Spinal Fusion

A spinal fusion is a procedure in which metal implants and bone graft are introduced into the spine to limit mobility between two or more vertebrae and to encourage bone to grow between them. Spinal fusions are relatively common, and the need to perform a fusion might arise as a result of a spine fracture or injury, abnormal movement between vertebrae (instability), spondylolisthesis, abnormal curvature of the spine (scoliosis), radiculopathy, spinal stenosis, or spinal disc disease causing severe back pain or neck pain, among others.

3D view of spinal fusion hardware; this was a thoracolumbar fusion performed for a burst fracture

There are countless techniques for fusing the spine. In the lumbar spine, for example, options include ALIF, OLIF, TLIF, and PSF, among others. The choice of technique and the implants used will depend on the nature of your symptoms, the anatomy of your spine and its neighboring organs and blood vessels, and the level(s) of your spine affected.

If a spinal fusion is needed, I will review with you possible techniques along with their benefits and drawbacks.

 
Cervical fusion performed for neck pain and cervical myelopathy.

Cervical fusion performed for neck pain and cervical myelopathy.

 
 
Images from a patient with a failed TLIF (top left) by another surgeon on whom I performed an ALIF procedure.

Images from a patient with a failed TLIF (top left) by another surgeon on whom I performed an ALIF procedure.