Spinal fusion surgery: what you should know

Spinal fusion surgery is often required as part of the treatment of very specific spine-related conditions with very specific imaging findings. While it is commonly performed by spine surgeons, the actual percentage of patients that are treated with a spinal fusion is low.

The goal of spinal fusion surgery is to prevent abnormal motion, restore stability to the spine, or correct misalignment of the spine. This is achieved by welding — or fusing — the bony segments of the spine together. With the advancement of spinal instrumentation — screws, rods, and disc spacers — the predictability of successful fusion has increased dramatically. Screws placed into the bone of the spine provide rigid stability, allowing the bone to heal or fuse together.

Bone graft placed next to and between spinal segments heals — or fuses — together.

Titanium screws are placed to provide rigid fixation, increasing the likelihood that the bone graft will heal. Prior to the use of screws, patients were placed on bed rest, in a rigid brace, or casted to prevent motion while the bone healed.