Spinal fusion

Spinal fusion is a surgical techniqueused to combine two vertebrae. Supplementary bone tissue (either autograftor allograft) is used in conjunction with the body's natural osteoblasticprocesses. This procedure is used primarily to eliminate the paincaused by motion of the vertebrae by immobilizing the vertebrae themselves.

While the two vertebrae that are joined rarely detatch, it does create additional risk of damage to adjacent vertebrae.

Conditions where spinal fusion is used

Spinal fusion is done most commonly in the lumbarregion of the spine, but it is also used to treat cervicaland thoracicproblems.

Conditions for which spinal fusion is most commonly done:

• degenerative disc disease
• discogenic pain
• spinal tumor
• vertebral fracture
• scoliosis
• spondylolisthesis
• spondylosis
• other degenerative spinal conditions
• any condition that causes instability of the spine

Types of spinal fusion

There are two main types of spinal fusion, which may be used in conjunction with each other:

Posterolateral fusion places the bone graft between the transverse processesin the back of the spine. These vertebrae are then fixed in place with screws and/or wire through the pediclesof each vertebrae attaching to a metal rod on each side of the vertebrae.

Interbody fusion places the bone graft between the vertebrae in the area usually occupied by the intervertebral disc. In preparation for the spinal fusion, the disc is removed entirely. The fusion then occurs between the endplatesof the vertebrae. This procedure may be done through the abdomen (Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion or ALIF) or through the back (Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion or PLIF).

Using both types of fusion in conjunction yields the highest chances of successful fusion. This is known as 360-degree fusion.

See also

• Arthrodesis
• Back pain
• Low back pain
• Back brace

References

• Modern lumbar spine fusion surgery

External links

• American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
• Spine fusion surgery animation
• Spine.org article on Spinal fusion
• Spine Universe
• Encyclopedia of Surgery: Spinal Fusion

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
It uses material from the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinal+fusion Wikipedia article Spinal fusion.