Spinal Fusion Surgery: Understanding Types, Complications, and Recovery

Spinal surgery carries high risks due to its proximity to the spinal cord and nerves, with potential complications including paralysis.

One of the most common types of spinal surgery is spinal fusion, which is performed to treat various conditions.

In this article, we’ll explore how spinal fusion stabilizes the spine, the different types of the procedure, potential complications, and what to expect during recovery.

What is Spinal Fusion Surgery?

spinal fusion is a type of spinal surgery in which two or more spinal vertebrae are connected together into one solid part.

Your spine consists of small bones- each called a vertebrae- and cartilage between them to prevent the vertebra from scratching during the spinal column movement.

The vertebrae are surrounded by muscles and ligaments that facilitate their flexibility during movement such as stretching and bending

Some conditions are associated with vertebral bone deformity or degeneration that makes the vertebra slip over each other when you move, which leads to severe pain

The Purpose and Benefits of Spinal Fusion Surgery

The purpose of spinal fusion is to stabilize damaged, slipped or degenerated vertebrae and eliminate the movement of these fused vertebrae.

This stabilization fix part of the spinal column, decreases nerve compression and pain associated with motor and maintain the affected vertebrae from further damage

Which Parts of the Spine Can Be Treated with Fusion Surgery?

Cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral are the four parts of your spine. The fusion can be performed between adjacent vertebrae at any site.

It can be between vertebrae in one section as cervical fusion or between two sections as in lumbosacral fusion.

The site of procedure depends on the affected vertebral bone.

Who is Qualified to Perform Spinal Fusion Surgery

Spinal fusion surgery can be performed by either an orthopedic surgeon or a neurosurgeon, depending on the nature of the condition. However, in more complex cases, it may involve a collaboration between both specialists.

Different Types of Spinal Fusion Surgery

Lumbar Spinal Fusion Surgery: This is commonly performed for lumbar spine issues like degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, and severe back pain.

Posterior Spinal Fusion Surgery: In this approach, the surgeon works through the back to access the spine. It is often used for complex spinal conditions.

Full Spinal Fusion Surgery: A comprehensive surgery that involves fusing multiple segments of the spine, which may be necessary for patients with severe deformities or injuries.

Spinal Cord Fusion Surgery: This involves fusing parts of the spine near the spinal cord to stabilize damaged areas and relieve pain.

Lumbosacral Fusion Surgery: A surgical procedure that fuses the lumbar spine (lower back) to the sacrum (the triangular bone at the base of the spine). This type of fusion is typically performed to treat conditions such as degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, or severe lower back pain, aiming to stabilize the lumbosacral joint and alleviate pain caused by movement or instability.

ALIF (Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion): This type involves fusion from the front through the abdomen.

PLIF (Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion): Fusion is performed from the back through the spine.

TLIF (Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion): Vertebral fusion is performed through the neural foramen in the back.

Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion (LLIF):

The surgeon accesses the spine from the side of the body to avoid major muscle disruption. Commonly used for degenerative spine conditions with less recovery time.

Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF):

A surgery performed on the cervical spine (neck) through the front of the neck. It involves removing a damaged disc and fusing the vertebrae to treat conditions like herniated discs or nerve compression.

Conditions Treated by Spinal Fusion Surgery

Generally, any spinal condition associated with painful spinal movement is a spinal fusion surgery candidate.

However, the most common conditions have such issues are:

• Scoliosis is the condition of a congenital or adulthood spine curvature laterally.

• Spondylolisthesis: A condition where two vertebrae are slipped and move forward.

• Spondylosis: A degenerative condition that progresses with age, in this condition, two or more vertebrae are damaged and severe pain occurs when a patient moves.

• Herniated disc: This condition occurs when the gelatinous substance inside the cartilaginous disc bulges and compresses nerves. The usual treatment procedure is spinal decompression. However, in severe and progressed cases, it can cause vertebral friction and damage, in which case vertebral fixation may become necessary.

Other conditions include:

• Spine fractures and injuries.

• Tumors that affect the bones, soft tissues or nervous tissue (spinal cord or nerves) in and around your spine.

• It is important to note that spinal fusion can be combined with other surgeries like spinal decompression procedures.

Spinal Fusion Surgery Procedures: Open vs. Minimally Invasive Techniques

Spinal fusion can be performed either by an open surgery or a minimally invasive surgery.

The choice depends on the patient’s condition, complexity of their case, the availability of MISS techniques in the hospital and the cost.

Your surgeon will guide you to choose the best option, so searching for an expert surgeon is crucial.

The main differences between the traditional surgery and the modern ones are:

The incision size

In the open spinal fusion surgery the surgeon makes a large incision that allows a broad and direct visualization area, thus maximizing the successful rate of the operation.

This is of special importance in complex cases as it permits precision.

However, the drawback of this large incision is the higher risk of post surgery infection and risk of scar formation with a negative aesthetic impact.

In the minimally invasive spinal fusion surgery: small incisions are made to permit insertion of a fine tube through which the surgeon works.

With a smaller incision the risk for the injury infection and scar formation decrease significantly.

However, this hinders the visualization field and makes these advanced techniques less beneficial for complex cases.

