Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is spinal fusion?
A spinal fusion is an operation in which the injured vertebrae are permanently joined together. After the fusion occurs, the section of the fused spine acts like one large bone, no longer like a series of small independent bones.
2. Why do I need a spinal fusion?
The pain you have been experiencing may be due to abnormal movement along some of the bones that make up your spine. For reasons including damage to the discs between your vertebrae or the vertebrae themselves, your spine's normal motion causes you pain. Your doctor may determine that a fusion is needed to eliminate this motion.
3. How do the bones become fused?
During surgery, bony material is taken from other sections of your body and is grafted into the spaces between the affected vertebrae. Your body naturally produces new bone deposits to fill in the spaces around the grafted material. This process of bone being grafted into the spaces between vertebrae is called osteogenesis. When this new bone growth is complete, the vertebrae is fused into a single bone.
4. Under what conditions is a lumbar spinal fusion recommended?
There are a number of conditions in which a lumbar spinal fusion is recommended. These include degenerative disc disease (DDD), recurring disc herniation, lumbar spondylolisthesis, scoliosis, fracture, or a weak spine caused by infections or tumors.
5. Am I better off waiting for an artificial disc than to receive a lumbar fusion?
Several FDA studies are comparing fusion to total disc replacement. While it is likely the FDA will approve some discs, the long-term results are years away. Total disc replacement comes in different designs, such as metal and plastic each providing different ranges of motion. You should consult your doctor about the disc he or she can provide.
6. What is the success rate of lumbar spinal fusion surgery?
The procedure has a 88% to 95% success rate. Patients can return to an active lifestyle after fusion surgery.
7. If I have lumbar fusion surgery, will I be able to bend?
After lumbar fusion surgery, your range of motion will normally be greater. What causes people to have limited motion is pain. People avoid certain movements to not feel the pain. After lumbar spinal fusion surgery, your lower back pain will not hinder you from experiencing a wider range of motion.
8. What are the different kinds of lumbar spinal fusion?
A one-level fusion joins two vertebral bones on either side of an injured disc. A two-level fusion links together three vertebral bones with two intervening discs. A fusion is a bridge of solid bone that is created and held in place by surgery. A fusion maintains alignment, providing stability and strength.