Spine arthrodesis

Procedure Information

What is spine arthrodesis?

Spine arthrodesis, also known as spinal fusion, is a procedure used to connect vertebrae in your back to eliminate motion between them. This procedure is used to mimic the normal healing process of your vertebrae. Screws, rods, and metal plates are used to hold your vertebrae together, along with filling the space between them with bone or a bonelike material. This procedure makes the vertebrae heal together as one solid unit.

Why would I get spine arthrodesis?

You are the right candidate for the procedure if:

You have a herniated disk. Spine arthrodesis can be used to stabilize your vertebrae after removing the herniated disk.

You have spine deformities. Spine arthrodesis can be used to correct vertebral abnormality like scoliosis (sideways curvature of the spine).

You have weakness or instability. Severe arthritis can lead to instability between vertebrae. Spinal arthrodesis can help restore stability. 

What happens during the procedure?

Spinal arthrodesis is done under general anesthesia, so you won’t feel or remember anything about the procedure. There are many techniques that can be used to perform the surgery. This depends on the location of the vertebrae you want to repair. 

The surgeon will start by making an incision to access your vertebral column. The incision can be in the neck if the surgeon wants to access your cervical vertebrae. The incision can be made on the back or on the front (your abdomen) to allow your doctor to access the front of your spine.

Your surgeon will prepare a bone graft, usually from your pelvic bones, to use it to fuse two vertebrae. The surgeon will then use screws, rods, or metal plates to hold the bone graft in place between the vertebrae and, thus, permanently fuse the vertebrae.

What happens after the procedure?

You are expected to stay at the hospital for two to three days following the procedure. You may experience some pain and discomfort at the site of surgery. Usually, they can be controlled with pain medications. 

The affected bones in your back may take several months to fuse together and heal. Physical therapy can help you during this period to move in a manner that makes your spine correctly aligned. 

Immediately call your doctor if you have signs like fever, chills, wound drainage, or redness and inflammation of the incision area of the surgery.

Conclusion

Spinal arthrodesis is effective in treating fractures, instability of the spine, or deformities. However, spinal arthrodesis doesn’t prevent your spine from developing more problems that result from degenerative conditions like arthritis. Degenerative disorders are progressive, and surgery can’t cure the root of the cause.

Citations

Mayo Clinic: Spinal fusion