Spinal fusion
Spinal fusion surgery
Spinal fusion is a surgical procedure used to correct problems with the bones (vertebrae) of the back (spine). The spine is stabilized by fusing together two or more vertebrae, using bone grafts and metal rods and screws.
Spinal fusion is used to treat:
- Injuries to spinal vertebrae
- Protrusion and degeneration of the cushioning disk between vertebrae (sometimes called slipped disk or herniated disk)
- Abnormal curvatures of the spine (such as scoliosis or kyphosis)
- Weak or unstable spine caused by infections or tumors
Cross-section of a normal spine (inset left) and cross-section of a protruding disk (inset right).Spinal fusion eliminates motion between vertebral segments, which can be a significant source of pain in some patients. The surgery also stops the progress of spinal deformity, such as scoliosis.
Spinal fusion will take away some spinal flexibility. But most spinal fusions involve only small segments of the spine and thus do not limit motion very much.
Source: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons - The experts of spinal fusion ...
Spinal fusion overview
Spinal fusion is surgery to fuse spine bones (vertebrae) that cause you to have back problems.
Fusing means two bones are permanently placed together so there is no longer movement between them. Spinal fusion is usually done along with other surgical procedures of the spine.
Spinal fusion may be recommended for:
- Treatment for spinal stenosis
- After diskectomy in the neck
- Injury or fractures to the bones in the spine
- Weak or unstable spine caused by infections or tumors
- Spondylolisthesis, a condition in which one vertebrae slips forward on top of another
- Abnormal curvatures, such as those from scoliosis or kyphosis
Source: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia - an overview of Spine surgery (spinal fusion) ...
SPINAL FUSION TECHNIQUE REDUCES PAIN, SPEEDS RECOVERY FOR SOME PATIENTS WITH DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE
Surgeons use genetically engineered protein, titanium cages to stabilize vertebrae in lower back
A new type of spinal fusion surgery using genetically engineered protein to create new bone eliminates the need for painful bone graft harvesting and significantly improves patients' recovery time, according to spine surgeons at the University of Maryland Medical Center.
About 65 million people in the United States suffer from lower back pain, many as a result of degenerative disc disease in which the discs, or cushions, between the vertebrae start to deteriorate. More than 150,000 people undergo lumbar spinal fusions each year to help alleviate the pain. Surgeons traditionally use bone graft taken from a patient's hip and devices, such as metal cages, to build a bridge between the vertebrae, immobilizing a segment of the spine. The surgery is usually performed after physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, bracing and other more conservative treatments have failed.
Previous page: Shoulder arthroscopy
Next page: Spinal Stenosis