Spinal fusion is the surgical technique of combining two or more vertebrae. Fusion of the vertebrae involves insertion of secondary bone tissue obtained either through autograft (tissues from the same patient) or allograft (tissues from another person) to augment the bone healing process.
The lumbar (lower back) region of the spine is more prone to spine fusion when compared to the other regions, such as the cervical (neck) and thoracic (mid back) parts of the spine. Usually, spinal fusion is recommended in patients with neurological problems or severe pain that has not responded to conservative treatment.
Various spinal conditions may be treated through lumbar spinal fusion, such as:
Spinal fusion can be performed through different angles depending upon the specific advantages of each and the choice of your surgeon. It may involve interbody fusion, where a bone graft is placed in the space between the two vertebral bodies. Other techniques may also be employed for spinal fusion that involve the entire removal of the disc between the affected vertebrae. A specially designed device made either from plastic or titanium may be placed between the vertebrae. This helps in maintaining spine alignment and the normal height of the disc.
The fusion process is followed by fixation that involves fitting of metallic screws, rods, plates or cages to stabilize the vertebrae and accelerate bone fusion. After surgery, 6-12 months is the ideal time for complete fusion to take place.
The complications associated with spinal fusion include infection, nerve damage, blood clots or blood loss, bowel and bladder problems and problems associated with anesthesia. The primary risk of spinal fusion surgery is failure of fusion of vertebral bones, which may require an additional surgery.
Talk to your surgeon if you have concerns regarding the spinal fusion procedure.
