Spinal fusion surgery is recommended for patients experiencing severe neck or back pain. Doctors recommend surgery as a last resort, when other pain management treatments fail to produce the desired results. Spine fusion surgery is one of the most popular back surgeries today. However, it is generally an invasive and painful procedure that requires careful thought before agreeing to. A major operation like that will likely impact various aspects of your life. It is helpful to learn about all aspects of the operation, including myths and realities, for effective decision-making. You can consult with a qualified neurointerventional surgeon for more information about this treatment and to discuss your expectations.
A Brief Overview of Spinal Fusion Surgery
Spinal fusion surgery is an operation done to connect two or multiple vertebrae into one bone, to eliminate motion that causes severe back pain. It can help stabilize the spine and correct common deformities, such as scoliosis. Surgeons who perform this procedure use bone grafts from a patient’s body or a donor to bridge the gap that could be causing the instability or motion around your spine. They also use screws or metal rods to keep everything stable and in place as your back heals from the surgery. The results are usually a solid, stable structure.
This treatment relieves you of nerve pressure and improves stability in case of conditions like Spondylolisthesis, fractures, and degenerative disc disease.
The goal of spinal fusion surgery is usually to stop movement or instability between your vertebrae. The surgeon creates a single strong bone bridge that remains stable even with movement, relieving you of your pain and reducing nerve compression.
This treatment is the most recommended for conditions like herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, spinal fractures, and deformities like scoliosis.
Since it is an invasive procedure, the surgeon will first administer anesthesia to protect you from pain and discomfort during the procedure. They will then make an incision on your back or belly to access the treatment site. They may remove a bone or disc to prepare the space. They can also obtain a bone graft from your hip or a donor’s hip to fill the space between your vertebrae. Finally, the surgeon will use screws or metal rods to hold the vertebrae and the grafts in position as you heal. Over time, the bone graft will grow and fuse with the vertebrae to form a single, solid, and stable bone.
Although this is usually an invasive procedure, recovery typically occurs quickly. You could be in the hospital for one or two nights, and on pain medication as the pain and soreness wears off. You are encouraged to walk, though mildly, during this time. However, the bone fusion may take one year or more to heal. Although you may experience pain for some time, the pain typically improves as the fusion heals.
Understanding everything about this procedure before the operation is encouraged if your doctor has recommended it. There are myths surrounding it, which you should also be aware of, to make informed decisions. Take time to learn as much as you can about spinal fusion surgery from your doctor or a recommended neurointerventional surgeon as you prepare for the treatment.
Here are common myths about this procedure, and the realities, for your information:
Recovery Takes a Few Months
Many people believe, and will tell you, that recovery after a spinal fusion surgery will only take a few months. Whilst this is true for some patients, it does not happen the same for all. The reality is that recovery can take anywhere from six months to one year or longer, depending on factors such as your age and overall health. Your surgeon may suggest a quicker healing process, but complete healing is generally a lengthy and extensive process. You require ample time to fully recover so that you can resume your everyday life and activities.
Remember that spinal fusion surgery is generally invasive, since it involves cutting through a muscle and drilling into your bone to place metal rods or screws to hold your vertebrae together. Your treatment will likely be more extensive if you require bone grafting. Your body will definitely need more time to heal from such trauma, which may take six months or more.
Additionally, how well you care for your body after treatment will determine how long it takes you to recover from the surgery fully. Some patients are usually not ready to go home from the hospital after surgery because they have underlying health conditions that require additional treatment and care. Some spend some time in rehabilitation, especially those whose motion was severely affected by the underlying back condition. If you need extra care and physical therapy, your recovery will take longer than someone who goes home straight from the hospital to recover.
Remember that recovering from an invasive back surgery is not just about resting. You will need to follow a structured post-surgery regimen that includes occupational and physical therapy, pain management, and other treatments. How well your body handles these will determine your recovery timeline.
