Spinal Fusion

If noninvasive treatments haven’t effectively relieved your back pain, you might benefit from spinal fusion — a surgical procedure to join two or more vertebrae together. At Austin Sports Medicine, serving the community in and around Central and South Austin, as well as Bee Cave, Cedar Park, and Pflugerville, Texas, the experienced orthopedic surgeons offer a variety of spinal fusion techniques to address your specific needs. Call Austin Sports Medicine or schedule a consultation online today with an expert orthopedic spine surgeon.

What is spinal fusion?

Spinal fusion is a surgical procedure that joins two or more vertebrae together to form a single, solid bone. Austin Sports Medicine offers several types of spinal fusion, including:

• Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF)
• Extreme lateral interbody fusion (XLIF®)
• Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF)

Each of these techniques allows your provider to reach your spine from different angles, including the front and side. They can use these procedures to fuse your vertebrae in your cervical (neck), lumbar (lower), and thoracic (middle) spine. 

When is spinal fusion necessary?

Austin Sports Medicine uses spinal fusion to increase the stability of your spine and reduce painful movements. When appropriate, your provider recommends spinal fusion procedures to address the following:

• Herniated discs
• Degenerative disc disease
• Fractured vertebrae
• Spondylolisthesis
• Spinal stenosis
• Scoliosis
• Infections
• Tumors

The practice provides extensive exams before recommending any treatment, including spinal fusion. Your provider discusses your treatment options with you and answers your questions to help you make the best decision for your health and well-being. 

What happens during spinal fusion?

After you’re prepared for surgery and given general anesthesia, your provider begins by making an incision in your body that allows them to access your spine. When possible, they use minimally invasive surgical techniques to complete your spinal fusion.

If necessary, your provider will remove any damaged spinal discs or bone tissue. Then, they will position your vertebrae and attach a bone graft. 

When necessary, they secure the graft between your vertebrae with medical-grade screws or wires. Your Austin Sports Medicine provider also injects stem cells into your spine to support and accelerate the healing process. 

They might use a bone graft from your own body (autograft) or from a bone bank (allograft).

When they complete the spinal fusion procedure, your provider removes the surgical instruments and closes your incisions.  

What should I expect after spinal fusion?

After your surgery, your provider recommends wearing a back brace to stabilize your spine while you heal and your bones fuse. They also prescribe medication to manage your pain and reduce your risk of infection. 

You also begin physical therapy around six weeks after spinal fusion. Rehabilitation helps you maintain correct spinal alignment while your bones fuse. You relearn how to sit, stand, walk, and reposition yourself. You improve your strength, range of motion, and balance. 

Recovery can take several months, although you can slowly return to your regular activities as you heal. 

If you have chronic back pain and other therapies haven’t provided relief, call Austin Sports Medicine or make an appointment online to find out if spinal fusion is right for you.