Spinal fusion can offer freedom from back pain
Procedure offers long-term relief for many spinal problems.
Spinal pain can sometimes be challenging to diagnose and treat, but for many patients relief may ultimately be found in a procedure known as spinal fusion.
Spinal fusion is a surgical procedure that fuses or “welds” two or more vertebrae so that they can heal into a single bone, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). The surgery’s goal is to restore individuals to a life free of pain, but the reason behind why a person may undergo surgery can vary widely.
“Sometimes spinal fusion is advised because someone has too much motion and instability,” said Norah Foster, MD, an orthopedic surgeon with Premier Orthopedics. “To take away that instability, you need to get the bones to stop moving by fusing them together.”
The instability can have several different causes, such as degenerative processes like arthritis or because of trauma to a bone or bones. At other times, spinal fusion is done to help people who have abnormal posture or anatomy due to such diseases as scoliosis.
Dr. Foster adds that spinal fusions are no longer recommended for people who are simply experiencing lower back pain, though there may be a variety of additional factors beyond these symptoms that may require the procedure to resolve them.
The final diagnosis depends on the unique needs of the patient since the procedure can be performed in the upper, middle or lower portions of the spine. As a result, successful outcomes can also vary from patient to patient, but they all have a common goal in mind.
“The outcome we’re looking for is that a patient’s symptoms are resolved,” said Dr. Foster, who practices with Premier Physician Network. “If their problem was arm or leg pain, then we want that pain gone. If they struggled to stand upright, then their posture is improved. If they had a fracture and their spine was unstable, then their spine was made stable and safe once again.”
Successful healing or fusion of the bones together is often dependent on steps a patient takes well before surgery. Preoperative counseling helps assess a patient’s health history and advise them of any needed changes prior to surgery. Smokers, for example, would be strongly advised to take measures to quit since smoking reduces muchneeded blood supply, which is required for proper healing. Diabetic patients may be asked to carefully monitor and regulate their blood sugar, higher sugar levels can often result in greater complications around the time of surgery. In addition, patients who are considered obese may need to reduce their body mass index (BMI) to a healthier level before surgery to ensure a safer surgery and therefore a more successful outcome.
“There are many things we can do as we work with patients before surgery to make sure it’s as successful as it can be,” said Dr. Foster. “This isn’t always possible in the setting of trauma, but the work we do beforehand can greatly reduce the risk of developing any additional complications.”
Spinal fusion candidates should also be aware that the procedure will limit their mobility since the spine is naturally designed to move and the procedure is designed to limit movement. Though spinal fusion does result in more limited mobility, it can produce greater levels of freedom for those who were far more limited because of previous pain.
For more information about spinal fusion, or to schedule an appointment with a Premier Physician Network physician near you, visit PremierHealth.com/MakeAnAppointment.