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Types of Lumbar Spine Surgery

The lumbar spine refers to the portion of the spine that's located in the lower back. Spinal surgery is typically performed only as a last resort after medication and supportive treatment have failed to maintain an acceptable quality of life.

  1. Fusion Surgery

    • Fusion surgery uses a bone graft which causes adjacent vertebrae to grow into a single bone. This surgery is most effective when only two vertebrae are fused together.

    L5-S1 Fusion

    • A fusion between the fifth lumbar and first sacral (L5-S1) is the most common type of fusion surgery. It doesn't change the back's mechanics significantly because the movement between these two vertebrae is very limited to begin with.

    L4-L5 Fusion

    • The L4-L5 segment is also a common site for fusion surgery. This segment normally allows a significant amount of motion and the operation will noticeably reduce the spine's flexibility.

    Artificial Disc Replacement

    • A degenerated disc may be removed and replaced with an artificial disc. This can maintain more of the spine's normal motion and reduce the stress on adjacent spinal segments.

    Risks

    • The greatest risk for fusion surgery is misidentifying the source of the patient's pain and therefore performing unnecessary surgery. Artificial disc replacement is a relatively new procedure, so the long-term risks aren't well-understood.

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