In-depth information on fusion surgery options, conditions requiring spine
surgery, and outcomes that can be expected after a spine fusion surgery
Anterior cervical spinal
fusion surgery
October 7, 2005
For patients with severe neck pain that doesn't respond to conservative treatment,
cervical fusion surgery may be an option. Cervical spinal fusion surgery (fusing
one vertebra to another) is often done to decrease motion at a painful motion
segment to reduce associated pain at that segment. Read
more...
By: Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD
Surgery
for spinal arthritis
May 25, 2005
Although spinal arthritis tends to be chronic, the symptoms are rarely progressive
and rarely require surgery on the painful spinal joints. However, surgery may
be needed in severe cases, and may include a spine fusion, decompression and/or
laminectomy. Read more...
By: Vert Mooney, MD
All about the
Charité artificial disc: now approved for
use in the U.S.
November 17, 2004
Artificial disc replacement surgery is now available in the US for select patients
with ongoing back pain from degenerative disc disease. As with any new surgical
procedure, a number of factors should be considered before any patient has artificial
disc surgery, including the surgeon's relevant training, the surgeon's skills,
patient selection and appropriate indications, and more. Read
more...
By: Stephen Hochschuler, MD and Paul McAfee, MD
Minimally invasive
anterior approach to spine surgery
October 22 2004
The anterior approach to spine surgery allows the surgeon to have direct access
to the degenerated disc without having to manipulate any nerve roots. Better
correction of the collapsed disc to its native height can also be achieved by
having a better leverage point to open the disc space. Read
more...
By: Mark Mikles, MD and Jeffrey A. Goldstein, MD
Elements
of a spine fusion
July 21, 2004
In order to obtain a successful spine fusion for treatment of low back pain caused
by painful motion of the vertebrae, several elements must be available, such
as bone graft, preparation of the bed for the bone graft, and adequate fixation. Read
more...
By: Ali Araghi, DO
Spondylolysis and
isthmic spondylolisthesis
April 29, 2004
Spondylolysis is the most common cause of isthmic spondylolisthesis, a condition
that is the most common cause of back pain in adolescents (especially in young
athletes) and can also cause recurring or chronic lower back pain in adults. Read
more...
By: Thomas E. Hyde, DC, DACBSP
Artificial
disc for cervical disc replacement (Research
article)
April 12, 2004
The intent of the artificial cervical disc device is to preserve motion at the
disc space. It is an alternative to the use of bone grafts, plates and screws
in pursuit of a fusion following removal of a cervical disc. Read
more...
By: Mark Mikles, MD and Jeffrey A. Goldstein, MD
Update on
minimally invasive spinal fusion
February 23, 2004
There is some new evidence about spine fusion surgery performed in both the front
and back of the spine, and the use of a minimally invasive spinal fusion system
may sometimes be considered. Read more...
By: Rakesh Patel, MD and Jeffrey A. Goldstein, MD
Minimally
invasive spine fusion systems
February 11, 2004
In theory, any minimally invasive system should be able to perform the same fusion
as the traditional open technique, but through several smaller incisions instead
of one longer incision. This article reviews three minimally invasive spine fusion
systems currently in use. Read more...
By: Ali Araghi, DO
Modern
lumbar spine fusion surgery
Updated January 22, 2004
For severe, ongoing back pain and/or leg pain,
a spinal fusion may sometimes be recommended.
The newer spine fusion surgery techniques allow
for improved fusion rates, shorter hospital stays,
and a more active and rapid recovery period. Read
more...
By: John Sherman, MD
Bone
graft substitutes for spinal fusion: August 2003
update
(Research article)
August 15, 2003
Significant advances in bone graft substitutes for spine
fusion have been made in the last couple of years, and
the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved
a number of new products. Read
more...
By: Alexander R. Vaccaro, MD
Transforaminal lumbar
interbody fusion (TLIF)
May 7, 2003
The goal of a TLIF procedure is to reduce back pain/leg
pain and nerve irritation. TLIF is designed to eliminate
motion by fusing the front and back section of the spine
- the front portion of the spine is stabilized by the
bone graft and interbody spacer, and the back column
is locked in place with pedicle screws, rods, and bone
graft. Read more...
By: Stephen P. Montgomery, M.D.
How an electrical
bone growth stimulator works
September 24, 2002
Electrical bone growth stimulators are a supplemental
form of therapy to help enhance the body's bone healing
process—a process that is absolutely essential
for the success of any type of spinal fusion surgery.
Either an internal or an external stimulator may be
used. Read more...
By John Sherman, MD
Electrical stimulation
for spinal fusion(Research article)
November 30, 2001
Electrical stimulation is designed to improve the effectiveness
of lumbar spinal fusion. As the number of studies validating
the use of this procedure grows, there is a better understanding
among spine surgeons about how and when to use it. Read
more...
By: Neil Kahanovitz, MD
Anterior cervical
decompression and fusion for spondylotic myelopathy
August 31, 2001
Because the majority of the anatomy that produces spinal
cord compression is located in front of the spinal cord,
many surgeons prefer anterior decompression of the spinal
cord and nerve roots. Read
more...
