The field of orthopedics has improved a lot in the last 5 decades, and that has given a boost to this industry. Not only this but people also are more confident when it comes to having orthopedic surgeries. New techniques and new Ortho Surgical Implants and Instruments have been developed to increase the success rate of orthopedic surgeries. 

Now, when it comes to the most complex orthopedic surgeries, the ones that are performed to treat spinal conditions are considered among them. In this post, our focus also will be on discussing spinal fusion that is performed to treat various conditions that affect the spine. Before we move ahead, let us have a look at what lumbar spinal fusion is.

 

Lumbar Spinal Fusion – An Overview

Lumbar spinal fusion is a surgical procedure that is aimed at fusing the problematic vertebrae in the lumbar spine. This surgery is recommended to relieve painful movements of the lumbar spine and other symptoms associated with different conditions that involve the spine. The goal here with spinal fusion is to permanently fuse two vertebrae to restrict the painful movement in that region. 

Spinal fusion surgery is only recommended when no other treatment method can provide relief from the spinal condition the person is suffering. 

 

Conditions for Which Spinal Fusion is Recommended

Several spinal conditions are there that can only be treated using spinal fusion, and some of the common ones include:

  • Spinal deformities like scoliosis
  • Spinal instability or weakness
  • Herniated disc

 

These conditions may require fusion of the vertebrae to provide relief from pain and other associated symptoms. 

 

Risk Factors Associated with Spinal Fusion

All types of surgeries whether major or minor have certain risks associated and hence, spinal fusion also has some, and they include:

  • Infection
  • Poor healing of the wound
  • Formation of blood clots
  • Bleeding
  • Injury to nerves and/or blood vessels present in or around the spine
  • Painful episodes at the area from where the graft is taken

 

Lumbar Spinal Fusion – The Procedure

Before the surgery, the area where the incision will be made to access the lumbar spine will be cleaned and hair over the surgical site are removed. Besides this, the doctor will perform certain pathological and imaging tests to confirm that the surgery can be performed without any issues. Spinal fusion surgery is carried out under general anesthesia to keep the patient asleep during the whole procedure. 

 

Incision

Making an incision is the first step during the surgery, and it is required to see the problematic vertebrae that need to be fused. Here, the surgeon will make a cut to access the lumbar spine. 

 

Graft Preparation

Now, a graft needs to be obtained that will be required during fusion. The graft can either be taken from the pelvic region of the patient by making an incision in that area or a donor. 

 

Fusion

The third step in the spinal fusion is to place the bone graft obtained into the gap between the two vertebrae that are required to be fused. To hole vertebrae in place and allow the graft to heal, the surgeon makes use of Orthopedic Implants Plates, screws, and rods. Once all this is done, the incision will be closed with stitches. 

Siora Surgicals Pvt. Ltd. is one of the oldest manufacturers of an extensive range of trauma implants that are used for the surgical fixation of different types of fractures. Besides this, the company also holds expertise in exporting implants to numerous global clients. Siora is also working hard to become one of the trustworthy Orthopedic Surgical Companies in Germany for supplying a CE-certified range of orthopedic devices.