Spine Fixation Surgery

What is Spinal Fusion?

Spinal fusion is surgery to join two or more vertebrae into one single structure. The goal is to stop movement between the two bones and prevent back pain. Once they’re fused, they no longer move like they used to. This keeps you from stretching nearby nerves, ligaments, and muscles that may have caused discomfort.

How to prepare for the Surgery?

The week before your surgery, you may have some blood tests and spinal X-rays if you haven't had any recently.

Your health care team will go over the details of your procedure. Don't be afraid to ask questions if you don’t understand something. Your surgeon wants you to be prepared.

Here are some things to think about in the days prior to your surgery:

1) Know when to arrive at the surgery center. You’ll need someone to drive you and take you home.

2) Get a list of the medicines you can or can’t take in the days before surgery. Some drugs, like aspirin or other anti-inflammatory drugs may be unsafe. Never stop taking any medicines without your doctor's OK.

3) Find out if you can eat or drink anything before your procedure.

4) Get your home ready. You’ll need raised toilet seats, shower chairs, slip-on shoes, reaches, and other aids.

How is the surgery performed?

Spinal fusion can be done one of two ways.

1) Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF)

2) Posterior Fusion (PLIF)

3) Transverse Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF)

After they make the incision, they move the muscles and structures to the side to see your spine. The joint or joints between the damaged or painful disks are removed.

They can use screws, rods, or pieces of bone (called a graft) from another part of your body to connect the disks and keep them from moving. A bone graft that comes from your body is usually taken from your hip or pelvis. Bone from another person is called a donor graft.

Some doctors place a substance called bone morphogenetic protein into the spine instead. It helps to stimulate bone growth.

The surgery can take several hours.