Spinal Fusion (Lumbar)
At Axis Brian & Back Institute, we understand and can help the pain that you are going through. We specialize in minimally invasive spine surgery which is specially constructed to treat spine conditions with a lower infection risk and shorter recovery times than more traditional open back and open neck surgeries. Our patients will attest that we have helped provide solutions after years of chronic pain that took away their ability to perform even basic functions every day.
About Spinal Fusion in the Lumbar Spine
After anesthesia is administered, the surgeon makes an incision in your skin. The tissues are gently moved aside to create a path to your spine. If the fusion is being performed as part of a procedure to relieve pressure on spinal nerves, the spine may need to be modified. The surgeon may remove part or all of the lamina from one or more vertebrae. Removing this bone creates more space for the spinal nerves. If bony growths are pressing against nerves, the surgeon removes these as well.
To create the fusion, the surgeon uses bone graft. This graft can be taken from the hip or a donor. The surgeon removes some bone from the surface of your vertebrae to create a bed where this graft can grow.
The surgeon stabilizes the spine by implanting hardware to lock the vertebrae together. Finally, the graft is placed against your vertebrae.
Once the procedure is complete, the incision is closed. A brace could be used to support the spine. In the weeks after the surgery, new bone grows and attaches securely to the spine. This creates a permanent fusion. Physical therapy may be needed to help heal.
Frequent Symptoms Helped by Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion
Though herniated discs and degenerative disc disease cause symptoms which can change depending on the severity of the condition, there are some general symptoms that often see relief from this procedure.
– Numbness and tingling – Often, patients are experiencing numbness or tingling in the arm and fingers due to the impacted nerve in the neck. This could be similar to what it feels like to lose circulation to the arm.
– Arm pain – The nerve which is affected by the damaged disc often leads to a shooting pain in one arm. This pain can travel all the way from the shoulder down through the fingers. Often, this is accompanied by a pain in the neck along with the radiating pain the arm.
– Weakness – It is possible that the affected nerve is not able to signal the muscles in the arm the way it normally would, causing a general feeling of weakness.
If you are experiencing chronic neck pain and/or any of the symptoms listed above, contact our team at Axis Brain & Back Institute and get BACK@IT. You don’t have to miss out on life’s greatest moments because of pain. Schedule your free MRI review today!
Download a brochure about Spinal Fusion.