What's Involved with a Spinal Fusion?

Spine issues are common, often painful, and sometimes difficult to treat. That’s where specialists and advanced treatments, like spinal fusion, come in.

Spinal fusion surgically connects two or more bones in your spine to prevent movement between them. In doing so, the procedure guards against chronic and severe pain. It can also resolve numbness or tingling in your extremities and make way for a better quality of life.

Dr. Nicholas Perenich and his team at Spine Institute of Florida in Dade City and Spring Hill provide a range of effective spine treatments, including spinal fusion.

Take a few moments to learn more about this procedure, including what it involves and signs you might benefit.

Why you may need a spinal fusion

Spinal fusion isn’t a first line of treatment for painful back conditions. If more conservative treatments haven’t alleviated your pain or you have significant instability or deformity in your spine, however, you may be a strong candidate.

Conditions spinal fusion treats include:

Degenerative disc disease
Herniated discs
Scoliosis, and other congenital spine issues
Spinal fractures
Spinal tumors
Spondylolisthesis
Kyphosis

Spinal fusion can also stabilize your spine after you’ve had a damaged disc removed, also known as a discectomy.

What happens during spinal fusion

Thanks to general — or, in some cases, regional — anesthesia, you won’t have to worry about discomfort or pain during spinal fusion.

Once the procedure begins, your surgeon makes an incision in your back, neck, throat, or stomach to access your spine. From there, they’ll prepare the bone graft (bone or bonelike materials) and place them between the affected bones.

Rods, metal plates, or screws then secure the fusion. Once that’s complete, your surgeon will close the incision and you’ll start coming off of sedation.

Spinal fusion typically takes 1-5 hours, depending on factors like the complexity of your procedure.

What to expect after spinal fusion

If your spinal fusion was performed as an inpatient procedure, you may need to stay in the hospital for 2-3 days. For outpatient surgery, you’d return home the same day. Whenever possible, our team uses minimally invasive surgery techniques.

Regardless of the type of spinal fusion you had, you’ll need to avoid certain activities and kinds of movements for a designated amount of time. Our team may recommend that you start physical therapy a few weeks into your recovery for enhanced strength, flexibility, and mobility.

Most people are very pleased with their spinal fusion results. After a successful recovery, which involves following your aftercare instructions, you can return to a more active and comfortable lifestyle.

To learn more about spinal fusion or find out if you’re a good candidate, call Spine Institute of Florida in Dade City and Spring Hill or schedule an appointment through our website today. Our team can also recommend other treatments, if needed.