Lumbar Fusion for Serious Back Injuries

Lumbar Fusion

This procedure is performed on patients with instability between the vertebrae..
The bone used for the fusion may come from your pelvis, your back, or artificial bone supplement. The bone is prepared and placed between the vertebrae to be fused. This helps direct new bone growth and prevents motion between those vertebrae. Lumbar fusion patients wear a brace for three months after surgery to help allow the vertebrae and bone graft to grow together. You will follow up in the office for serial x-rays to determine the fusion status. Sometimes your treating physician may have to supplement your fusion with internal fixation (rods and screws).

Fixation

Some type of spinal fixation may be required in addition to the fusion. Fixation is used to stabilize the spine while the bone graft fuses the vertebrae together.
In this situation, your treating physican uses screws and rods to immediately provide a more rigid stabilization of the involved segment. This internal fixation is done in addition to a fusion as outlined previously.
Once a solid fusion is obtained, there is rarely any need to have the screws and rods removed.
Your doctor will determine if this procedure is necessary for you after a careful spinal evaluation and review of your x-rays. Fixation patients also need to wear a brace for approximately three months after surgery until their fusion is solid.
Your doctor will determine if this procedure is necessary for you after a careful spinal evaluation and review of your x-rays. Fixation patients also need to wear a brace for approximately three months after surgery until their fusion is solid.