

Most of the degenerative conditions in the spine are caused by arthritis, and surgery will not cure your body of that disease. So your pain might not be associated with whatever problem has been revealed on your imaging scans.Įven when spinal fusion provides symptom relief, it does not prevent you from developing more back pain in the future. Many people have X-ray evidence of back issues that have never caused them any pain. It can be difficult to be certain about what exactly is causing your back pain, even if a herniated disk or bone spurs show up on your X-rays. In many cases, spinal fusion is no more effective than nonsurgical treatments for nonspecific back pain. But study results are more mixed when the cause of the back or neck pain is unclear. Spinal fusion is typically an effective treatment for fractures, deformities or instability in the spine.
SPINE ALIGN STEEL SHAFT HOW TO
Physical therapy can teach you how to move, sit, stand and walk in a manner that keeps your spine properly aligned. Your doctor may recommend that you wear a brace for a time to keep your spine aligned correctly. It may take several months for the affected bones in your spine to heal and fuse together. Depending on the location and extent of your surgery, you may experience some pain and discomfort but the pain can usually be controlled well with medications.Īfter you go home, contact your doctor if you exhibit signs of infection, such as: After spinal fusionĪ hospital stay of two to three days is usually required following spinal fusion. These synthetic substances help promote bone growth and speed the fusion of the vertebrae. In selected cases, some surgeons use a synthetic substance instead of bone grafts. Metal plates, screws or rods may be used to help hold the vertebrae together while the bone graft heals. To fuse the vertebrae together permanently, the surgeon places the bone graft material between the vertebrae. If your own bone is used, the surgeon makes an incision above your pelvic bone, removes a small portion of it and then closes the incision. The bone grafts that actually fuse two vertebrae together may come from a bone bank or from your own body, usually from your pelvis. To gain access to the vertebrae being fused, the surgeon makes an incision in one of three locations: in your neck or back directly over your spine, on either side of your spine, or in your abdomen or throat so that your surgeon can access the spine from the front. Generally, the procedure involves the following: The technique your surgeon uses depends on the location of the vertebrae to be fused, the reason for the spinal fusion, and in some instances, your general health and body shape. Surgeons have developed a variety of techniques for performing spinal fusion surgery.

Surgeons perform spinal fusion while you're under general anesthesia so you're unconscious during the procedure. Depending on whether your surgeon approaches your spine from the front (anterior spinal fusion) or from the back (posterior spinal fusion), the vertebrae will be fastened together either with a metal plate or with rods and screws.
