Does spinal fusion use hardware?

Spinal fusion is a common type of surgery that involves this hardware, and may be performed if you have a spinal deformity, degenerative condition, fracture or breaks, and or other issue causing back pain. During the procedure, your surgeon grafts bone between two vertebrae (the small bones that make up your backbone).

How is spinal fusion diagnosed?

To do this, your doctor may use imaging tests, such as x-rays, computerized tomography (CT) scans, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Spinal fusion may help relieve symptoms of many back problems, including: Degenerative disk disease. Spondylolisthesis.

How do I know if my spinal fusion has failed?

In addition to chronic back pain, other symptoms of failed back surgery include neurological symptoms (eg, numbness, weakness, tingling sensations), leg pain, and radicular pain (pain that spreads from one area of the body to another, such as from your neck down to your arm).

What are the long – term effects of spinal fusion?

In addition, nerve damage is a rare, but possible long term effect of having a spinal fusion. Blood clots, bleeding, and pain at the surgical site are potential complications of spinal fusion, according to the AAOS .

What is the recovery time from spinal fusion?

Spinal fusion surgery is a corrective surgery for all spine problems. Spinal fusion recovery time is about 4 to 6 months, with lifetime care.

How bad is a spinal fusion surgery?

Spinal fusion, like any surgery, carries the risk of certain complications, such as: infection. blood clots. bleeding and blood loss. respiratory problems. heart attack or stroke during surgery. inadequate wound healing .

Why do some spinal fusions fail?

Unfortunately, spinal fusions can fail for several different reasons. A common reason for a failed fusion is that the patient’s spine does not properly fuse. An example of this type of fusion failure occurs when there is not enough support to hold the spine, while the spine is fusing.