Spinal Fusion (Lumbar)

Dr. Jonathan Hall

Dr. Jonathan Hall

Dr. Hall is a Board Certified Neurosurgeon that specializes in treating patients that suffer from neck pain or back pain. He is able to perform minimally invasive spine surgery and the most complex procedures.

What is a Spinal Fusion?

Spinal FusionWhat is Spinal Fusion?

A Spinal Fusion is a popular spine surgery that involves fusing two vertebrae together to stabilize the spine. The neurosurgeon does this to eliminate lower back pain that is caused by several symptoms. One the fusion of the two vertebrae is healed, one solid bone mass is created. 

The main goal of the surgery is to eliminate motion that is causing your pain. Many patients who are Lumbar Spinal Fusion candidates also get decompression surgery with a spinal fusion. This is done to remove discs, diseased tissue, or bone spurs that may be putting pressure on the spinal nerves.

Spinal Fusions can help several conditions:

  1. Degenerative Disc Disease: Over time, the discs between the vertebrae can deteriorate and lose their cushioning ability, leading to chronic back pain. Fusing the affected vertebrae can stabilize the spine and alleviate the pain.

  2. Spondylolisthesis: This condition occurs when a vertebra slips forward onto the bone below it. A spinal fusion can stabilize the spine and prevent further slippage.

  3. Herniated Disc: If other treatments for a herniated disc fail, lumbar spinal fusion can be used to stabilize the spine after the disc has been removed.

  4. Spinal Stenosis: Narrowing of the spinal canal can put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. After decompression surgery to relieve the pressure, fusion might be needed to maintain the spine’s stability.

  5. Fractured Vertebra: If a vertebra fractures and causes instability in the spine, fusion can be performed to restore stability.

  6. Scoliosis or Kyphosis: These curvature abnormalities of the spine can sometimes be treated with spinal fusion to realign and stabilize the spine.

  7. Tumors or Infections: After removing a spinal tumor or treating a spinal infection, fusion can provide structural support to the affected area.

  8. Chronic Instability: If the spine becomes unstable due to an injury or a degenerative condition, fusion can help restore its stability and function.

  9. Pain Relief: Chronic back pain that hasn’t responded to other treatments might be alleviated with lumbar spinal fusion, especially when the exact pain source is identified.

  10. Improved Quality of Life: For many patients, the procedure can significantly enhance the quality of life by reducing pain, improving mobility, and allowing a return to regular activities.

How is a Spinal Fusion Performed?

Spinal Fusion PhotoThe entire procedure takes less than 90 minutes and can be done in our outpatient facility located in Tampa, Florida. General anesthesia will be used to make you unconscious during the fusion surgery. Depending on how many levels need to be fused, the incision could be less than 1.5 inches if it is only a one level fusion.

Once the incision is made, the neurosurgeon will move muscle ligaments and structures to see the damaged area. At this time, if needed a decompression surgery can be done to remove any bone spurs, herniated discs, or bulging discs that can be causing your pain. The lamina can also be removed if space needs to be created for the spinal nerves. Screws, rods, and bone graft is then used to keep the vertebrae from moving. After this step the fusion surgery is finished.

What You Need To Know About This Procedure

Technically speaking a Lumbar Spinal Fusion is considered a Minimally Invasive surgery due to the small incision. This is important to know because there is less blood loss, lower risk of infection, faster recovery, and generally less risk than traditional open spine surgeries. Now, many patients get significant relief after having a lumbar spine fusion. Over 80% of patients say they get significant relief. 

Fusing your spine will limit your motion, but for patients who get a one level or two level lumbar fusion, many patients do not notice a decrease in range of motion. This is a permanent surgery and if recommended for any of the conditions listed above, patients should consider getting this procedure. 

Most people are able to return back to work after 4 weeks. The most important recovery is when the bones from the fusion stabilize and fuse together. This process can take 6 months and will continue to solidify afterwards. In order to speed up the recovery process, your board certified neurosurgeon may prescribe physical therapy which can start 6 weeks after your surgery. With the proper rehabilitation and healthy lifestyle choices after your surgery, the greater the chances for a successful outcome is.

Most people make a full recovery from lumbar spinal fusion in 4 weeks. The most important recovery is when the bones from the fusion stabilize and fuse together. This process can take 6 months and will continue to solidify afterwards. In order to speed up the recovery process, your board certified neurosurgeon may prescribe physical therapy which can start 6 weeks after your surgery. With the proper rehabilitation and healthy lifestyle choices after your surgery, the greater the chances for a successful outcome is.

Spinal Fusion General Questions and FAQs

It depends on the type of work you do, if your job has lots of heavy lifting using your back it can take up to 6 weeks. As for a simple desk job you may be able to return to work as early as a few days

Typically, the success rate for a spinal fusion surgery is around 80%.

After surgery, our nurses will schedule a post op appointment with our surgeon that performed the procedure. This is usually 2-3 weeks after your surgery.

Before surgery we ask you to stop taking anti-inflammatory medication at least 10 days before surgery. There are also some vitamins that you may want to avoid such as Vitamin K, fishoil, and CoQ10. Please give us a call to find out what other vitamins / medications you may want to avoid. 

Generally, most people are able to get behind the wheel and drive after 3-4 weeks.

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What Spine Surgery Do Our Spine Surgeons Perform?

Our Neurosurgical Spine Surgery Team

Currently on staff, we have three Neurosurgeons that specialize in spine surgery. Our Spine Surgeons see patients in all five of our office locations in Florida. To find out more on why patients should choose a neurosurgeon for spine surgery rather than an orthopedic spine surgeon click here. If you want to see their credentials click their profiles. 

Neurosurgeons close to me

Dr. Jonathan Hall, MD

Board Certified Neurosurgeon - Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Florida Surgery Consultants New Neurosurgeon Dr. Donna Saatman

Dr. Donna Saatman, MD

Board Certified Neurosurgeon - Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

What type of conditions do our Board Certified Spine Surgeons Treat?

A tear in the ligament that connects your vertebrae to your disc

Loss of disc cushioning due to the aging process

The jelly like substance in between your vertebrae pushes through the annulus and touches the spinal cord.

A tear in the ligament that connects your vertebrae to your disc

Loss of disc cushioning due to the aging process

The jelly like substance in between your vertebrae pushes through the annulus and touches the spinal cord.

The narrowing of the spinal canal, can pinch your spinal cord and the nerves around it

Inflammation of the facet joints in the spine

 Degeneration or Inflammation of the Facet Joints

A disc that has lost most of its height which can cause disc pain

often called osteophytes, they are bony growths that can form where the bones meet one another.

Normal wear and tear due to the aging process, can also be called Degenerative Disc Disease