Spine Fusion

Spinal fusion eliminates motion between vertebrae. It also prevents the stretching of nerves and surrounding ligaments and muscles. It is an option when motion is the source of pain, such as movement that occurs in a part of the spine that is arthritic or unstable due to injury, disease, or the normal aging process. The theory is if the painful vertebrae do not move, they should not hurt. Fusion will take away some spinal flexibility, but most spinal fusions involve only small segments of the spine and do not limit motion very much.

Treatments

Spine Fusion
Lumbar and cervical spinal fusion have been performed for decades. There are several different techniques that may be used to fuse the spine. There are also different "approaches" your surgeon can take to reach your spine. Your surgeon may approach your spine from the front. This is called an anterior approach and requires an incision in the lower abdomen for a lumbar fusion or in the front of the neck for a cervical fusion. In a lateral approach, your surgeon approaches your spine from the side. Minimally invasive techniques have also been developed. These allow fusions to be performed with smaller incisions. The right procedure for you will depend on the nature and location of your disease. View

Spine Fusion

Lumbar and cervical spinal fusion have been performed for decades. There are several different techniques that may be used to fuse the spine. There are also different "approaches" your surgeon can take to reach your spine.

Your surgeon may approach your spine from the front. This is called an anterior approach and requires an incision in the lower abdomen for a lumbar fusion or in the front of the neck for a cervical fusion. In a lateral approach, your surgeon approaches your spine from the side.

Minimally invasive techniques have also been developed. These allow fusions to be performed with smaller incisions.

The right procedure for you will depend on the nature and location of your disease.

View