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Lumbar Spine Fusions
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CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
What is lumbar spinal fusion?
Lumbar spinal fusion is a surgery that reduces pain between vertebrae in the lower back.
What does lumbar spinal fusion involve?
Lumbar spinal fusion is a surgery that implements, implants and fuses a bone graft from the patient’s own tissue or donor tissue to a portion of the spine. Implementing a biological response promotes bone fusion between the vertebrae. A healthy and effective bone fusion prevents uncomfortable friction between the joints, and therefore, eliminates pain. By replacing the joint with a natural or artificial component, movement discontinues at that segment.
Patients typically undergo lumbar spinal fusions when there is too much movement between both points in the vertebrae resulting in uncomfortable friction and pain. Surgeons perform lumbar spinal fusions to treat the following degenerative conditions:
- Progressive disc disease occurs as a result of age when a single or few discs in the spinal column deteriorates or breaks and therefore causes pain. A weak and numb sensation running down the legs is a typical sign of disc disease.
- Spondylolisthesis results in lower back pain and occurs when one of the spinal discs shifts out of its usual position and topples over the vertebrae beneath it.
- Spinal fractures have severe repercussions. A break in the vertebrae causes fragments to pinch on nerves or the spinal cord itself.
- Scoliosis occurs when the spine curves overly at a sideways glance which is common during puberty. While in most cases, the reason for scoliosis remains unknown, muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy are conditions that contribute to the development of scoliosis. In addition, adolescents are normally prone to scoliosis.
How long does it take to recover?
After six weeks, patients can resume their regular light activities. But long-term, recovery may take slightly longer, from six months to a year, after which the patient will find their back returning to normal. Wearing a back brace is necessary, of course, along with a few physiotherapy sessions to strengthen and stabilise the spine.
- Posterolateral gutter fusion involves inserting a synthetic or natural bone graft from the back of the spine.
- Lumbar interbody fusion (posterior approach) is the addition of a bone graft to promote fusion between vertebral points and eliminate painful motion. This procedure is done from the back of the spine.
- Lumbar interbody fusion (anterior approach) is done through the abdominal region to access a specific part of the spine. This is an ideal approach when multiple points need to be fused.
- Spinal fusion (anterior or posterior approach) attaches vertebrae for spine stability and increased strength.
What is lumbar spinal fusion?
Lumbar spinal fusion is a surgery that reduces pain between vertebrae in the lower back.
What does lumbar spinal fusion involve?
Lumbar spinal fusion is a surgery that implements, implants and fuses a bone graft from the patient’s own tissue or donor tissue to a portion of the spine. Implementing a biological response promotes bone fusion between the vertebrae. A healthy and effective bone fusion prevents uncomfortable friction between the joints, and therefore, eliminates pain. By replacing the joint with a natural or artificial component, movement discontinues at that segment.
Patients typically undergo lumbar spinal fusions when there is too much movement between both points in the vertebrae resulting in uncomfortable friction and pain. Surgeons perform lumbar spinal fusions to treat the following degenerative conditions:
- Progressive disc disease occurs as a result of age when a single or few discs in the spinal column deteriorates or breaks and therefore causes pain. A weak and numb sensation running down the legs is a typical sign of disc disease.
- Spondylolisthesis results in lower back pain and occurs when one of the spinal discs shifts out of its usual position and topples over the vertebrae beneath it.
- Spinal fractures have severe repercussions. A break in the vertebrae causes fragments to pinch on nerves or the spinal cord itself.
- Scoliosis occurs when the spine curves overly at a sideways glance which is common during puberty. While in most cases, the reason for scoliosis remains unknown, muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy are conditions that contribute to the development of scoliosis. In addition, adolescents are normally prone to scoliosis.
How long does it take to recover?
After six weeks, patients can resume their regular light activities. But long-term, recovery may take slightly longer, from six months to a year, after which the patient will find their back returning to normal. Wearing a back brace is necessary, of course, along with a few physiotherapy sessions to strengthen and stabilise the spine.
- Posterolateral gutter fusion involves inserting a synthetic or natural bone graft from the back of the spine.
- Lumbar interbody fusion (posterior approach) is the addition of a bone graft to promote fusion between vertebral points and eliminate painful motion. This procedure is done from the back of the spine.
- Lumbar interbody fusion (anterior approach) is done through the abdominal region to access a specific part of the spine. This is an ideal approach when multiple points need to be fused.
- Spinal fusion (anterior or posterior approach) attaches vertebrae for spine stability and increased strength.