Type of surgery they can effectively treat:

The open surgery is the best for the complex cases with higher rate for success while the minimally invasive surgeries may not be suitable for such cases they improve the safety, efficiency and the overall outcomes in several other conditions when a broad visibility is not essential

The surgeon skills requirements:

In the open operation an experienced surgeon with an internationally certification and spinal surgery speciality is the best for such surgery. However, the minimally invasive surgeries require special skills regarding these modern techniques in addition to the surgeon's speciality and experiences.

How Spinal Fusion Surgery Works and the Materials Used for Fusion

A bone graft is used along with metal hardware, such as cages, screws, and rods, to stabilize the vertebrae. These bone grafts integrate with the vertebrae to provide support and ensure proper stabilization.

Spinal Fusion Surgery Recovery Timeline and Essential Tips

Before undergoing spine fusion you should ask your surgeon about the details regarding the after spinal fusion surgery period. This period involves healing, recovery, side effects that can be associated with any surgery, rehabilitation and life improvements and outcomes appearance.

The first few Days after procedure

• Pain, stiffness, soreness, and movement difficulties are common during this period, your surgeon will prescribe you medication to relieve pain.

• Rest and restricted movement are crucial, however, short, assisted walks are often encouraged to improve circulation and prevent blood clots.

• Following the surgeon instructions regarding resting and getting out of bed is important for proper healing and minimizing post surgical complications.

• Proper wound care is essential to prevent infection and promote healing. These wound numbers and sizes differ between open and minimally invasive surgeries, however caring steps are similar.

• Inform about the appropriate position for you during the day and during sleep. This is of special importance that your doctor will tell you about.

During the first 4 to 6 weeks

• Symptoms gradually improve, and gentle movement becomes important to minimize muscle stiffness.

• Strenuous activities must be avoided.

• Avoid sitting for a long period.

• Your surgeon may recommend rehabilitation and physiotherapy programs during this stage to improve mobility and strengthen muscles in the spine region.

• Depending on your progress, you may gradually return to light work and household activities.

During the first 6 months

• You may experience occasional pain and soreness while the bone graft completes its healing process.

• Avoid strenuous work, vigorous exercise, and any activities that risk injury until healing is complete to prevent complications.

• You can gradually return to normal activities along with appropriate exercises and lifestyle modifications as recommended by your healthcare team.

• Practice proper body movements, like bending at the knees instead of the waist, when lifting light objects.

• Regular follow-up appointments are essential to monitor the healing process.

• Additionally, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and avoiding smoking, can support bone fusion and recovery.

Risks, Side Effects, and Complications of Spinal Fusion Surgery

Spinal fusion surgery is considered a high-risk procedure, often associated with a significant likelihood of post-surgery side effects and complications. Beyond the general risks common to all surgeries, such as anesthetic-related complications, spinal fusion carries specific and potentially serious side effects. These may result in dangerous complications or even spinal fusion failure.

What Are the Risks of Spinal Fusion Surgery

1. spinal infusion surgery is a high risk operation because it is performed in a nerve condensed region of your body.

2. Choosing a highly skilled surgeon is a key for minimizing risks and enhancing successful rates.

3. Open surgery involves injuring the skin and removing the underlying muscles and tissues.

4. This carries a high risk for muscle disruption.

5. The minimally invasive surgeries have lower such risk

6. Risk for nerve injury during the procedure may lead to serious complications and even paralysis. The new technologies involved in the minimally invasive surgeries like robotics assisted procedures, percutaneous procedures and microscopic and endoscopic surgeries can effectively decrease these risk rates, however they are not suitable for all cases.

Common Side Effects After Spinal Fusion Surgery

• Pain

• Soreness

• Reduced movement ability

• Nerve pain.

• Muscle weakness.

Possible Complications of Spinal Fusion Surgery

• Infections.

• Bleeding.

• Paralysis.

When Should You Contact Your Doctor After Spinal Fusion Surgery

• Infection symptoms include fever, fatigue, swelling, redness, and pain in the procedure site

• Nerve and spinal cord symptoms include:

• Tingling or numbness in your legs or feet that happens suddenly or in a way that’s noticeably different from before.

• Severe intolerable or progressive pain.

• Loss of muscle strength or any degree of paralysis in your legs or feet.

What Is the Cost of Spinal Fusion Surgery?

The average cost of spinal fusion surgery is $10,000 to $22,000

The cost depends on several factors such as

• The clinic location

• The surgeon's certification and experiences.

• Type of the surgery and complexity of the case.

• Incorporation of advanced technologies.

• Hospital services and additional expenses.

Key Takeaways

The spinal fusion is an effective surgical procedure performed to minimize pain and stabilize the spinal column in patients with degenerative, deformed and damaged vertebrae.

To be qualified for a spine fusion operation, an expert surgeon will decide whether such intervention is appropriate for your condition or not and which one of the procedure techniques is most suitable for you.

Following the recovery and aftercare instructions is crucial to achieving the desired outcomes and minimizing the risk of complications.

Considering spinal fusion surgery? Contact International Clinics to find out if you’re a candidate and receive personalized treatment options. Our expert surgeons will guide you through the process, and we offer affordable pricing with flexible payment plans.

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