Spinal Fusion

Lumbar Spinal Fusion Surgery

Peer-Reviewed Article

Lumbar spinal fusion stops the motion at a painful vertebral segment in the low back. The surgery helps improve spinal stability, correct anatomical deformities, and relieve nerve compression.

Lumbar spine showing incision point of fusion.

Overview

Physical therapist helping a patient walk

Spinal Fusion Surgery Recovery: 1 to 4 Weeks After

Anterior view of the lumbar spine showing healing over the bone graft inserted for a spinal fusion.

Potential Risks and Complications with ALIF Surgery

Posterior view of the location of a lumbar back incision.

Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF) Back Surgery

Lumbar spine showing incision point of fusion.

Lumbar Spinal Fusion Surgery

Posterior view of spine showing spinal fusion instrumentation.

Pedicle Screws for Spine Fusion

Exposed nerve roots.

Internal Bone Growth Stimulator for Spine Fusion

Anterior view of the cervical spine with artificial disc in between two vertebrae.

Potential Risks and Complications of ACDF Surgery

Fusion rods in the lumbar spine.

Posterolateral Spinal Fusion Explained Step-by-Step

Posterior view of the lumbar spine showing location of microdiscectomy.

Description of XLIF Surgery

Anterior view of ACDF metal plate in the cervical spine.

1 to 2 Weeks After ACDF Surgery

ACDF procedure showing discectomy, bone graft, plate, and fusion.

ACDF Surgery Procedure

Medical illustration of the upper body and neck. The sternocleidomastoid muscle is highlighted in pink

Neck Mobility After a Multilevel Cervical Fusion

Illustration showing cervical spine and cervical vertebra.

After ACDF: Trouble with Swallowing

Closeup view of the sacrum

What to Know About Sacroiliac Joint Fusion

Anterior view of fused lumbar spine.

Postoperative Care for Spinal Fusion Surgery

Posterior view of the lumbar spine showing instrumentation from fusion.

Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF) Surgery

Posterior view of the thoracic and lumbar spine.

Multilevel Fusion Risks

An interbody cage between two vertebrae.

Interbody Cages for Spine Fusion

Posterior view of the lumbar spine showing location of bone graft.

External Bone Growth Stimulators for Spine Fusion

Anterior Cervical Decompression and Spine Fusion Procedure

Posterior view of the multilevel spinal fusion in the lumbar spine.

The Multilevel Spinal Fusion Surgery

Bone graft healing over the implant and fusing L4 and L5 together

Bone Graft Substitutes

Anterior view of the incision spot for ACDF in the cervical spine.

Hospital Care After ACDF Surgery

Artificial disc being inserted in the cervical spine.

ACDF: Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion

Close up view of cervical vertebrae, a disc between two vertebrae is highlighted in pink

Neck Mobility After a Single-Level Cervical Fusion

Medical illustration of the cervical spine. The muscles are highlighted in red to indicate pain, numbness, and tingling.

After ACDF: Trouble with Speaking

The most common method of sacroiliac joint fusion is a minimally-invasive procedure.

How Sacroiliac Joint Fusion is Performed

Physical therapist helping a patient perform a trunk exercise for spine fusion rehabilitation

Spinal Fusion Surgery Recovery: 1 to 3 Months After

Therapists helping patient walk in a hospital after a surgery

Hospital Care After Spinal Fusion Surgery (2 to 4 Days)

Posterior view of the lumbar spine showing screws and rods from fusion.

PLIF Potential Advantages and Disadvantages

Comparison x-ray images of a two and three level spinal fusion

Multilevel Spinal Fusion for Low Back Pain

Posterior view of the lumbar spine showing location of bone graft.

How an Electrical Bone Growth Stimulator Helps with Spine Fusion

Cage being inserted into lumbar spine for fusion surgery.

Anterior and Posterior Lumbar Fusion Surgery

Close up of artificial disc between two vertebrae.

Spine Fusion Instrumentation

Posterior view of isthmic spondylolisthesis in the lumbar spine.

Spinal Fusion Surgery for Isthmic Spondylolisthesis

Anterior view from chest to knees showing myelopathy.

Anterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion for Cervical Spondylosis with Myelopathy

Posterior view of the lumbar spine for location of fusion.

Allograft: Bone Graft from a Donor

Anterior view of the rib cage, thoracic and cervical spine.

ACDF Surgery Postoperative Care

Superior view of ACDF device in S1 vertebra.

3 Weeks to 3 Months After ACDF Surgery

Medical illustration of the cervical spine. The location of muscles in the neck are highlighted in pink.

How Much Neck Mobility Is Lost After Fusion Surgery?

Man on couch looking out of the window

After ACDF: Managing Mental Health

A man holding medication and reading the pill bottle

Sacroiliac Joint Fusion Recovery

Seniors and instructor in an exercise class doing exercise ball exercises with hand weights

Spinal Fusion Surgery Recovery: 3 Months and After

Pills spilled out of a prescription medication bottle

Spinal Fusion Surgery Recovery: After Discharge (First Few Days)

Focused on the disc between two lumbar vertebrae.

Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF) Surgery

Spondylolisthesis in a disc of the lumbar spine.

XLIF: Lumbar Spinal Fusion

Illustration of fusion highlighting the bone graft and plate.

Bone Graft for Spine Fusion

Posterior view of the lumbar spine with a fusion.

Failed Spinal Fusion Surgery

Posterior view of the lumbar spine highlighting blood vessels

Posterolateral Gutter Spine Fusion Surgery

Posterior view of the lower back highlighting the lumbar spine.

Spine Fusion Risks and Complications

Posterior view of the lower body showing pain radiating down the left leg.

TLIF Back Surgery Success Rates and Risks

Bone graft healing over the implant and fusing L4 and L5 together

Autograft: The Patient's Own Bone

Spinal cord and nerves showing trimmed facet joints.

Recovery After Fusion at More Than One Level

Xray image of injection for the cervical spine.

Pain Management at Home after ACDF

Posterior view of cervical spine highlighting C4 and C5.

Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion Complications

Medical illustration showing the incision point for ACDF surgery in the cervical spine

After ACDF: How to Prevent or Manage Constipation

Medical illustration of the cervical spine

What to Expect After ACDF Surgery

A man reading a tablet while pointing at the pain in his neck

3 Things to Know About Neck Motion After ACDF

Video

Posterior view of the lumbar spine with with an artificial disc.

ALIF (Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion) Video

Posterior view of lumbar spine with PLIF implants.

Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF) Video

Anterior view of the cervical spine highlighting the muscles of the neck.

Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) Video

Multi-level Spinal Fusion Video

Lumbar spine fusion in the lumbar spine

Video: Stages of Bone Healing in Lumbar Spine Fusion Surgery

ALIF

Lumbar Spinal Fusion Surgery Animation