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About Vivek Panikkar
Personal Profile
Mr. Vivek Panikkar has been practising as a Consultant Spinal Surgeon for over 18 years. Prior to this, he underwent extensive training under leading orthopaedic and neurosurgical specialists, enabling him to develop a high level of expertise in spinal care. His initial orthopaedic training was completed in the Mersey and East Midlands regions, followed by specialist spinal training at the Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham and Derby Royal Infirmary.
This combination of multidisciplinary and sub-specialist training has allowed Mr. Panikkar to refine his clinical practice to an advanced level. His primary objective is to achieve the best possible outcomes for patients with spinal conditions. While he is a surgeon, he emphasises that surgery is not always necessary—indeed, the majority of cases he manages are treated successfully without surgical intervention. Working closely with a team of specialist physiotherapists, chiropractors, pain consultants, and other healthcare professionals, he ensures that each patient receives a tailored and comprehensive treatment plan.
Mr. Panikkar is proficient in managing a wide range of spinal conditions, from those affecting the cervical and thoracic spine to issues in the lumbar and sacrococcygeal regions. His areas of special interest include minimally invasive procedures and microsurgery. He offers advanced techniques such as microdiscectomy, spinal fusion, XLIF (Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion), vertebroplasty, and kyphoplasty. These keyhole procedures are associated with faster recovery times, reduced postoperative pain, and quicker returns to daily activities. Thanks to ongoing technological advancements, these surgeries are now safer and more effective than ever, and Mr. Panikkar provides them as part of his routine practice across the hospitals where he works.
His NHS practice is based at Doncaster Royal Infirmary, where he serves as the most senior spinal surgeon. Over the past decade, he has played a leading role in introducing cutting-edge treatments and technologies to the Trust. He also holds an honorary consultant position at the Leeds Spinal Neurosurgical Unit, allowing him to stay at the forefront of surgical innovation for complex spinal disorders.
Academically, Mr. Panikkar is an Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer at the University of Sheffield, contributing to the education and training of future medical professionals.
Outside of his clinical and academic commitments, Mr. Panikkar enjoys travelling and exploring new cultures. His career has taken him around the world, both to enhance his own skills and to share knowledge with fellow surgeons—all with the singular aim of improving outcomes for his patients.
This combination of multidisciplinary and sub-specialist training has allowed Mr. Panikkar to refine his clinical practice to an advanced level. His primary objective is to achieve the best possible outcomes for patients with spinal conditions. While he is a surgeon, he emphasises that surgery is not always necessary—indeed, the majority of cases he manages are treated successfully without surgical intervention. Working closely with a team of specialist physiotherapists, chiropractors, pain consultants, and other healthcare professionals, he ensures that each patient receives a tailored and comprehensive treatment plan.
Mr. Panikkar is proficient in managing a wide range of spinal conditions, from those affecting the cervical and thoracic spine to issues in the lumbar and sacrococcygeal regions. His areas of special interest include minimally invasive procedures and microsurgery. He offers advanced techniques such as microdiscectomy, spinal fusion, XLIF (Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion), vertebroplasty, and kyphoplasty. These keyhole procedures are associated with faster recovery times, reduced postoperative pain, and quicker returns to daily activities. Thanks to ongoing technological advancements, these surgeries are now safer and more effective than ever, and Mr. Panikkar provides them as part of his routine practice across the hospitals where he works.
His NHS practice is based at Doncaster Royal Infirmary, where he serves as the most senior spinal surgeon. Over the past decade, he has played a leading role in introducing cutting-edge treatments and technologies to the Trust. He also holds an honorary consultant position at the Leeds Spinal Neurosurgical Unit, allowing him to stay at the forefront of surgical innovation for complex spinal disorders.
Academically, Mr. Panikkar is an Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer at the University of Sheffield, contributing to the education and training of future medical professionals.
Outside of his clinical and academic commitments, Mr. Panikkar enjoys travelling and exploring new cultures. His career has taken him around the world, both to enhance his own skills and to share knowledge with fellow surgeons—all with the singular aim of improving outcomes for his patients.
Professional Memberships
- North American Spine Society
- British Association of Spine Surgery
- British Medical Association
- Bapio
- AO spine
