|  | Surgeries Operations | Surgeries

What Can Be Done for a Failed Lumbar Fusion?

A lumbar fusion may replace the deformed or problematic discs with pieces of donated bone. It is then grafted together with a titanium plate and screws. Spine surgery is normally meant to decompress a nerve root or provide stability to degenerative discs. Failed lumbar fusion generally means that the spine surgery did not work or the fusion itself was not successful.

  1. Did the lumbar fusion work?

    • Images from an X-ray normally indicate whether or not a spine has started to fuse. This is often visible as early as three months after surgery, but it may take as long as a year. Factors such as age, number of fusions, length of time with the condition and other factors may affect the time of fusion. Normally, a surgeon will not consider a second surgery until there is proof that the spine has not fused, unless there is a problem with the implanted hardware, if neurological deficits are present or if there are issues with the spinal structure.

    Spinal Cord Stimulator

    • A surgeon may first consider whether there is a way to improve the results of the fusion during early post-operative visits. This might include the use of a spinal cord stimulator or a pump for pain medication. A spinal cord stimulator is sometimes used after surgery or as a pain-relief technique. There are two types of systems: a portable spinal cord stimulator and an implantable device. Each system produces a tingling sensation because of the electric stimulation, which alters the perception of pain.

    Physical Rehabilitation and Pain Management

    • If a spinal fusion fails, it may not be possible to have a second surgery as there may not be a way to repair the damage enough to relieve pain. Normally, a surgeon will advise that a patient undergo physical rehabilitation and pain management techniques, such as medication or steroid injections.

    Neurontin

    • Neurontin is a medication for neuropathic pain. It stops the signal of pain in the brain. Although not much is known about how it works, some spine specialists and neurosurgeons are using Neurontin as a pain medication before or after surgery.

    Revision Surgery

    • Revision surgery may be an option after a failed lumbar fusion. The surgery helps to correct a deformity and focuses on revising the problem, especially if it involves issues with hardware, such as a rod, plate or other item used to fuse the vertebrae. If it is an option, revision surgery is undertaken after thorough assessments of the progress, such as imaging, a full health history and physical exam.

Surgeries - Related Articles