Spinal Fusion

What is a Spinal Fusion procedure?

A Spinal Fusion Procedure is an operation that is carried out in order to stabilise and artificially unite certain vertebrae (bones of the spinal column) together, so that normal movement and related pain between the vertebrae can no longer occur.

Fusion is created by grafting and positioning additional bone pieces along side the problematic vertebrae and then allowing the graft material and vertebrae to naturally heal, calcify and unite together.    

Why is a Spinal Fusion procedure commonly performed?

Spinal Fusion Surgery is performed for a variety of reasons but most commonly for the following conditions:

• Fractured Vertebrae
• Spinal Deformity
• Disc Herniation
• Severe Pain i.e. pain that proves unresponsive to all other treatments 

How is a Spinal Fusion procedure actually carried out?

A Spinal Fusion Procedure can be performed under General Anaesthetic (you will be asleep) or Spinal/Epidural Anaesthetic (you will be awake, but sedated). The procedure usually takes around one hour to complete, dependant on the complexity and severity of the underlying condition.

The operation is performed with a patient positioned on their front, whereby an incision is made over the affected area of the spine in order for the surgeon to expose and examine the affected vertebrae. The aim of surgery is to create an environment in which bone grafts and the affected vertebrae can rapidly heal, calcify and fuse together.

An increasing amount of specialists are carrying out this type of procedure by Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) techniques. This type of surgery is carried out with the aid of an arthroscope (surgical camera) and is also known as 'keyhole surgery'. The main advantage of an MIS technique is that the incisions used to perform the procedure are much smaller than traditional techniques, the recovery time is less painful and the healing time is far quicker. For more detailed information on this type of surgery please refer to our separate fact sheet on Arthroscopic Surgery.

The bone grafts used in fusion surgery can be harvested from a patients own bone surface, such as from the pelvis (known as Autograft), or from a bone bank (Allograft).

Once the bone grafts are secured in position alongside the affected Vertebrae, the wound is then secured and closed with stitches (sutures) and covered with an absorbent dressing.

What is the recovery after surgery like?

Once a patient is fully recovered from the effects of anaesthetic they are normally quickly encouraged to be as mobile as possible to avoid complications such as Deep Vein Thrombosis, but to avoid flexing or twisting the newly operated spinal area. It is normal for patients to be encouraged to take a few steps with the support and guidance from a physiotherapist the day after surgery although this is often with the additional support of a support brace to restrict spinal flexion and rotation.

Following a progressive improvement of mobility and pain control patients are normally discharged home around 5-7 days following surgery, although this can be considerably less if the technique used was an MIS technique. By the time the required level of recovery is achieved for discharge, patients are normally wearing a simple wound dressing and their brace, eating and drinking normally, walking confidently and unaided and taking only mild to moderate analgesia (pain killers).

Over the next 6 weeks patients will be expected to work on improving their own mobility through dedicated and progressive physiotherapy and by increasing their daily activity and walking distances.

Your Consultant Surgeon will assess your mobility, spine flexibility and pain control after 6 weeks and then again after three months to evaluate how successful your fusion procedure has been. Patients who are in employment should not resume work until after their first consultation and dependant on the physical nature of their job may be advised to take longer off work.

Patients should expect progressive pain control and a full physical recovery to take between 6 - 12 months to achieve.

Are there any risks associated with Spinal Fusion surgery?

Although Spinal Surgery is regularly performed without any complications, it is very important that all candidates are fully aware of both the benefits and risks of undertaking this type of specialist and complex surgery.

All surgery, no mater how expertly or carefully it is performed, carries risks and the importance of a full evaluation and consultation to discuss your condition in relation to these risks cannot be over emphasised.

How do I find out if I am a suitable candidate for Spinal Fusion surgery?

Surgical Advisor will be delighted to help you find a leading expert in Spinal Fusion surgery to consult with. Your surgeon will carry out a thorough evaluation of your condition and provide you with a comprehensive explanation of the most appropriate surgical solution.
 
Our Expert Consultant Orthopaedic and Neuro Surgeons are most carefully selected and recommended because they understand the importance of the decision you are making when contemplating complex spinal surgery and because of their specialist spinal surgery expertise. Throughout your consultation you will therefore be encouraged to ask as many questions as you wish and to take your time in making a decision to proceed with any recommended treatment.

To ensure that patients are comfortable with any recommendations or advice given in their consultation, all patients are asked to go away after a consultation and think through all the information they have received. If for whatever reason you are still not sure about the best course of action and wish to have further dialogue with your surgeon, you will not be expected to pay for a second consultation appointment.

How do I make a consultation appointment?

For further advice on how to make an appointment to consult with an expert spinal surgeon: 

Please call Surgical Advisor on: 0870 41 41 41 2
Or email us by clicking on: advice@surgicaladvisor.com