If you’ve been struggling with lumbar pain that just won’t go away, it may be time to consider lumbar fusion surgery. This is a major procedure that can have significant benefits for those who are experiencing chronic back problems.

So what is a lumbar fusion surgery? How does it work to help people live a better life without chronic lumbar pain? 

What Causes The Need For Lumbar Fusion Surgery?

Lumbar fusion surgery can have significant benefits for those who are experiencing chronic lumbar back pain. The lumbar spine, also known as the lumbosacral spine, is made of five slats of bone called vertebrae. It supports the weight of the upper body and protects the spinal cord. Lumbar fusion surgery involves fusing or joining two or more lumbar vertebrae together to eliminate pain at its source.

A Lumbar fusion surgery may be recommended when non-surgical treatments, such as physical therapy or medications are not effective in relieving pain associated with lumbo-sacral nerve root compression. A fusion is also sometimes performed for other lumbar conditions like spondylolisthesis (in which one vertebra slips over another), spinal stenosis (a narrowing of the spinal canal that causes pressure on your nerves) or tumors or fractures involving lumbar bones. A laminectomy may also be done at same time with lumbosacral fusions if there’s significant compression of nerves due to bone spurs or a lumbar herniated disc.

The Procedure

Fusion surgeries may take several hours and patients usually spend one night in the hospital recovering after laminectomy lumbar surgery. The procedure involves removing a section of bone from the vertebrae and replacing it with an implant that is designed to fuse together two or more bones, thus eliminating pain at its source.

Lumbar fusion surgery is performed as an open procedure, meaning the surgeon makes an incision in your back to access the lamina and affected disks. They may also use X-ray guidance from different angles during a laminectomy and lumbosacral fusions so that they can see precisely where to remove bone spurs or implant screws used for stabilization of vertebrae during this surgical process.

Recovery

You will spend most of your recovery at home following lumbar fusion surgery and you shouldn’t expect to return to work until six weeks or more after surgery. You should also avoid strenuous physical activity such as contact sports, heavy lifting, and hobbies like golfing or gardening right away since these could increase pressure on your laminae and cause pain.

It is important that patients keep their follow-up appointments with their surgeon so they can monitor how well the spinal stabilization process has gone and if there were any complications during lumbo-sacral nerve root decompression surgeries involving laminectomies.

Reduce or Eliminate Back Pain With William Capicotto MD, PC

Here at the offices of William Capicotto we are dedicated to improving the lives of our patients by helping to reduce and eliminate pain while restoring motion for those affected by chronic pain, spinal disease and injury. If your back or neck problems have caused a decrease in your quality of life call us today at (716) 881-0382.