Are Spinal Fusions Bad?
Are Spinal Fusions Bad?
No.
Like any treatment, it needs to be done for the right reasons, or a bad outcome can occur.
Think of a fusion like fertilizing the grass. The technique of fertilizing is being done to make the grass grow taller and healthier, but it can have the side effect of discoloring adjacent cement, or even killing, the grass if not done correctly.
A spinal fusion is done to grow bones together to make them become one bone, often because the disc that joined the two bones together became worn out, cracked or ruptured. Bone is transplanted into the spine either between the bones where the disc once existed, or along the edges the spinal bones.
Fusions are often done when the bones are out of alignment. That is ,when you look at an x-ray they're either shifted to the right ,left, forward or backward. This is known as instability.
When the bones are unstable ,they must be stabilized or "tightened" so if they don't shift back-and-forth. Shifting, or instability, often bumps the nerves, and becomes painful.
Instability in the neck can produce headaches, neck pain, shoulder pain down the arm to the hand. Low back shifting can cause hip pain, thigh pain ,calf cramping at night or foot pain.
Sometimes fusions are done when there is no instability , but the surgery will cause instability in the future. We know that if the bones aren't fused, misalignments will occur in the future ,and require a second surgery. This is one of the most common reasons people have to go back to surgery in the first year after the surgery.
Done for the right reasons, fusions are an excellent surgical treatment to help certain painful conditions in the neck ,mid back or lower back.
Are You In Pain?
Most patients experiencing pain can be seen by Dr. Callewart or his physician assistant within 24 hours in Dallas, Forney and Rockwall, Texas.
Our Locations
Office Hours
Monday
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tuesday
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wednesday
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thursday
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Friday
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed