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  • Treating Chronic Back PainMinimally Invasive Spine Surgery

    Minimally invasive spine surgery is the latest advanced technology available to perform spinal surgeries through small, less than one inch long, incisions. It involves the use of special surgical instruments, devices and advanced imaging techniques to visualize and perform the surgery through such small incisions. Read More

  • Relieve Nerve & Spinal Cord CompressionAnterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion

    Anterior cervical discectomy with fusion is an operative procedure to relieve compression or pressure on nerve roots and/or the spinal cord due to a herniated disc or bone spur in the neck. Read More

  • Focus on life againLumbar Decompression

    Lumbar decompression is a surgical procedure performed to relieve pressure over the compressed nerves in the lower spine (lumbar region). It is usually indicated in patients with herniated lumbar disc, spinal stenosis, spinal injury or spinal tumours, who have not found adequate pain relief with conservative treatment. Read More

Home // Spinal Treatments // Spinal Fusion

Spinal Fusion

Spinal fusion is the surgical technique of combining two or more vertebrae. Fusion of the vertebrae involves insertion of secondary bone tissue obtained either through auto graft (tissues from the same patient) or allograft (tissues from the other person) to augment the bone healing process.

Lumbar (lower back) region of the spine are more prone to spine fusion when compared to the other regions such as cervical (neck) and thoracic (mid back) parts of the spine. Usually spinal fusion is recommended in patients with neurological problems or severe pain that have not responded to conservative treatment.

Indications for lumbar spinal fusion

Various spinal conditions may be treated though lumbar spinal fusion such as:

  • Spinal stenosis
  • Damaged disc
  • Spinal tumour
  • Fractures of the spine
  • Scoliosis and Kyphosis (abnormal curvatures of the spine)

Procedure

Spinal fusion can be performed through different angles depending upon the specific advantages of each and the choice of your surgeon. It may involve interbody fusion where bone graft is placed in the space present between the two vertebras. Other techniques may also be employed for spinal fusion that involves the entire removal of the disc between the affected vertebrae. A specially designed device made either from plastic or titanium may be placed between the vertebrae. This helps in maintaining spine alignment and normal height of the disc.

The fusion process is followed by fixation that involves fitting of metallic screws, rods, plates or cages to stabilise the vertebrae and accelerate bone fusion. After surgery, 6-12 months is the ideal time for complete fusion to take place.

Complications

The complications associated with spinal fusion include infection, nerve damage, blood clots or blood loss, bowel and bladder problems and problems associated with anaesthesia. The primary risk of spinal fusion surgery is failure of fusion of vertebral bones which may require an additional surgery.

Talk to your surgeon if you have concerns regarding spinal fusion procedure.

Memberships

  • General Medical Council
  • Royal College of Surgeons
  • British Medical Association
  • British Orthopaedic Association
  • British Association of Spinal Surgeons
  • Aospine
  • American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
  • Euro Spine
  • North American Spine Society
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