Spinal Fusion Definition

Spinal fusion is a surgical procedure where two or more vertebrae are fused together. This procedure is done by grafting bone and incorporating pieces of metal, such as rods and screws. Spinal fusion is done to help correct problems in the back.

Fun Fact

• The main goal of spinal fusion is to stop movement in between the vertebrae. It is this motion that causes pain for people with back problems.

Reasons

• Spinal fusion is used on people who have sustained serious back injury, have spines weakened by disease, disc degeneration and progressive spine deformity.

Technique

• Small pieces of bone are placed in between the vertebrae during the procedure. The bone is either taken from other parts of the body or from a donor. Then the two vertebrae are immobilized using the screws and rods.

Side Effects

• People who have had spinal fusion will notice less flexibility in their backs following surgery.

Recovery

• Recovery from the procedure can take several weeks. The patient will need to rest in bed for a few days. After the pain from the surgery subsides, the patient will slowly begin to re-adopt their normal daily activities.