Spine Fusion Surgery : Risk Factors, Recovery & Procedure

What is spine fusion surgery?

Spinal fusion is a surgery used to address issues with the small bones in the spine (vertebrae). It is a “welding” measure. The fundamental thought is to meld at least two vertebrae with the goal that they recuperate into a solitary, strong bone. This is done to take out excruciating movement or to re-establish dependability to the spine.

Spinal fusion is typically suggested just after your doctor specifies the cause of your discomfort. To do this, your doctor might utilize imaging tests, like X-rays, Computerized Tomography (CT) scans, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans. Spinal fusion can reduce your back pain if it is caused by degenerative disk disease, fracture, scoliosis, infection, spinal stenosis, or spondylolisthesis.

Risk Factors

Since spine surgery is a complicated procedure, there can be some risks, such as:

• Bleeding or blood clots
• Pain and infection
• Complications from anesthesia

Other potential issues include:

• Nerve injury: Numbness and shivering in a leg. You may lose motion, however that is uncommon.
• Pseudo arthritis: Sometimes, the surgery does not work. Following a couple of months, your back ache might return.
• Donor bone graft risks discomfort or rejection of the tissue.

You can assist with forestalling a portion of these issues by looking for the indications of the disease. Tell your doctor immediately on the off-chance that you have:

Too much swelling, redness, or bleeding by your injury, fever of more than 100 degrees F, increment in discomfort, shivering in the body.

How to prepare?

You might have some blood tests and spinal X-rays if you have not had any as of late. Your medical services group will go over the subtleties of your procedure. Try not to be reluctant to pose inquiries if you do not understand something. Your specialist needs you to be ready.

Here are a few things to contemplate in the days preceding your medical procedure:

• Know when to reach the clinic. You will require somebody to drive you and take you home after the surgery.
• Get a rundown of the medicines you can or cannot take a long time before a medical procedure. A few medications, similar to anti-inflammatory medicine or aspirin, might be hazardous.
• See whether you can eat or drink anything before your surgery.
• Prepare your home. You will require raised toilet seats, shower seats, slip-on shoes, teachers, etc.

Read also: A Complete Guide To Endoscopic Spine Surgery

Procedure

Spinal fusion is performed by a spine surgeon. A local sedation is given to the patient, so you will not feel any discomfort during the procedure.

Before the operation, you will be made to rest and a blood pressure cuff on your arm will monitor your BP, and heart monitor leads will be placed on your chest.

This will allow your doctor to screen your pulse and circulatory strain during the medical procedure. The entire process might require a few hours. Your doctor will set up the bone graft that will be used to intertwine the two vertebrae.

On the off chance that your bone is being used, your surgeon will make an incision on the pelvic bone and eliminate a little part of it. The bone graft may likewise be a synthetic bone or an allograft, which is a bone from a bone bank. Depending on where the bone will be melded, your surgeon will make a cut for the bone to be placed carefully.

In case you are having a cervical fusion, your spine surgeon will make a little cut in the horizontal fold of the front of your neck to uncover the cervical spine. The bone graft will be set between the vertebrae to go along with them. In some cases, the graft material is embedded between the vertebrae in cages. A few methods place the graft over the back portion of the spine.

When the bone graft is set up, your doctor may use plates, screws, and rods to hold the spine back from displacing. This is known as internal fixation.

The additional dependability given by the plates, screws, and rods helps the spine to recover faster and with a higher success rate.

Recovery

After your spinal fusion, you will be required to stay in the hospital for recovery. This by and large keeps going on for three to four days. At first, your surgeon will inform you of your response to the sedation and medical procedure. Your discharge will depend upon your physical condition, your doctor’s skills, and your response to the surgery.

While in the emergency room, you will get painkillers. You will also get guidelines about new ways you might have to move since your movement might get restricted. You may also be required to learn new strategies to walk, sit, and stand properly. Additionally, you may not be able to continue a regular diet routine for a couple of days.

Once you are discharged, you might have to wear a support to keep your spine in appropriate alignment. You probably will not have the option to continue your routine until your body has fused the bone into place. Fusing might require as long as about a month and a half or more. Your spine surgeon might prescribe physical rehabilitation to assist you with healing your back and learning approaches to move properly.

Full recovery from spinal fusion will take about half a year. Your age and well-being will determine how quickly you can recover and have the option to get back to your normal routine.

Best Spine Surgeon for Spinal Fusion Surgery

Since spine surgery is a difficult procedure, you will require a very skilled spine surgeon. For the best results, visit Yashoda Hospital & Research Centre, Nehru Nagar, Ghaziabad. Here we have doctors who make you comfortable with the procedures.

Our specialists include

Dr. Puneet Malik has more than 15 years of experience in neurosurgery. He has performed several complex brain and spinal cord surgeries. He is an expert in treating patients with back pain, epilepsy, paralysis, hallucinations, vertigo, etc. Dr. Malik specializes in a lot of areas including spine fusion, vertebroplasty, brain surgery, etc.

Dr. Shishir Kumar is an esteemed Neurosurgeon, Neurointerventionist, and Endoscopic Spine Surgeon based in Delhi/NCR, brings a wealth of expertise with 9 years of dedicated experience. At Yashoda Hospital & Research Centre in Nehru Nagar, Ghaziabad, he provides comprehensive treatment for a range of neurological conditions.

Dr. Atul Gupta is an expert doctor with an experience of 29 years in the field of neurosurgery. He specializes in performing surgeries like brain tumors, cerebrovascular, epilepsy, and spine surgery.