Low back pain is a common condition affecting most people, whereby approximately eighty percent of the people end up suffering from it at some point in their lives. Primarily, if your back pain or injury has not responded to various conservative treatments, lumbar fusion may be performed to provide long-lasting relief. Therefore, lumbar fusion in Bethlehem is offered by experienced neurosurgeons who are skilled in using the latest surgical procedures and technology like robotic spine surgery with the ExcelsiusGPS Globus system to complete the fusion procedure.

What is lumbar fusion?

Lumbar fusion, also known as spinal fusion, refers to a surgery that limits the motion of a painful segment of your vertebrae, mainly in the lower back, thus alleviating chronic pain. In some cases, during your lumbar fusion procedure, the doctor may add a bone graft to a part of your spine to enable your bones to fuse. This process mimics the natural healing process of broken bones.

Why might you need lumbar fusion?

Some of the reasons that might make your physician recommend lumbar fusion include; severe arthritis of the spine, spinal instability, spinal weakness, fractured vertebrae, scoliosis, spinal stenosis associated with instability, or spondylolisthesis.  If you have tried several conservative treatments like steroid injections, physical therapy, or regenerative medicine and the pain persists, surgery may be recommended. The doctor reviews your medical history and enquires about your symptoms to ensure you are an appropriate candidate for surgery. He also performs a physical examination and performs some imaging tests like MRIs or x-rays.

What to expect during the procedure?

Before the procedure begins, the anesthetist uses some anesthesia to make you fall asleep to ensure the whole procedure is painless. Innovative robotic technology is used by your surgeon for better accuracy and precision, for less bleeding, a tiny incision, and a shorter recovery period.  An incision I made on your back to give the surgeon access to your vertebrae. They also use bone grafts obtained from other areas of your body to enable two vertebrae to fuse together. The bone graft is usually placed between two vertebrae and might use metal rods, screws, or even plates to hold vertebrae together as they heal.

What happens after lumbar fusion?

After the lumbar fusion procedure, you may be required to stay in the hospital for a day or two for close monitoring. During this period, the doctor helps you manage most post-surgery discomforts like pain while you heal and recover. After getting home, you are advised to inform your doctor when you begin experiencing redness, fever, tenderness, or swelling at the operated site.

Since the spine may take several months before it heals completely, during this period, you may be required to wear a brace to help the spine remain aligned during the recovery period. You may also be encouraged to join a physical therapy recovery program to hasten the healing process, build strength and flexibility, and improve your range of motion.

You do not have to live bearing low back pain in your entire life because lumbar fusion is now available to alleviate chronic back pain. Therefore, call or consult Polaris Spine &Neurosurgery Center today to know more about lumbar or spinal fusion. Kindly book your appointment online or call their offices.