Spinal Fusion Surgery

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What Is Spinal Fusion Surgery?

A fusion is a surgical technique that involves eliminating the motion in between vertebrae by “welding” the bones together. By fusing the bones together, they heal into a single, solid unit. A fusion procedure may be recommended to eliminate painful motion, restore your alignment or posture, or provide stability to your spine. In certain cases, your surgeon may perform a laminectomy in addition to the fusion procedure if you have leg symptoms such as pain and numbness.

What Is a Spinal Fusion?

A fusion simply means getting one bone to grow into the other. Most commonly, this involves removing part of the disc, or the shock absorber, and replacing it with an implant that promotes bone growth. The devices that spine surgeons place in the body simply speed up the bony healing. Once the bone has completely grown into the other, then a complete fusion has occurred.

Expectations Before and After Spinal Fusion Surgery

Before Surgery

Preparing for spinal fusion surgery and recovering afterward involves careful planning and realistic expectations. Before surgery, ensure you have essential items like prescribed medications, wound care supplies, and high-protein foods to support recovery. Quitting smoking at least two weeks prior and avoiding certain medications and supplements can reduce the risk of complications. It’s also essential to inform your care team about any medical conditions that might affect recovery. Confirm your surgery schedule, follow pre-surgical cleansing instructions, and designate a support person to assist you during the initial recovery period.

After Surgery

After surgery, you will need someone to drive you home and help with daily tasks. Pain management is crucial, so take medications as directed and track their usage. Activity should be limited initially, with short, frequent walks to encourage healing, but avoid heavy lifting or strenuous movements. Maintaining hydration and a protein-rich diet can further aid recovery, even if your appetite is reduced. Recovery times vary, and it’s normal to feel pain or stiffness. Physical therapy may begin a few weeks after surgery, depending on your progress. Be patient with yourself and avoid rushing back to normal activities. With proper preparation and diligent care, you can achieve a smoother recovery and optimal healing outcomes.

Types of Spinal Fusion Surgeries

Review the various types of spine fusion surgeries outlined below to gain a comprehensive understanding of the surgical options available for enhancing spinal stability and alleviating discomfort.

A corpectomy is an effective procedure for removing spinal cord pressure by removing one or several vertebral bodies. For an anterior cervical corpectomy, the procedure is performed through a small incision on the front of the neck, usually in the neck’s natural crease.

Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion may be performed to treat neck and nerve symptoms. Spinal fusion is a technique used to stabilize the spinal bones or vertebrae. The goal of a cervical fusion is to create a solid bridge of bone between two or more vertebrae. Spinal fusion may be recommended when the natural disc space has decreased or the spine is unstable. For an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, the procedure is performed through a small incision on the front of the neck, usually in the neck’s natural crease.

Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion is an innovative technique to remove degenerative discs in your lumbar spine. Using a minimally invasive approach, the procedure is done from the front of the spine and creates a solid bridge between at least two vertebrae. The goal of this surgical technique is to alleviate pain, numbness or tingling caused by a degenerative lumbar disc.

Hybrid spine surgery is an innovative procedure that combines the stability of a traditional spinal fusion with the mobility granted with an artificial disc replacement. It is created to resolve the pain and tingling/ numbness associated with disc disease. The spinal surgeons at VSI were the first in the Nation to perform this surgery.

Using a minimally invasive approach, the surgeon will separate the tissue fibers to approach the side of the spine. This a great approach that realigns the spine and decompress the nerves without disrupting a lot of soft tissues in the back of the spine with a bigger incision.

The acronym DLIF stands for direct lateral interbody fusion and XLIF for eXtreme lateral interbody fusion; both refer to the same surgical technique.

A posterior instrumented fusion involves the placement of screws and rods. This can be done for interbody fusion or for deformity surgery such as scoliosis or kyphosis. With this procedure, innovative technology can be utilized which allows your surgeon to visualize the placement of hardware during this procedure. This provides increased precision for accuracy of screw placement and less soft tissue cutting.

Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF) is a lumbar fusion surgery from the back. Bone is removed to create a window to open the spinal canal. This creates access to remove disc material in order to prepare the space for implants to fuse the bones together. Screws and rods are used to stabilize this fusion process.

The sacroiliac joint, or SI Joint, is a strong, weight bearing joint in the lower back that connects the sacrum and the pelvis. There are two joints in total that move together as a single unit to act as shock absorbers for the spine. There is a small amount of movement in the joint, but normally the SI joint should fit together like a lock and key.

