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 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), a pinched spinal nerve in the neck or low back, spinal stenosis, or spinal disc disease causing severe back pain or neck pain, among others.
There are many techniques for fusing the spine. 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, among other factors.
If a spinal fusion is needed, I will review with you possible techniques along with their benefits and drawbacks. Importantly, I try to avoid committing a patient to a fusion whenever possible!
If you live near Denver and have a spinal disorder that might be treated with a spinal fusion or similar procedure, please consider meeting me in consultation to learn more about your options.
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.