Living with chronic back pain can be discouraging. Fortunately, lumbar spinal fusion presents a permanent solution. Though this relief comes at the sacrifice of some flexibility, many patients can compensate for lost mobility and maintain a high quality of life. NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute provides lumbar fusion and other surgical procedures to treat back pain at locations throughout New Jersey. Here, we discuss mobility after spinal fusion to help patients understand their treatment options.
What Causes Lower Back Pain?
The spine is not a single bone, but a stack of multiple bones called vertebrae. The vertebrae interlock with one another to give the spine exceptional mobility. It allows your body to bend and twist with ease while you complete everyday tasks and activities. This is especially true for the lumbar spine, or lower back, which is the second most flexible part of the spine.
However, these joints are also points of vulnerability. The lumbar spine also carries the weight of the body. This puts stress on its joints, making them susceptible to failure. Lumbar vertebrae can be compromised by a variety of conditions, including:
- Traumatic back injuries
- Degenerative joint disease, or osteoarthritis
- Spondylolisthesis, or a slipped vertebra
- Spondylosis
- Spinal stenosis
- Flat back syndrome
- Kyphosis
- Slipped disc
- Herniated disc
- Degenerative disc disease
- Failed back syndrome
- Spine infection
When one of these health conditions arises in the lower back, intense pain may result. This pain isn’t just uncomfortable, but it also interferes with essential back functions like strength, stability, and nerve function. You may find it difficult to accomplish daily tasks or enjoy favorite pastimes. This, in turn, impacts your mood and decreases your overall quality of life.
What Are Treatments for Lower Back Pain?
If you struggle with lower back pain, your physicians will likely start with conservative treatments. Pain medications can help manage symptoms, while rest, a supportive brace, and physical therapy help your back heal. However, these methods don’t always provide lasting relief. Some forms of back pain don’t respond to conservative treatments. In other cases, the effect on your life is widespread, and you don’t want to wait for results.
Lumbar spinal fusion is the standard surgical treatment for many lower back conditions. This procedure uses a bone graft and titanium hardware to permanently fuse two or more vertebrae into a single bone. The fused bone is stronger and more stable than a mobile joint. It also creates no friction or nerve compression, making it an effective and permanent solution to lower back pain.
How Does Lumbar Spinal Fusion Work?
There are a few different variations for lumbar spinal fusion. The procedure may be performed as open surgery, meaning the surgeon uses a large incision for plenty of space to work. It may also be performed as a minimally invasive variation such as TLIF or XLIF. The best approach depends on various factors, including the patient’s overall condition and where the problem joint is located.
All versions of spinal fusion are performed by our resident neurosurgeon, Dr. Branko Skovrlj. The patient will be under general anesthesia, so they’re asleep during the procedure. Once the patient is asleep, the procedure follows these steps:
- The surgeon makes an incision on the patient’s side or back.
- The surgeon removes the spinal disc and places the bone graft material in the gap. This material will encourage new bone to grow, fusing the vertebrae.
- The surgeon anchors the vertebrae and bone graft with titanium hardware to eliminate motion in the joint so fusion can take place.
- The surgeon closes the incision and protects it with a dressing.
Afterward, patients should be careful to follow the surgeon’s instructions. This guidance is to ensure a successful recovery without complications. Though recovery may take time, most patients experience immediate and permanent relief from chronic back pain. The pain will not come back, and the person can get back to normal living.
Mobility After Spinal Fusion
Though lumbar spinal fusion is a permanent solution to chronic back pain, it comes at the sacrifice of some mobility. The fused vertebrae cannot move independently, limiting the person’s ability to bend, twist, and flex. High-impact activities like contact sports and heavy lifting are often restricted after fusion surgery.
This impact is not the same for every patient. The amount of lost mobility depends on which vertebrae were fused. It may also be more significant for patients with multiple fusions than those who only need one. Some patients experience very little lost mobility and can complete all or most of their previous functions. Others may face some activity limitations. The surgeon can help you understand what mobility changes to expect after surgery.
Mobility limitations may also be circumvented. Patients can often compensate for fused vertebrae by adjusting how their body moves in other areas. Physical therapy also helps patients adapt to the changes while maintaining flexibility elsewhere in the body.
Find Lumbar Spinal Fusion Surgery Near You in New Jersey
If your chronic back pain resists conservative treatments, a permanent solution may exist. NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute offers lumbar spinal fusion to eliminate pain. Contact us today to learn more or schedule an appointment at one of our New Jersey locations near you.