Lumbar fusion surgery, also known as spinal fusion surgery, is a procedure designed to “weld” adjacent vertebrae into one solid bone in the lower back (lumbar spine), eliminating motion and stabilizing the part of the spine that’s causing pain. The goal is to reduce pain and address instability caused by various conditions, such as degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, or fractures.
Some patients who should consider spinal fusion include:
Several symptoms or spinal conditions may indicate a patient is a good candidate for lumbar fusion surgery. These include:
Conservative treatments are often attempted before considering lumbar fusion surgery. Treatments may include:
However, if the pain remains debilitating despite conservative interventions, lumbar fusion surgery may be recommended. More and more patients are opting for minimally invasive spinal fusions because they cause less damage to surrounding tissues and results in a smaller incision, reduced blood loss, less pain, and a shorter stay at our surgery center. In a minimally invasive procedure, the muscles are spread gently using a microscope so the surgeon can work around them, reducing spinal fusion complications. The length of spinal fusion recovery time is also greatly reduced, as is the amount of narcotic pain medication needed.
There are three main types of minimally invasive spinal fusion that are based on where the damaged intervertebral disc is located:
Recovery from lumbar fusion surgery varies based on the individual, severity of the instability and the treatment provided, but in many cases, it consists of just one week of rest and downtime when the minimally invasive surgical option is performed. After the initial week comes a few weeks of lighter activity such as walking and working, and then by six weeks after the operation, some light exercise.
Most patients get back to life with minimal discomfort, and the vast majority of patients that have a one-level fusion do not experience a real change or reduction in their motion. Most importantly, the pain that they came in with can be eliminated. In fact, top athletes such as Peyton Manning, who had a neck fusion, and Tiger Woods, who had a lumbar fusion, were able to play professionally after their procedures.
It's important to work closely with a reputable spine surgeon to address the patient’s needs and pain when determining the best treatment plan. Schedule a consultation with one of our spine specialists today to learn more about your options and take the steps to feel pain-free.