Spinal fusion surgery is one of the most common spinal procedures in the U.S. According to a report in The Spine Journal, surgeons perform around 400,000 of these procedures every year.
Doctors mostly consider spinal fusion surgery when other, more conservative treatments fail to produce the desired results.
Before deciding whether you’re a candidate for this procedure, the top spinal fusion doctors in New York will consider factors such as age, health condition, lifestyle, and how much physical activity you expect to engage in after the surgery.
A spinal fusion surgery will take around four hours, and you’ll be under anesthesia during the process.
The surgeon will approach the affected part of the spine from the front (anterior lumbar interbody fusion, or ALIF), side (lateral lumbar interbody fusion, or LLIF), or back (posterior lumbar interbody fusion, or PLIF).
They will position the bone graft between the vertebrae, holding it in place using screws, plates, etc. The attachments will remain in place until the fusion is complete.
The surgery can be open (with a long incision and retraction of muscle and soft tissue) or minimally invasive. The surgeon will discuss both options with you before the surgery.
The bone graft the surgeon uses during the process may come from your pelvic bone, your rib, or an external source.
On average, recovery from this procedure takes longer than other spine-related procedures. It takes four to nine months before your body can produce living bone to replace the bone graft.
Depending on your age, you may also need to undergo rehabilitation upon discharge from the hospital. Your doctor may recommend back braces for you.
Following your release from the hospital (and rehab), you must avoid lifting heavy objects, twisting, and bending. You should also limit any exercise to short walks. It may take up to three months to begin engaging in more demanding exercise.
You can return to work within six weeks if you’re young and healthy. If your job is very physical, it might take up to six months before you can return to work to allow the vertebrae to grow.
Doctors recommend spinal fusion surgery to treat the following:
Spinal fusion surgery is a major surgical procedure, so it’s not without risks. Potential complications associated with the surgery include:
There’s also the risk of a second surgery if the graft and vertebral bone do not fuse properly. This is especially true for multilevel surgeries. According to Veritas Health, around 24% of these surgeries fail.
Are you looking for a surgeon you can depend on for your spinal fusion in New York? Visit New York Spine Specialist today. Our surgeons can complete all types of open and non-invasive spinal fusion surgeries.
Our doctors accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection). Same-day appointments may be available.
Call New York Spine Specialist today at (516) 355-0111 to schedule a consultation.
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Your length of stay in the hospital depends on the treatment approach. If you have a minimally invasive spinal fusion surgery, you can expect to go home within two days. If you have open surgery, you could stay in the hospital for up to a week.
You may also need to stay a little longer in the hospital if you have other conditions (e.g., a history of blood clots) that warrant medical practitioners paying more attention to you.
You should be able to drive again within six weeks. However, it’s best to get the all-clear from your doctor before picking up your car keys again.
You don’t have to worry about any permanent restrictions after spinal fusion surgery, as long as you waited long enough to ensure complete healing.
We offer various spinal procedures that can potentially help your condition right away. Please give us a call and let us schedule you an appointment with one of our specialists today.
