Spinal Fusion

Some of the conditions that might improve with Spinal Fusion include:

• Congenital spine conditions 
• Herniated disks
• Infections in bones or soft tissue of your spine
• Pinched nerves in your neck and lower back 

If noninvasive treatments have not effectively relieved your back pain, you might benefit from spinal fusion. New Life Ortho provides a variety of spinal fusion techniques to address your specific need.

After you are prepared for surgery and given general anesthesia, our providers begin by making an incision in your body that allows them to access your spine. When possible, they use minimally invasive surgical techniques to complete your spinal fusion.

If necessary, our providers remove any damaged spinal discs or bone tissue. Then, they position your vertebrae and attaches a bone graft. 

When necessary, they secure the graft between your vertebrae with medical-grade screws. Our providers also inject PRP into your spine to support and accelerate the healing process. 

Our providers might use a bone graft from your own body (autograft) or it could come from a bone bank (allograft).

When they complete the spinal fusion procedure, they remove the surgical instruments and close your incisions. 

After your surgery, our providers recommend wearing a back brace to provide stability to your spine while you heal and your bones fuse. They prescribe medication to manage your pain and reduce your risk of infection. 

You will also begin physical therapy around six weeks after spinal fusion. Rehabilitation helps you maintain correct spinal alignment while your bones fuse. You relearn how to sit, stand, walk, and reposition yourself. This helps you improve your strength, range of motion, and balance. 

Recovery can take several months, although you can slowly return to your regular activities as you heal. 

If you have chronic back pain and other therapies have not provided relief, call New Life Ortho or make an appointment online to find out if spinal fusion is right for you.