Thus, it is helpful to approach surgery with an open mind, recognizing that your recovery can be either brief or prolonged. All this depends on your needs and your body’s ability to heal after the operation.
Minimally Invasive Surgery is Safer
There is always a misconception that minimally invasive surgery is safer than open spine surgery when it comes to the treatment of spine-related conditions. While minimally invasive surgeries are better to some extent, both procedures present similar long-term risks. You need to understand these risks to make informed decisions and choose the type of surgery that is most suitable for your condition and needs.
Minimally invasive surgery entails making a minor incision on the back to access the treatment site. Just as its name suggests, it is less invasive than open-spine surgery, as only a small incision is made, rather than a significant cut on the back. The surgeon inserts a camera and treatment tools through the small incision to complete the treatment. Recuperation after minimally invasive surgery is faster and more effective. Additionally, your risk of excessive bleeding and infections is lower, since the treatment involves less scarring and muscle damage.
However, this does not mean that you are absolutely safe with minimally invasive spine surgery. Remember that the spine is a very sensitive part of your body. Any treatment in or around it puts you at risk of complications that can significantly impact your life.
Even with minimally invasive spine surgery, you need internal hardware like screws, rods, and cages. The surgeon must still place these on the spine to make a fusion and reduce movement or manage the instability in your back. Thus, you are still at risk of hardware failure and damage to the surrounding bones, just like someone who goes for an open spine surgery.
Additionally, minimally invasive surgery requires a high level of precision since the surgery uses a minor incision to operate. The surgeon usually has a limited view of the spine, which increases your risk of a failed treatment or damage to your spine’s delicate nerves.
Also, the amount of pain you experience after minimally invasive surgery is still significant. Although the incision on your back is small, the internal work on your discs and bones is still intensive.
Spinal Fusion Surgery Gives Permanent Relief From Pain
There is usually no guarantee that you will experience immediate and permanent relief from pain after spinal fusion surgery. Some patients enjoy this relief after complete recovery, but others experience persistent pain, even after a successful surgery.
Back pain is caused by various factors, which can be treated by pain medicine, physical therapy, or surgery. If you have tried other interventions without success, there is always hope that surgery will ultimately give you the relief you yearn for. Your doctor may recommend surgery as a last resort, hoping that you will experience relief from pain and discomfort. However, spinal fusion surgery does not always give you permanent relief. It may resolve an underlying issue that was causing you pain, but it may not permanently relieve you of all the pain. This could be because of a failed surgery.
It helps to know that your operation may not work as expected. Your bones may fail to fuse properly as expected, sometimes due to a condition called pseudoarthrosis. This means that you will continue experiencing instability and chronic pain, even after a successful surgery. You may also experience hardware complications. Remember that your surgeons will use metal implants in your surgery, including metal rods or screws to hold the unstable vertebrae together. Sometimes the screws break or loosen after surgery. The rods can slip out of place. This may significantly impact the nearby nerves.
In some patients, the fusion causes rigidity in the spine, which increases pressure and stress on the bones below and above it. This can lead to further degeneration of the adjacent discs, creating an additional source of back pain. Additionally, post-operative pain can linger on for a longer time, depending on how fast your body heals. You may need stronger pain medication to manage it as you recover.
Any Spine Surgeon Can Perform Spinal Fusion
When looking for treatment for your back pain, you may not be keen enough to consider the qualifications and experience of a surgeon. This is due to the general assumption that any trained spine surgeon can perform spine-related surgery. The truth is that the training and specialty of a surgeon matter a lot regarding what they can and cannot do. If you need a successful operation and excellent care, you should choose a surgeon who has experience performing spinal fusions. Understand the difference between orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons, and their capabilities for effective decision-making.
Different professionals employ various expertise and approaches to treatment, which can make a difference in the results you achieve. A neurosurgeon mainly focuses on the nervous system, including the spine and its nerves. They are extensively trained on delicate and safe techniques required when operating around sensitive structures like these. Thus, neurosurgeons are best suited for procedures that require a back or side approach.