By: Thomas M. Wascher, MD, FACS
Overview of
lumbar spinal fusion
September 8, 1999 (updated March
30, 2001)
Lumbar fusion surgery is designed to stop the motion
at a painful vertebral segment, which in turn should
decrease pain generated from the joint. Read
more...
By: Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD
Bone graft substitutes
for lumbar spine fusion surgery (Research
article)
February 7, 2001 (Updated April
28, 2003)
There is a lot of interest in the spine community to
develop a bone graft substitute to use during lumbar
spinal fusion procedures. This article addresses several
viable alternatives. Read
more...
By: Scott D. Boden, MD
Lumbar fusion for
degenerative disc disease
November 15, 2000
Lumbar fusion caused by degenerative disc disease is
an option for patients who have failed to respond to
conservative treatment, who continue to have back pain,
or in whom a specific disc space causes the back pain.
Read more...
By: Paul C. McAfee, MD
Postoperative care for
spinal fusion surgery
October 22, 2000
The management of activities and needs after a spinal
surgery evolve with time. This article explores the
typical recommendations patients can expect from a doctor.
Read more...
By: John E. Sherman, MD
Preoperative preparation
for fusion surgery
July 18, 2000
Although fusion surgeries are done throughout the spine
(cervical, thoracic and lumbar sections of the spine),
the preparation is similar for each and the goal remains
the same—to stop the motion at a painful motion
segment. Read more...
By: John E. Sherman, MD
Inter-body spine fusion surgery animation
In the inter-body spine fusion procedure that's designed to be a less invasive option to obtain spine fusion, two threaded titanium cylinders hold the vertebrae in proper position while spine fusion occurs. View spine fusion surgery animation…
Bone fusion surgery animation
For patients with conditions such as degenerative disc disease or spondylolisthesis, abnormal and excessive motion at a vertebral segment may result in back pain. Therefore, a spine fusion surgery can be performed to stop the motion at a painful vertebral motion segment, which in turn should decrease the back pain generated by the joint. View bone fusion surgery animation…
| Additional patient resources: |
Artificial disc replacement
surgery vs. fusion surgery: Patients vote
January 20, 2006
Nearly half of op90.com's poll respondents said they are postponing spine
fusion surgery in the hope of having artificial disc surgery instead. Artificial
discs are designed to mimic the natural motion of the spine, so patients should
have greater mobility than with fusion surgery. However, there are still unknowns
about this relatively new technique. Read
more...
Spine fusion surgery versus
artificial disc replacement for low back pain: Back Pain Radio transcript
The decision to undergo a spine fusion surgery or artificial disc replacement
surgery depends much on the patient’s anatomy, but also on the individual’s
goals and needs. Read what Michael Janssen, DO, a Colorado orthopedic spine
surgeon and member of op90.com, and Grant Cooper, MD, host of Back
Pain Radio, had to say on the June 20, 2005 show. Read
transcript...
Back-to-Back: Artificial discs and disc replacement surgery
In this section, patients share their advice and experiences with artificial discs, clinical trials and recovery from disc replacement surgery. Be sure to submit your own response as a resource for other patients considering artificial discs versus spine fusion! Read more...
Back Pain Radio transcript: deciding on artificial disc replacement surgery
April 20, 2005
The decision to have artificial disc surgery is based on a combination of the patient’s history, response to conservative treatments and results from diagnostic tests, such as an MRI scan, x-ray and discogram. Read what Justin Tortolani, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon in Maryland and a member of op90.com, and Grant Cooper, M.D., host of Back Pain Radio, had to say about the decision process for when to have artificial disc replacement surgery on the April 18, 2005 show. Read transcript…
Back Pain Radio transcript: Is lumbar fusion surgery a reliable procedure?
March 30, 2005
Modern lumbar fusion surgery is a very reliable procedure, provided it is done by an appropriately skilled surgeon for the right patients. op90.com’s Medical Director and an orthopedic surgeon, Peter Ullrich, Jr., M.D., and Grant Cooper, M.D., host of Back Pain Radio discuss lumbar fusion surgery on the March 21, 2005 show. Read transcript…
New advancement in back care- op90.com Newsletter
Recently there has been a great deal of media coverage about the potential
upsides of the artificial disc and disc replacement surgery, as well as new developments
for other types of spine surgery. This newsletter highlights new surgical techniques
(including artificial discs and IDET) to help patients decide on the best treatment
options for their back problems. Read
more...
New advancements in spine surgery - op90.com Newsletter
Several important
new spine surgery technologies are in various stages of development and
you may want to consider these when making any decision about your treatment
options. As with anything new in spine surgery, most of the information
on the following developments remains theoretical, and longer term studies
and follow-up are needed to fully understand the potential risks and
benefits of each procedure. Read
more...
Please note that these additional patient resources (such as The Back-to-Back Forum and Newsletters) on op90.com are not peer-reviewed by the op90.com Medical Advisory Board. They are provided as additional resources for patients to learn from each others’ experiences and to gain information from our popular newsletters.
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