Lumbar Spinal FusioN Spine Surgery

Candidates for a Lumbar Spinal Fusion

Patients who are experiencing back pain due to conditions such as Degenerative Disc Disease, Spondylolisthesis, Spinal Stenosis, Scoliosis, Fractured Vertebra or a Herniated Disc may be candidates for a Lumbar Spinal Fusion procedure. Surgeons will generally only recommend a Lumbar Spinal Fusion if they can pinpoint the exact portion of the spine causing pain. These findings can be made using imaging tests such as x-rays, CT scans and MRI scans.

The procedure will fuse together two or more vertebrae to prevent painful motion and promote stability.

What is a Lumbar Spinal Fusion?

Several types of Lumbar Spinal Fusion procedures exist, all with the goal of eliminating uncomfortable movement between vertebrae and preventing painful stretching of surrounding nerves, ligaments and muscles. When damage is done to the spine and a normal range of motion results in pain and discomfort, surgeons prevent that movement to eliminate the pain.

Lumbar Spinal Fusions can be performed from the front (anterior), from the back (posterior) or from the side (lateral) through an incision either in the front or back of the lower abdomen or lower back, or from the side. In a minimally invasive approach, the procedure is performed through a small incision. The site of the incision will be determined by your doctor and dependent upon your unique conditions.

All Lumbar Spinal Fusion procedures involve bone grafting, or the use of bone material, placed in between the vertebrae to be fused together. The bone grafts ensure proper spacing between vertebrae and promote healing by stimulating bone production. The bone for the graft is a synthetic created in a laboratory.

Additional plates, screws and rods may be placed during the Lumbar Spinal Fusion procedure to help stabilize the spine.

Results of a Lumbar Spinal Fusion

After surgery, your doctor may suggest you wear a brace to reduce movement and help with healing. Patients will likely experience some pain during the healing process, which is typical of all surgeries. Pain relief medications will likely be prescribed to help manage pain and reduce recovery time.

After the surgery, patients should experience relief from their symptoms including reduced or eliminated neck and back pain.

What are the risks of a Lumbar Spinal Fusion?

As with all surgeries, risks are present during a Lumbar Spinal Fusion. Potential complications include bleeding, infection, pain at the procedure site and the possibility of recurring symptoms. Blood clots and nerve damage can also occur during or after the procedure. Another risk more specific to a Lumbar Spinal Fusion procedure is Pseudarthrosis, which is when there is not enough bone formation to ensure the fusion is stable. If this occurs, an additional procedure may be necessary to ensure a solid fusion.