If you need spinal fusion surgery, you’ll want to understand the different options. A trusted spine surgeon in New York can explain your options, including spine fusion benefits and spine surgery risks.
Learn more about the key techniques used in this type of surgery below.
Anterior CDF
Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) is an option that deals more with problems in the neck than the back. ACDF treats degenerative disc disease and herniated discs in the neck.
Car accident victims may benefit from this minimally invasive surgery to remove any damaged disc and fuse the spine.
Anterior LIF
According to a report published by the journal Accident Analysis & Prevention, about 869,000 spinal injuries occur after car accidents annually in the United States. Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF) is a common minimally invasive surgery physicians use to treat victims after a car accident.
The surgeon goes through the abdomen during an ALIF procedure to reach the front of the spine.
This procedure aims to remove any discs damaged in the accident, allowing surgeons to fuse the spine. In addition to using ALIF to treat accident victims, it may also be helpful for treating degenerative disc disease in the back.
Lateral LIF
According to The Spine Journal, spinal fusion surgery is more common than you may think. More than 400,000 surgeries occur annually in the United States. Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion (LLIF) is a popular minimally invasive type of fusion surgery for injuries that occur in the lower back after a car crash.
The surgeon will enter the body through the patient’s side, which spares some of the muscles and tendons more than other fusion surgery techniques.
Posterior LIF
According to the Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund Commission, motor vehicle accidents account for 38.3% of spinal cord injuries. This makes car accidents the leading cause of these injuries.
Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF) is an option after a spinal injury after a car crash. PLIF may also help people with scoliosis, sciatica, and severe leg pain.
In this procedure, the orthopedic spine surgeon accesses the spine from the back of the body. If you need extensive surgery after a car crash, PLIF is a likely option. Surgeons can perform PLIF as a minimally invasive type of surgery or as a traditional open-back surgery.
Transforaminal LIF
Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF) is a treatment for major spinal injuries in the lower back. During this surgery, the doctor fuses the front and back of the spine. It may involve using rods, screws, and bone grafts to avoid long-term effects from spinal injuries.
TLIF can be a major open-back surgery or a minimally invasive operation.
According to Frontiers in Pain Research, as many as 10% to 40% of lumbar fusion surgery patients suffer from persistent post-surgical pain (PPSP). Managing pain from the aftermath of the car accident and the TLIF surgery can be challenging. Your surgeon can give you techniques and advice on pain management.
Learn More About Your Spinal Fusion Surgery Options With Our Help
If you need spinal fusion after an auto accident or another type of trauma, we can help. At New York Spine Specialist, we can explain all the types of spinal fusion surgery that are available to you and why we recommend a certain path for you to take.
Our doctors accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection). Same-day appointments may be available. Call us at (516) 355-0111 or book your appointment online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Whether you are wondering what spinal fusion surgery is or you need to understand your recovery timeline, we can answer your questions.
What Is Spinal Fusion Surgery?
Spinal fusion surgery is a procedure doctors use to treat several different spinal conditions, including herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and degenerative disc disease. Disease and traumatic accidents may necessitate this kind of surgery.
Can I Live a Normal Life After Cervical Spinal Fusion?
Yes, many people can live a normal life after cervical spinal fusion. As long as you follow your doctor’s guidelines and maintain a healthy lifestyle, you can often return to your normal life.
What Is Spine Stabilization Surgery?
Spine stabilization surgery is a procedure that attempts to correct instability in two or more vertebrae. Stabilization allows some movement between the vertebrae, while fusion surgery prevents any movement between the vertebrae.
Is Spinal Fusion Surgery Considered a Major Surgery?
Yes, spinal fusion surgery is a major type of surgery. It can include things like using rods, screws, and bone grafting in spinal fusion techniques to fuse two or more vertebrae in the spine.