While sacroiliac joint dysfunction is often treated conservatively using physical therapy, medication, and SI joint injections, if the pain persists a sacroiliac joint fusion may be recommended with the goal of stabilizing the joints.

Spinal fusion is a technique used to stabilize the spinal bones or vertebrae. The goal of lumbar fusion is to create a solid bridge of bone between two or more vertebrae. Spinal fusion may be recommended when the natural disc space has decreased or the spine is unstable. Interbody fusion involves placement of fusion implants and bone graft into the area between two vertebral bodies and is an effective method for achieving fusion.

Kyphosis correction surgery can be accomplished using minimally invasive robot-guided spine surgery. This exciting technology allows our surgeons to create and plan an individualized blueprint of the patient’s surgery using their own anatomy before stepping in the operating room. This surgical correction does involve implantation of screws and rods that work together to correct the spinal deformity, stabilizing the spine. With time the spine will fuse as one solid piece in a new more normal alignment. For patients with conditions like kyphosis, these techniques can improve the patient’s quality of life by correcting his or her deformity and preventing further curve progression and worsening of symptoms.

Scoliosis and deformity corrective surgeries help to realign the spine in patients with abnormal curvatures, for both adult and adolescent scoliosis conditions.  Please call us for a consultation. Our scoliosis experts will help you understand the prognosis of your spine. We will help you develop a solution that could be managed non-operatively or review different surgical solutions for your best interest. 

Spine Fusion Surgery
Spine Fusion Surgery
Spine Fusion Surgery
Spine Fusion Surgery
Spine Fusion Surgery
Spine Fusion Surgery
Spine Fusion Surgery
Spine Fusion Surgery
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Living Life Again

Spine Fusion Surgery

At VSI, we celebrate every patient’s unique journey as a series of victories, regardless of how big or small. Our logo and brand were crafted for you, our incredible patients. Your progress towards your goals deserves the spotlight, reflecting our commitment to individualized treatment and care. Your Victories are what make VSI who we are! #MyVictoryStory

What are the Benefits of Spinal Fusion Surgery?

  • Eliminates painful motion
  • Restores your alignment or posture
  • Provides stability to your spine
  • Improves quality of life

How can I find out if I qualify for spinal fusion surgery?

Consult with our VSI team of specialized spine doctors to explore your eligibility for spinal fusion surgery. We look forward to discussing the next steps to help you achieve the pain relief you desire.

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Frequently Asked Questions on Spine Fusion Surgery

One of the main reasons for a patient to have a spinal fusion is because there is abnormal motion of the spine. Spondylolisthesis, or forward slippage of one vertebra over another, can result in back pain and nerve pressure which results in sciatica (radiating pain, tingling, and numbness down the leg). Fusions hold the spine in a proper position, and take the pressure off the nerve.

A second reason for a spinal fusion is abnormal spinal posture, such as scoliosis. When the spine has a curve, or is hunched forward too far, it can result in tremendous back and leg pain. Fusions straighten the spine and hold it in a better position, which takes the pain away.

A third common reason is to treat painful discs. Disc degeneration and resulting pain is very common. A spinal fusion removes the bad disc and eliminate the painful motion.

Recovery from spinal fusion surgery varies by individual but generally follows a structured timeline. Initial recovery, which focuses on pain management and light activity, typically takes 4 to 6 weeks. By 3 to 4 months, significant healing occurs, and patients often experience improved mobility, with many beginning physical therapy during this phase. Full recovery, including complete fusion and a return to normal activities, can take 6 to 12 months. Adherence to post-surgical care and rehabilitation is crucial for optimal outcomes.

A back brace after spinal fusion surgery stabilizes the spine, reduces movement, and supports proper healing. It minimizes strain, reduces pain, and prevents complications like hardware displacement. Your surgeon will advise if and how long you need to wear it for optimal recovery.

After spinal fusion surgery, avoid activities that strain the spine or hinder healing, including:

  • Heavy lifting: Do not lift objects heavier than 8-10 pounds.
  • Bending and twisting: Avoid movements that involve bending at the waist or twisting the spine.
  • Strenuous exercise: Steer clear of high-impact activities or intense physical exertion.

Always follow your surgeon’s specific guidelines to ensure a smooth recovery.