Spinal fusion
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Spinal fusion
Spinal fusion is a procedure commonly done to connect (fuse) adjacent vertebrae together. This is sometimes done in combination with spinal decompression, such as a laminectomy.
Spinal fusion can be performed in any area of the spine from the neck (cervical), mid-back (thoracic), and lower spine and pelvis (lumbar and sacral spine). It involves placing metal screws and rods into the spine, which hold the spine together and encourages the bones to fuse over time. Spinal fusion can be done from the front of the spine (as in ACDF), from the back of the spine, or from the side; sometimes, these techniques are used in combination.
Spinal fusion is commonly performed for a variety of problems, including fractures, herniated discs, spondylosis, instability, and several others. The bones can take many months, up to a year, to fully fuse. Expectations and specifics about your case should be discussed in detail with your surgeon.
X-rays after surgery showing a fusion from L4 to S1.