Back fusion surgery is a type of operation that is sometimes recommended to individuals who struggle from chronic back pain stemming from an injury or the presence of a degenerative spine condition. Usually considered the treatment of last resort when all other techniques have failed to deliver the results the patient requires, this approach can have a lasting impact on the individual. However, as is the case with most major surgeries, there are limitations and potential risks that must be fully considered before consenting to spinal fusion surgery.

While spinal fusion is occasionally recommended when an individual suffers a traumatic back injury and the overall stability of the spinal column is at risk, more often than not, it is intended as a treatment against the presence of degenerative disc disease or another similar condition. Over the years, the anatomical elements of the spine naturally begin to deteriorate as a result of years of wear and tear. This process is entirely normal and usually accounts for little more than the regular aches and pains that most of have accepted as being part of the natural aging process. However, for some individuals, this deterioration can result in the compression of the spinal cord or a nearby nerve root, which can cause any number of debilitating symptoms, ranging from chronic lower back pain to a feeling of pins and needles in the extremities. In this case, back fusion surgery may eventually be considered.

The ultimate goal of back fusion surgery is to stabilize the spinal column and remove the source of the patient’s pain. This is usually conducted in a hospital setting, because the patient must be placed under anesthesia prior to the operation. Once the patient is sedated, a large incision is made in the back, and musculature is splayed in order for the surgeon to have maneuverability within the spinal column. Next, the intervertebral disc that separates the affected adjacent vertebrae in the lumbar spine is carefully removed and replaced with a graft – usually with bone cultivated from the patient. Finally, the vertebrae are stabilized with the installation of surgical hardware.

While this treatment can be an effective way of removing the source of the patient’s pain, it is not, without its disadvantages. For starters, traditional spinal fusion surgery is highly invasive, and can take several weeks or even months of rehabilitation to return to full strength. Additionally, spinal fusion surgery comes with a risk for potential post-operative complications, such as infection, graft rejection, hemorrhaging, and other similar problems that should be weighed prior to consenting to an operation.

Additionally, it should be noted that in recent years, alternatives to traditional back fusion surgery have become more popular. These minimally invasive treatments are designed to alleviate nerve compression and even stabilize the spinal column but on an outpatient basis. Requiring only a one inch (or smaller) incision, state-of-the-art surgical equipment can now be introduced into the spine with limited collateral damage to the musculature and other soft tissue in the region. This greatly reduces the required rehabilitation time and other potential risks.

To learn more about back fusion surgery and all of your treatment options, speak with a specialist today.

Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective alternatives to back fusion surgery and other procedures.

Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in minimally invasive alternatives to back fusion surgery. http://www.laserspineinstitute.com/back_problems/fbss/spinal_fusion_failure/

Author Bio: Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective alternatives to back fusion surgery and other procedures.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: back fusion surgery