Have you been suffering from back pain for a long time? Even after taking medication and undergoing physiotherapy , there is no improvement? If so, your doctor may have told you about a surgery called "Spinal Fusion". It is very normal to feel a little scared and nervous when you hear that name. But don't be afraid. This can be a treatment that can bring great relief to your life. Today, we will talk about this very simply, in a way that you can understand.
Simply put, Spinal Fusion is a surgical procedure that fuses two or more vertebrae together to form a single, strong structure. Much like putting a cast on a broken arm, this procedure stops the unnecessary movement between the vertebrae that is causing back pain. When they are fused together, the movement of that area is limited. This eliminates the pain and discomfort caused by the surrounding nerves, ligaments, and muscles being pulled.
Why is this kind of surgery necessary?
Doctors usually recommend this surgery as a last resort. That is, only if the pain cannot be controlled with treatments such as medications, physical therapy, and steroid injections . Also, before performing this surgery, the doctor needs to find out exactly what is causing your pain.
If the cause of your back pain is one of the following conditions, this surgery may provide you with great relief.
| Medical condition | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Degenerative disk disease | Pain occurs when the soft 'disc' between the vertebrae wears down and the bones rub against each other. |
| Fracture | A broken bone in the spine due to an accident or other cause. |
| Scoliosis | Abnormal lateral curvature of the spine. |
| Spinal stenosis | Nerve compression due to narrowing of the canal through which the spinal cord passes. |
| Spondylolisthesis | Slipping of a vertebra forward. |
| Tumors or spine infection | Cancerous or other tumors and infections in the spine. |
How do we prepare before surgery?
About a week before the surgery, you will need to have some blood tests and an X-ray of your back .
Your medical team will explain every detail about the operation to you. Feel free to ask any questions you have or anything you don't understand. It's a big help to the doctor too if you're well-informed.
Consider these things a few days before surgery:
- Know exactly when to arrive at the hospital. Arrange for someone to pick you up and take you home.
- Ask your doctor about the medications you can and cannot take in the days leading up to surgery and get a list. Some medications, such as aspirin, may increase bleeding and should be stopped. Remember, never stop taking any medication without your doctor's approval.
- Find out exactly what you can eat and drink before surgery and how long you need to fast.
- Make some small changes to your home. Since you may be unable to bend or lift for a while, it would be much easier to get things like a raised commode seat, a bathroom chair, shoes that are easy to put on, and a reacher to pick up dropped items.
How is the surgery done?
Spinal fusion surgery can be performed in two main ways. One is through an incision in the abdomen (anterior fusion), and the other is through an incision in the back (posterior fusion). Your doctor will determine the best method based on your condition.
After making the incision, the surgeon carefully moves aside the muscles and other tissues to reach the spine. Then, the damaged joint between the vertebrae that is causing the pain is removed.
Next, screws, rods, or a bone graft are used to connect the two vertebrae together and hold them in place. This bone graft can be taken from another part of your body (usually your hip bone). Or it can be a bone graft from someone else (donor graft). Sometimes, a special substance called ``bone morphogenetic protein`` that stimulates bone growth is injected into the bone.
This entire surgery can take several hours.
Can this surgery cause complications?
As with any surgery, there are some risks involved, but it's important to remember that those risks are very low.
Common risks include bleeding, blood clots, infection, pain, and anesthesia-related risks.
In addition, there are several problems that are specific to this surgery:
- Nerve damage: This can cause a feeling of numbness in a leg, but loss of movement is very rare.
- Pseudarthrosis: This means that sometimes the bones that are connected to the joint do not fit together properly. If this happens, back pain can return in a few months.
- Complications of bone grafting: If it is bone taken from a donor, there is a very small chance of infection or the body rejecting it.
You can help prevent some of these problems, especially by being aware of the signs of infection.
If you have these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
* Excessive swelling, redness, or pus around the surgical wound.
* Fever (over 100 degrees Fahrenheit).
* If the pain is getting worse.
* If you feel cold and shivering (like when you have chickenpox).
Recovery time after surgery
You will need to stay in the hospital for a few days after the surgery. Usually about 4 days. However, this time may vary depending on your health and other medical conditions.
During this time, you will be connected to machines that monitor things like your heart rate. You will also have several tubes attached to you.
- An IV line in your arm: This is where you will be given fluids, antibiotics, and painkillers.
- Epidural catheter: Some people receive pain medication through a thin tube placed in their back.
- A catheter: This will be left in place for the first few days because it will be difficult for you to get up and go to the bathroom. Although this may feel a little uncomfortable, it is very important to stay still until your back heals.
While you are in the hospital, physiotherapists and occupational therapists will visit you. They will teach you how to get out of bed, sit in a chair, and walk properly . Before you go home, an X-ray of your back will be taken to see if the surgery was successful. You will need to come back in about 10 days to have your stitches removed. Then you will need to come back to see the doctor for follow-up visits at 4-6 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years.
Remember, recovering from back surgery requires dedication and hard work . It can take 6 months to a year to fully recover. You should continue with physical therapy even after you leave the hospital. For the first 6 months, avoid bending, twisting, and lifting anything heavy . Don't lift anything heavier than a small water bottle. So, you may have to let your family do some of the housework for a while!
Take-Home Message
- Spinal Fusion is a major surgery performed for severe back pain where other treatments have failed.
- It's very important to prepare well before surgery. Discuss everything with your doctor and make your home environment comfortable.
- Recovery takes time and dedication. Follow the physiotherapy instructions exactly.
- Watch for signs of infection, such as swelling of the wound and fever. If you notice anything like this, call your doctor immediately.
- This is a team effort. You, your doctor, therapists, and your family need to work together on this journey. Face this challenge without fear.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න