Spinal Fusion Surgery
Alleviating your pain and improving your mobility
If you have a chronic back or neck condition that is accompanied by pain and immobility, you and your doctor will discuss and try many options to help you regain your function.
When non-surgical options have been exhausted, spinal fusion surgery can help to stabilize your spine and get you back to an active lifestyle.
The purpose of spinal fusion surgery is to stabilize your spine and relieve the pressure on the nerves that are causing the pain.
Your symptoms may include:
- Pain
- Numbness
- Loss of bowel or bladder function
- The inability to walk even short distances
Your symptoms must be severe enough after more conservative treatment in order for you to be considered for the surgery. Your doctor will explain the procedure to you and also make sure you are healthy enough to undergo the procedure.
The Spinal Fusion Procedure
In order to stabilize your spine and alleviate nerve pressure, rods and screws may be inserted into the vertebrae to limit its movement. This sets up the environment for the fusion to take place. Your body itself fuses the bone together in the months following the surgery.
You’ll have rehabilitation after your surgery to ensure that you get back on your feet and back to your everyday activities.
What to Expect from Spinal Fusion Surgery
The purpose of spinal fusion surgery is to stabilize your spine and relieve the pressure on the nerves that are causing the pain.
Your symptoms may include:
- Pain
- Numbness
- Loss of bowel or bladder function
- The inability to walk even short distances
Your symptoms must be severe enough after more conservative treatment in order for you to be considered for the surgery. Your doctor will explain the procedure to you and also make sure you are healthy enough to undergo the procedure.
The Spinal Fusion Procedure
In order to stabilize your spine and alleviate nerve pressure, rods and screws may be inserted into the vertebrae to limit its movement. This sets up the environment for the fusion to take place. Your body itself fuses the bone together in the months following the surgery.
You’ll have rehabilitation after your surgery to ensure that you get back on your feet and back to your everyday activities.
In order to ensure you are healthy enough for the surgery, you will have tests before surgery, including EKG and blood tests. You’ll also be given a prescription and instructions for an antibacterial body cleanser and shampoo that you will use a few days before the surgery. This will help minimize the risk of infection.
Preparing for Spinal Fusion Surgery
In order to ensure you are healthy enough for the surgery, you will have tests before surgery, including EKG and blood tests. You’ll also be given a prescription and instructions for an antibacterial body cleanser and shampoo that you will use a few days before the surgery. This will help minimize the risk of infection.
After your surgery, you may have some pain at the surgery site. You’ll be given pain medication and your care team will help get you on your feet to walk several times a day.
After Your Spinal Fusion Surgery
After your surgery, you may have some pain at the surgery site. You’ll be given pain medication and your care team will help get you on your feet to walk several times a day.
You probably have a lot of questions about spinal fusion surgery. Be sure to write them down and take them with you to your office visit. Here are a few to get you started:
- Why do I need this surgery?
- Are there any options we haven’t tried?
- How long will the surgery take and what are the risks?
- How will you know if it’s successful?
- Will I be able to resume my normal activities after the surgery? Will there be any activities I should avoid?
Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Spinal Fusion Surgery
You probably have a lot of questions about spinal fusion surgery. Be sure to write them down and take them with you to your office visit. Here are a few to get you started:
- Why do I need this surgery?
- Are there any options we haven’t tried?
- How long will the surgery take and what are the risks?
- How will you know if it’s successful?
- Will I be able to resume my normal activities after the surgery? Will there be any activities I should avoid?
Jun 11
McKissack had pain in her back that prevented her from visiting her husband. She asked her IU Health doctor for help and was prepped for surgery.
Patient Stories for Spinal Fusion Surgery
Jun 11
McKissack had pain in her back that prevented her from visiting her husband. She asked her IU Health doctor for help and was prepped for surgery.
