Spinal fusion surgery comes in many forms: Lumbar spinal fusion, cervical spinal fusion, and PLIFs just to name a few. They are all designed to help limit pain caused by the joints. However, each surgery is different depending on whether you are trying to treat degenerative disc disease, Spondylolisthesis, or another condition. Knowing about your spinal fusion options can go a long way towards alleviating your back pain.
Spinal anatomy is a remarkable combination of strong bones, flexible ligaments and tendons, large muscles and highly sensitive nerves that is designed to be incredibly strong yet highly flexible.
Lower Back Pain Symptoms and Treatment Options
While there are many causes of lower back pain, most cases of low back pain can typically be linked to either a general cause or a specific and diagnosable condition.
What is Degenerative Disc Disease?
Degenerative disc disease is one of the most common causes of low back pain, and also one of the most misunderstood.
Degenerative Spondylolisthesis
As the facet joints age, they can become incompetent and allow too much flexion, allowing one vertebral body to slip forward on the other.