About Spine Fusion
Spinal fusion (arthrodesis) joins or fuses two or more vertebrae with a bone graft. The bone is used to form a bridge between adjacent vertebrae. This bone graft stimulates the growth of new bone. In some cases, metal implants are secured to the vertebrae to hold them together until new bone grows between them. Instrumented fusion refers to specifically designed implants (including cages, rods, and screws) that are used to ensure correct positioning between vertebrae to help successful fusion take place. These implants add strength and stability to the spine.
The Procedure
The vertical incision will be made in the center of your back. The length of the incision depends on how many levels need to be treated. Your surgeon will put in rods, screws, hooks, and/or wires (normally just rods and screws) to stabilize the affected area while the bone graft is healing or fusing. The screws are generally made of titanium and the rods are made of either titanium or cobalt-chrome.
Are you a candidate for Spine Fusion surgery?
Here are factors to consider:
- Do you belong to a younger age group with disc problem?
- Do you have a fracture or dislocation of vertebra?
- Do you suffer from the pain caused by facet joint arthritis?
- Do you suffer from the pain caused by stenosis?
- Do you have spondylolysis
Do you suffer from any tumour in the spine?
If you answered YES to any of these questions, then Spine Fusion surgery is worth exploring.
Post Op Recovery
As with any major surgery, the patient should expect discomfort, as well as a period of rehabilitation. On average, the patient can expect to stay in the hospital for a day or two. The surgeon will help to put together a plan to steadily bring the patient back to normal activity while the healing process occurs. Patients are encouraged to begin moving soon after surgery. Most patients return to normal daily activities two weeks after surgery.