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, though each surgery is different depending on whether you are trying to treat degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, or another condition. Knowing your spinal fusion options can go a long way toward alleviating your back pain.
In the lower back, a multilevel spinal fusion surgery involves the fusion of two or more motion segments between the first lumbar vertebra, L1, and the first sacral vertebra, S1. This surgery is designed to improve spinal stability and reduce pain in conditions that cause spinal malalignment or spinal degeneration.
Learn the factors that can negatively impact on obtaining a solid fusion following spinal fusion surgery.
Effective and responsible pain management after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgery is a crucial part of the recovery process. Learn what options are available.
Pedicle screws act as anchor points for the rods or plates that stabilize the fused spinal segments and help reduce motion between the vertebrae.
Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) is a surgical treatment for painful, degenerative spinal conditions in the lower back.
Posterolateral fusion and Interbody fusion are different approaches to spinal fusion. Learning how each works can help you understand your surgery options.
