Spinal fusion surgery as the name connotes relates to the fusion of the bones of the spine thereby limiting their movement. Spinal fusion procedure is done in individuals who are affected with chronic pain and discomfort of the back which is not comforted by conventional treatment like change in medications, physical therapy and exercise.
What is spine ?
The spine of our body acts as a support system for the back and is essential for doing routine activities like sitting, standing, lying down, bending, twisting and turning. A normal spine performs these and other functions without causing any pain and soreness. The spine is made of 33 vertebral bones which are stacked over one another with and intervertebral disc between them and are divided according to their location as the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral and coccygeal vertebrae.
The main function of cervical vertebrae is to bear the weight of the skull and brain and support the neck region. The thoracic vertebrae form the major bulk of the upper back and protect the heart and the lungs whereas the lumbar vertebrae support the lower back region. The sacral vertebrae connect the spine to the hip bone and the coccygeal vertebrae is a vestigial remnant of the tail bone.
The vertebrae are complex structures and act as a support system to hold the spine and the spinal cord which runs through them. Two vertebrae are separated by an intervertebral disc which is made up of a cushion like material to provide springiness and flexibility during movement of the spine. Muscles and ligaments support the vertebral joints and aid the movement of the spine and provide stability to it.
Occasionally the vertebrae are affected by congenital deformities of the spine, degenerative joint disease and exposed to fractures resulting in chronic back pain.
When is spinal fusion surgery indicated?
If you are experiencing chronic back pain and discomfort, difficulty in doing everyday work it is suggested to consult a spine specialist who would conduct a thorough examination of the spine clinically and guided by X-ray, CT and MRI scans and recommend an suitable treatment. The conditions affecting the spine which are commonly indicated for a Spinal Fusion are enlisted as under.
- Fracture of the vertebra (single or multiple fracture)
- Degenerative joint disease of the spine
- Idiopathic Chronic back pain (where the cause of pain is unknown)
- Spondylolisthesis (a condition where one vertebra slips on top of another)
- Unstable or weak spine
- Spine deformity such as Kyphosis (hunchback), scoliosis (lateral curvature of the spine) and Lordosis (abnormal inward curvature of the spine)
How is a spinal fusion surgery performed ?
The spinal fusion surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia and the length of the procedure depends on the type and number of vertebrae affected. The basic principle of a Spinal Fusion can be compared to healing of a fracture. During Spinal Fusion surgery two bones are fused or joined together by placement of a bone graft material and artificial implants. The bone graft can be an auto graft (taken from the pelvic bone or the iliac crest) or obtained from a bone bank (an allograft) .Synthetic graft materials are also used nowadays for Spinal Fusion procedure. The bone graft material fills in the gap between the two vertebrae thereby restricting the normal movement. Hence, the Spinal fusion procedure is carried out for smaller bones. The surgical approach could be anterior or posterior dependent on where the fusion is indicated. The anterior approach is used for fusion of cervical (neck) vertebrae whereas for thoracic and lumbar vertebral fusion a posterior approach is used. The spinal fusion does not occur immediately post the procedure but takes time for the healing process to take place and requires appropriate rehabilitation by physical therapy.
What is the post-surgery care for spinal fusion surgery ?
The operating surgeon explains in details the risks, benefits and outcome of a Spinal fusion surgery. Once you have undergone a Spinal fusion appropriate care must be taken to prevent post-surgical complications. The length of the stay in the hospital is dependent on the type and extent of the procedure but can last from 4-5 days to a week. Movement of the spine to bend, walk, sit and lie down is either restricted or guided with the help of walking aids and a physical therapist till the healing is evident on radiographs. The operating surgeon with the help of a physical therapist suggests exercises to initiate movement of the spine and regain its strength. The rehabilitation after spinal fusion requires suitable guidance and follow up for better outcome of the surgical procedure.
What is the outcome of a spinal fusion surgery ?
Spinal Fusion surgery as mentioned in the beginning is mainly carried out when conventional methods of treatment of chronic back pain and other conditions related to spine are ineffective. The success of a spinal fusion procedure to relieve chronic back pain is a debatable issue and is still being researched. Literature also suggests that since the procedure involves fusion of the vertebrae of the spine it could in turn put more weight on the other vertebrae leading to their overuse. The choice of getting a spinal fusion done is a combined decision of the individual after a thorough consultation with a specialist to understand the risks and benefits of the procedure.
How to find spine surgeons for spinal fusion surgery ?
Now you can find spine surgeons for spinal fusion surgery from different hospitals and destinations on a single platform, Hinfoways. You can avail opinions from spine surgeons, cost estimates for spinal fusion surgery from different hospitals, compare things and then choose a spine surgeon for spinal fusion surgery.
Find and choose a spine surgeon for spinal fusion surgery on Hinfoways. Make an informed choice.
Disclaimer: The content provided here is meant for general informational purposes only and hence SHOULD NOT be relied upon as a substitute for sound professional medical advice, care or evaluation by a qualified doctor/physician or other relevantly qualified healthcare provider.
