (IMAST), Scoliosis Research Society, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- 2015: Non-tuberculous spondylodiscitis – Analysis of diagnosis, management and outcome. Presented at the 10th Asia Pacific Spine Society Meeting, Combined HKIOF and APSS/APPOA Meeting, Hong Kong.
National/Regional (Presenting author)
- 2026: Clinical outcomes of Unilateral Biportal Endoscopy (UBE) single-level lumbar discectomy – A prospective cohort study. Gold medal paper presentation at the Karnataka Orthopedic Association Annual Conference (KOACON 2026), Bijapur, India, January 2026.
- 2024: Emerging gold standard MIS technique – Unilateral Biportal Endoscopy (UBE). Best video presentation technique selected for podium presentation at ASSICON 2024, Annual Conference of the Association of Spine Surgeons of India, Mumbai, India.
- 2023: Results of discectomy by Unilateral Biportal Endoscopy (UBE) technique – Does it have the potential to be a gold standard technique? Podium presentation at the Minimally Invasive Spine Surgeons Association of Bharat Conference (MISSABCON), Bangalore, India, November 2023.
- 2022: Scoliosis in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Podium presentation in the VTI Gold Medal Session at ASSICON 2022, Annual Conference of the Association of Spine Surgeons of India, Patna, India.
- 2021: Spinal injuries in an air crash – Study on pattern of injuries, challenges in management during the COVID-19 pandemic situation and outcomes. Podium presentation in the Dr. H.K.T. Raza Gold Medal Session for Best Spine Paper at IOACON 2021, Goa, India.
- 2018: Revisiting spondylodiscitis – Emergence of pyogenic etiology with varied clinical presentations. Podium presentation in the Dr. S.P. Mandal Gold Medal Session for Rational Orthopedics at IOACON 2018, Annual Conference of the Indian Orthopedic Association, Coimbatore, India.
- 2018: Can we get away with unilateral pedicle screw fixation in TLIF – A comparative analysis. Presented at ASSICON 2018, Annual Conference of the Association of Spine Surgeons of India, Chennai, India.
- 2017: Radiation exposure in single-level lumbar fusion: Our experience in robotic guidance compared to literature review of fluoroscopy-guided and minimally invasive fusions. Presented at ASSICON 2017, Annual Conference of the Association of Spine Surgeons of India, Hyderabad, India.
- 2016: Minimally invasive robotic-guided TLIFs – Accuracy and safety as compared to freehand open TLIFs. Dr. K.T. Dholakia Gold Medal Session award paper for Best Overall Paper at IOACON 2016, Kochi, India.
- 2012: Congenital scoliosis – Excision of hemivertebra through posterior-only approach as a single-stage procedure. Postgraduate Medal Paper Session at OASISCON 2012, Bengaluru, India (Orthopedic Association of South Indian States Conference).
Special Intrests
His special interests include advanced spine reconstruction, endoscopic spine surgery, robotic-assisted spine surgery, and non-operative planning for complex spinal conditions.
He emphasizes clear diagnosis, careful counseling, and treatment plans tailored to each patient’s lifestyle, goals, and long-term recovery.