SPINE FUSION SERIES

Spinal fusion surgery can treat the following conditions. Before considering spinal surgery, your doctor may order imaging tests to help locate the origin of your back pain. In most cases, your physician will only recommend spinal fusion surgery when they can pinpoint the source of your back pain and determine if it relates to specific vertebrae. Spinal fusion surgery is a versatile treatment that can improve many back and spinal column conditions. Why Do Surgeons Perform Spinal Fusion Surgery? The vertebrae will need several months to heal and fully fuse. It is also vital to stay alert for potential signs of infection, including wound drainage, shaking, chills, high fever, redness and inflammation. If you experience any severe side effects, contact your surgeon immediately. Rest and quiet are valuable aspects to healing and recovering properly. When you go home from the hospital, you must follow all postoperative instructions provided to you. As you begin healing, pain and discomfort are likely, but medication can ease them. While the length of your hospital stay will vary depending on your surgery’s unique details, most patients stay two to three days. You will need to spend the first few days after spinal fusion surgery recovery in the hospital for observance. What to Expect After Spinal Fusion Surgery Incision closure: As your spinal surgeon approaches the end of your spinal fusion surgery, they’ll close the initial incisions to allow for healing.Metal plates and screws may help stabilize the vertebrae and hold them in place while the bone graft heals following surgery. Vertebrae fusion: To permanently fuse the vertebrae, a spinal surgeon will place the bone grafting material between each vertebra.The bone graft material may come from a donor or your pelvis. Bone graft: Surgeons use a bone graft to fuse two or more vertebrae.The incision placement will primarily depend on the location of the vertebrae this surgery is fusing. Initial incision: The beginning of spinal fusion surgery involves an incision to gain access to the vertebrae.While each procedure is unique, there are generally four primary steps to spinal fusion surgery. Typically, a spinal surgeon will consider factors such as the reason for the surgery, the location of the affected vertebrae and your general health in selecting the best approach. A surgeon may use numerous techniques, and they’ll explain their chosen method before your surgery. When surgeons perform spinal fusion surgery, general anesthesia is necessary to ensure patient comfort and safety. What Happens During Spinal Fusion Surgery? Fusing two or more vertebrae can improve stability and correct a painful spinal deformity or complication.

During spinal fusion surgery, surgeons use innovative techniques to mimic the body’s natural healing cycle and process of correcting broken bones. Spinal fusion surgery can permanently connect or fuse two or more vertebrae, reducing the motion between them. Spinal fusion can help treat these conditions and improve the associated pain and discomfort.

Numerous spinal conditions can cause the intervertebral disks to diminish and cause pain. Between each vertebra, the intervertebral disks form joints and protect the vertebrae from coming into contact with one another.

SPINE FUSION SERIES

Duplication for commercial use must be authorized in writing by ADAM Health Solutions.The spinal column consists of the vertebrae, a series of 24 small bones. Links to other sites are provided for information only - they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy editorial process and privacy policy.

is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. is accredited by URAC, for Health Content Provider (URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M.

Spine fusion