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FAQs - Lumbar Fusion
Q:What is wrong with my back?
A:You have one or more damaged discs and/or areas of arthritis in your back. These produce pain and may produce abnormal motion or a misaligned spine. The discs act as shock absorbers between each vertebra and are located near nerves that originate in the spine and travel down the legs. If the disc is damaged, a portion of it may bulge, become herniated, or even burst free into the spinal canal, putting pressure on the nerve. This can lead to pain, weakness or numbness in the legs.
Q:How can this be fixed?
A:Your condition requires freeing the nerve from pressure and a spinal fusion.
Q:How is the operation performed?
A:An incision is made in the middle of the lower back and muscles supporting the spine are moved to the side. The spinal nerve is exposed, moved aside and protected. The ruptured disc or bone spur is removed to release the nerve. The fusion is then performed. The wound is closed and dressing is applied. The operation usually takes at least three hours, maybe more depending on the complexity of the problem. Sometimes the spinal fusion is done through an anterior approach. This means the surgeon would make the incision in the lower abdomen, gently move the internal organs aside and proceed with the aforementioned surgery.
Q:Who is a candidate for lumbar fusion and when is it necessary?
A:When the back and nerve problems cannot be corrected in a simpler procedure and the pain persists at an unacceptable level.
Q:How long will I be in the hospital?
A:The hospital stay is generally one to three days.
Q:What can I do after surgery?
A:You should get up and move around frequently as soon as you wish and under your physician's consent.
Q:What are my chances of being relieved of pain?
A:Most patients get relief of their nerve symptoms and leg pain, while relief of back pain is less predictable.
