Movement between your spinal bones may cause lower back pain which interferes with your performance at regular activities. You may experience discomfort throughout because of this continuous movement. However, you can get back pain Little Silver treatment options if you want a chance at a normal and pain-free life. One treatment can include spinal fusion, which involves the fusion of vertebrae to eliminate movement between bones. Spinal fusion employs techniques that resemble the natural healing process of your bones.
Why Would You Need Spinal Fusion?
The surgical procedure aims to connect vertebrae in the spine, thus eliminating friction between the joints. Spinal fusion improves stability, reduces pain, and corrects deformities such as scoliosis. The surgical procedure becomes an option when you have back pain resulting from degenerative disk disease, fractures, spinal stenosis, and spine infection. You can also get spinal fusion after removing a herniated disk to restore stability. Your doctor can only perform this surgery if they are sure of the exact cause of your pain.
How Do You Prepare for Spinal Fusion?
Your doctor will begin with imaging and blood tests if you have not undergone any. You may have to inform your doctor about your current prescriptions and have a nose swab test to check for bacteria. You can raise your questions about the risks and benefits of this procedure before going into surgery. Before treatment, your doctor will trim the hair around the treatment area and then clean it with an antiseptic.
What Can You Expect During Spinal Fusion?
You will be under general anesthesia, therefore staying unconscious throughout the procedure. Your doctor will then choose a technique depending on the location of the fusion, reason, and general body health. Surgery may involve the procedures below.
Incision
Your doctor will cut in one of the areas that include your neck, any side of your spine, and your abdomen and throat. Thus, there will be an opening to which your doctor can see and access your spine.
Bone Grafting
You may require a bone graft to promote your vertebrae fusion using small pieces of bone that your doctor will place between your vertebral spaces. Bone grafts promote the healing of bones by increasing bone production, thus helping your bone heal into one solid structure. Your doctor can choose an autograft that harvests from your pelvis, a local allograft that recycles bones from a compression area and uses a cadaver bone.
Fusion
Your doctor will place the graft between your disconnected vertebrae during this procedure. Your doctor may use screws, rods, and plates to hold the vertebrae stable and together. You may feel pain after the procedure, and your doctor may recommend ways to reduce the pain. Thus, you will get a chance at a quicker recovery.
You can explore the spinal fusion option for your back pain at Kai Sports Medicine today. Your doctor will determine the cause of your back pain through different diagnostic tests and then set up treatment. Surgery may take hours, but you will have reduced pain after the procedure and can wait to recover as you resume regular activities. Visit the website to make an appointment.
