By: Arthur Cooper
Submitted: 2011-03-01 13:27:01 | Word Count: 664
Spinal Fusion surgery is a major surgical procedure performed on the back to stop the motion at a painful site in the vertebrae by fusing or joining two or more of the vertebrae. The goal of this surgery is to permanently connect the vertebrae; which should, in turn, decrease the pain generated from the joint. Spinal fusion may be done in combination with decompression to treat painful symptoms caused by instability of the vertebrae or it may be done alone. Some patients have undergone spinal fusion as a follow-up to debridement and decompression procedures done to treat spinal injuries, spinal stenosis, herniated discs, deformities, infection and tumors.
There are a couple different methods of spinal fusion. With one method the vertebrae is secured by metal implants holding them together until new bone grows between them. There is also the method where bone is taken from the pelvic bone or a bone bank and is then used to make a bridge between adjacent vertebrae. This graft also stimulates growth of new bone. Generally spinal fusion surgery is most effective for conditions involving one vertebral segment. Most patients do not notice limitation in motion after a one level spine fusion.
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There are several types of spinal fusion surgerys including:
• Anterior spinal fusion: this procedure is done from the front and back
• Anterior lumbar interbody fusion: this procedure is done from the front and includes removing disc between vertebrae and inserting bone into the space now available between the two vertebrae.
• Posterolateral gutter fusion: done through the back
• Posterior lumbar interbody fusion: done from the back. This procedure includes removing the disc between two vertebrae and inserting bone into the space created between to the two vertebrae.
As with any other surgery, there are risks associated with spinal fusion. These risks often correspond with type of procedure, age, overall health and diagnosis. Some of these risks include pain at the graft site, which is often due to a soreness or swelling. The swelling or aching should pass in time. Nerve injury is a risk to be considered, as well. There may also be infection, graft rejection, failure of the fusion process and deep blood clots that may lead to pulmonary embolism.
If the surgery is a success the patient should expect to stay in the hospital for a few days after the spinal fusion procedure. There are cases when your doctor may recommend you wear a back brace during recovery. Bed rest is not all that necessary for recovery and there may be rehabilitation which can include swimming, bike riding and walking.
Be sure to exhaust all other alternatives before resorting to spinal fusion surgery. Although spinal fusion surgery is common, it is also very expensive and is controversial with no guarantee of treatment success. There have been studies that have shown no clear difference between intensive rehabilitation treatment for chronic back pain and spinal fusion surgery. Ask your doctor if spinal fusion surgery is absolutely necessary for you. If you would like any more information regarding spinal fusion surgery please feel free to check out www.losethebackpain.com.
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