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Most often spinal fusion surgery is used to treat condition of the lumbar spinal region. A spinal fusion can be also used to correct cervical and thoracic problems, although there are conditions that require spinal fusion surgery in the thoracic region of the spine. Although cervical spinal fusion surgery is not as common as lumbar spinal fusion surgery, it is still required in some situations. Neurological deficits or severe pain that is not responding to conservative treatment methods is most often the reason a patient will undergo spinal fusion surgery.
If conventional treatments fail, some conditions that may require spinal fusion surgery are:
- Degenerative disc disease
- Spinal Tumor
- Spondylolisthesis
- Herniated disc
- Any other condition that breaks down the spines stability
Degenerative disc disease:
This is a common disorder most often occurring in the lower spine which can lead to disorders such as spinal stenosis (a narrowing of the spinal canal which houses the spinal cord and nerve roots), spondylolisthesis (the forward slip of disc and vertebra), and retrolisthesis (the backward slip of disc and vertebra). Although stated as a disease, this is a condition that can be painful and affect the quality of the victim’s life in a major way. As we age our discs degenerate. This is not generally the problem in itself. Other problems such as bone spurs growing adjacent to the discs and pinching or putting pressure on the nervy nerve roots cause the actual pain.
Spinal Tumor:
Whether cancerous or non-cancerous this growth will develop near the spinal cord or in the bones of your spine. Non-cancerous tumors aren’t particularly worrisome in other parts of your body, but a tumor growth of any kind in the spinal area may impinge on the surrounding nerves which leads to pain and neurological problems and may sometimes lead to paralysis.
Whether the spinal tumor is cancerous or not, these should not be taken lightly as they can lead to life threatening situations and possibly permanent disability. With the advancements made in the treatment of spinal tumors, more options are able to be offered to patients with spinal tumors.
Spondylolisthesis:
This condition is where one of the bones of the spine slips out of place and onto the vertebra below it. Sometimes if the bone slips to much it can press on a nerve triggering painful sensations. Most often it is the lumbar segment of the spine that is affected.
Herniated disc:
There are three types of herniated discs. Thoracic herniated discs are located in the thoracic region of the spine, and although they are rare a upper thoracic herniated disc may mimic cervical herniated disc symptoms and vice versa mimicking lumbar herniated discs. The symptoms of a cervical herniated disc will affect the back of the skull, the neck, shoulder girdle, scapula, shoulder, arm, and hand. A herniated disc in the lumbar region of the spine is the most common form of herniated disc. Most often occurring between the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebral bodies the symptoms of this herniated disc can affect the lower back, buttocks, thighs and may often radiate into the foot. Symptoms of herniated disc include sciatic nerve pain, numbness, and a tingling sensation being felt throughout one or both legs.