Lumbar Spine Surgery: Interbody Fusion

Lumbar Interbody Fusion, Read what patient story: Norbert Alphonso

What it is:

In instances when back pain has been localized to degenerative disc disease, or “discogenic pain”, fusion of the spine may be the best treatment option when conservative therapy has be shown to be unhelpful. The object of a spine fusion is to stabilize and restrict the movement of a segment in the lumbar spine that has degenerated and collapsed which is responsible for pain during activity. 

When needed:

Between 60 and 80% of the population is affected by significant lower back pain at some point. Being a complex phenomenon, back pain has many possible causes, including muscular, degenerative, arthritic, and neurogenic (nerve) causes. Once identified as discogenic pain, due to collapse and degeneration of the disc Lumbar Interbody Fusion-Cages maybe the prescribed treatment. 

Our approach:

The basic spine fusion technique involves stabilizing the spine with bone fusion across a motion segment, thereby restriction motion and therefore pain. This entire process, referred to as Interbody Fusion, may be done utilizing only a bone graft placed within the degenerated disc space, or a bone graft coupled with some type of stabilizing instrumentation (often metal screws called pedicle screws). Occasionally, metal cage structures are used along with bone and placed in the disc space to fuse the movement. 

Whether interbody metal cages or bone placed within the disc space patients most benefit are those back pain has been identified as discogenic (going from the disc space) in nature, and with no significant slippage of the spinal vertebra. The goal of the fusion is with the bone or cage in place the patient’s body will fuse the two vertebra into one, and, thereby, stop any unwelcome movement. By stopping movement the patient will form bone that then grows through the openings in the cage or the bone graft to create a solid fusion.   

Lumbar Interbody Fusion

Conclusions: 

The use of intervertebral cages and bone for spine fusion is a novel development in spinal surgery and, aside from producing immediate stability with minimal disruption to normal tissues, is much less invasive when compared to the traditional Lumbar Fusion. For the most part, patients mobilize more quickly and experience less pain in the post-operative period. Lastly, they are discharged from the hospital generally about  two days after the procedure and are advised to wear a brace for one to three months.

Disclaimer

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Tri-State Neurosurgical Associates-UPMC Office Addresses: Administrative Oakland Office Presbyterian University Hospital Department of Neurosurgery Suite 5C 200 Lothrop Street Pittsburgh, PA 15213  Phone: 1-888-234-4357