On the other hand, orthopedic surgeons mainly focus on the musculoskeletal system, which includes joints and bones. Some orthopedic surgeons specialize in the spine and are experts in the anatomy and function of spine-related structures. In addition to a back and side approach, orthopedic surgeons can also access the spine from the front, which does not directly manipulate the spinal nerves. However, a front approach will require a much larger incision through the stomach, which increases your risk of pain and complications.
When choosing a surgeon for your spinal fusion. Consider their level of training and experience. This will determine the kind of approach they will use for your treatment and the results. You can ask for a referral if you know someone who has had a successful spinal fusion in the past. You can also search online for a reputable and experienced neurointerventional surgeon who has an excellent track record of performing such surgeries.
Spinal Fusion is a Major, Debilitating Surgery
While this is true to an extent, it does not apply to all cases. Spinal fusion can be a significant operation for some patients, and not so major for others. This depends on the extent of damage in your spine, the approach your surgeon uses, and the type of spine surgery you choose.
Generally, any back surgery should be categorized as major, because it involves a very delicate part of your body. However, your surgery may not be so major if you opt for minimally invasive surgery and not open spine surgery. Remember that minimally invasive surgery uses a minor incision on the back, which reduces your risk of pain, bleeding, and complications. You recover faster and can return to your regular activities sooner than if you underwent open spine surgery.
If you really need spinal fusion for your back pain, you can enjoy good results without experiencing complications and extreme pain. Although there will be post-operative pain, it gets better as your body recovers from the surgery. Additionally, your surgeon will send you home with strong pain medications to help you manage pain as you recover.
Thus, although spinal fusion is categorized as a major operation, you may not experience severe complications. If you choose a skilled and experienced surgeon, your risk of complications will be lower. You can also enhance your recovery by following all the post-operative instructions provided by your surgeon.
Spinal Fusion Causes Paralysis or Loss of Movement
It is a myth that you will become paralyzed or lose motion after spinal fusion surgery. Many people believe this because of the few people who reported paralysis or reduced motion after the operation. However, there are many successful stories of people who have benefited from the surgery and have recovered well without experiencing severe complications.
First, spinal fusion should not always be treated as a last resort, after all other treatments fail. Most spine conditions worsen over time. If your doctor diagnoses you with a condition that can be treated with spinal fusion, there is no need to wait until the condition worsens and becomes difficult to treat with surgery. Undergoing the operation when it is needed improves your chances of success.
Additionally, surgeons today employ modern techniques and approaches that are more effective than traditional methods. You have a higher chance of receiving more effective treatment today than you would have received in the past. Additionally, your chances of regaining function and mobility after the operation increase significantly, as your risk of paralysis decreases.
Your surgeon will recommend physical therapy after a specified time following the operation to help you regain your movement and flexibility. If your back pain and the operation affected your mobility, effective physical therapy will help you recover what you have lost over time. However, you must choose an experienced physical therapist. You must also follow your treatment regimen closely with them for optimal results.
You Need Additional Surgeries after Spinal Fusion
You may or may not need additional treatment after spinal fusion. Your surgeon will provide the most suitable recommendation, taking into account the success of the operation and any additional underlying conditions you may have. If you only have a condition that can be treated through spinal fusion, and the surgery is done well, you will enjoy lasting relief from pain without needing another surgery.
Find an Experienced Neurointerventional Surgeon Near Me
Do you or someone you know need spinal fusion in Los Angeles?
If your doctor has already recommended it, take the time to learn more about the surgery from an experienced surgeon. This prepares you for what to expect before, during, and after the operation. Inquire about the various myths and realities, as this will provide you with sufficient information for informed decision-making.
At LAMIS, we have all the information you need to understand how spinal fusion works. Our competent neurointerventional surgeons diagnose and perform effective spine surgeries according to the needs and preferences of our clients. You can rely on us for timely and effective treatment for all your back and neck pain. Contact us at 310-734-6088 to learn more about our services.
