Spine Fusion Surgery

Overview

Spinal fusion is a surgical procedure that permanently unites two or more vertebrae in your spine to increase stability, repair a deformity, or relieve discomfort. Spinal fusion may be recommended by your doctor to correct spinal deformities such as scoliosis, spinal weakness or instability, and herniated disk.

Spinal fusion procedures are intended to mirror the natural healing process of damaged bones. During spinal fusion, the surgeon inserts bone or a bone-like substance between two spinal vertebrae. Metal plates, screws, and rods may be used to hold the vertebrae together until they heal into an one solid unit.

Spinal fusion is a relatively risk-free treatment. However, as with any surgery, there is a risk of problems such as infection, poor wound healing, bleeding, blood clots, injury to blood vessels or nerves in and around the spine, and pain at the location where the bone transplant is extracted.