Short and Long Term Effects of Spinal Fusion

Mar 10

What is Spinal Fusion?

Spinal fusion is a surgical technique that permanently connects 2 or more small bones in the spine (called vertebrae) using metal plates, screws, or other materials. The surgery can take 4 to 6 hours and can be performed in any region of the spine. Depending on how many vertebrae are fused, recovery typically takes 4 to 6 weeks, but may take up to 6 months. You may need to wait 6 weeks to 3 months before returning to regular exercise.

Why should I get a Spinal Fusion?

Reasons for getting a spinal fusion include, but are not limited to:

Chronic Back Pain
Degenerative Disk Disease
Herniated Disk
Scoliosis
Spinal Stenosis
Spondylolisthesis
Vertebral Fractures

What are the Benefits to Spinal Fusion?

Spinal fusion can provide pain relief and spinal stability. Conditions that lead to spinal instability can cause pain and may lead to fractures or soft tissue compression. Spinal fusion can mitigate these risks by strengthening your spine.

What are Common Problems after Spinal Fusion?

Limited Range of Motion: Spinal fusion permanently connects vertebrae together, decreasing the flexibility of your spine. The degree in which your flexibility is affected depends on how many vertebrae are fused. It may result in permanent restrictions in your flexibility.
Persistent Pain: Though spinal fusion can mitigate back pain, there is no guarantee that it will resolve all discomfort. Chronic pain management, physical therapy, or another surgery may be needed.
Complications: All surgical procedures have risks of complications such as nerve damage, infection, etc. See below for complications after spinal fusion.

What are Complications after Spinal Fusion?

Non-Union: Although metal plates and screws are used to connect vertebrae, the development of a bone graft is needed to permanently fuse vertebrae together. Sometimes bone grafts do not form correctly, leading to a failed spinal fusion known as a non-union. It takes time for the vertebrae to fuse after surgery, but if you are experiencing back pain, numbness, or tingling 9 months after surgery, you may have a non-union. A second surgery may be needed to correct it.
Hardware Failure: Hardware used in the spinal fusion can break or become loose. If you participate in high impact activities, lift heavy objects, or experience high impact trauma after your surgery, you are at risk for hardware failure. If a screw is loose, you can develop new back pain. You may need another surgery to replace hardware.
Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS): FBSS is back pain that continues or newly appears despite surgery. If back pain persists, you may need chronic pain management, physical therapy, medication, or surgery. FBSS after lumbar spinal fusion may present as piriformis syndrome (pain that radiates down your buttocks and your leg).
Adjacent Segment Disease (ASD): ASD is a long-term complication of spinal fusion that results in progressive degenerative changes in neighboring vertebrae, discs, and joints. Patients may develop symptoms 5 years after spinal fusion. Symptoms depends on where the spinal fusion was performed but may include back or neck pain that radiates to your extremities.

Sources

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