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Safety of Spinal Fusion

Various spine problems such as injury, degeneration, or genetic disorder might call for spinal fusion, a process by which bone grafts or metal rods and screws are used to eliminate movement between two or more vertebrae. This stabilization can significantly reduce pain.

  1. Surgery

    • The initial safety concern about a spinal fusion is whether or not the patient is healthy enough for any surgery. Risks include blood clots, infection, heart attack, or internal bleeding.

    Considerations

    • There is always the risk that screws used during the fusion can break or come loose, which might require additional surgery.

    Low Back

    • Fusion in the low back area comes with the danger of nerve damage, loss of strength and sensation to the legs, or loss of bowel or bladder control. Complications like this are rare.

    Other Complications

    • Some men experience ejaculation problems after spinal fusion when semen is forced into the bladder instead of outward. Potency of sperm and sensation of sex is not affected but conception can be difficult.

    Success Rate

    • A spinal fusion is successful about 90 percent of the time. Patients who smoke, are overweight, or have undergone radiation therapy are at a higher risk for fusion failure.

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