ABOUT POSTERIOR LUMBAR FUSION SURGERY
This spinal fusion surgery just like other spinal surgery procedures involving fusion adds bone graft to a spinal area so as to start a biological response which will cause a bone to grow between the vertebral segments which in turn will stop any motion taking place between these segments. This procedure is often undertaken for spinal disorders like spinal arthritis that may cause the patient a lot of arthritis spinal pain.
SURGICAL PROCESS
In posterior lumbar fusion surgery, the process of spinal fusion is achieved by inserting a cage directly into the disc space. This cage may be created from am allograft bone or it can also be synthetic and made up of materials like PEEK or titanium. As the surgery is done from the back it is known as posterior lumbar fusion.
RISKS OF POSTERIOR LUMBAR FUSIONS
As is the case with any other spinal fusion surgery, posterior lumbar fusion surgery also comes with its own set of risks and complications. These complications include:
- As the surgery takes place from the back, not a lot of disc space can be removed
- Posterior approach may not provide the required level of stabilization
- For problems like isthmic spondylolisthesis where deformity is quite visible a posterior approach alone does not work at reducing that deformity
- The procedure where the cage is inserted from the posterior comes with the risk that neural compression may occur as the procedure will allow retro pulse back into the canal
POST-SURGICAL RECOVERY PROCESS
After the surgery, the patient can be kept under observation for 2-3 days and then he can go back home. The patient can resume daily activities immediately although doctors may prohibit heavy physical work like twisting, bending and lifting heavy objects for six to 12 weeks after the surgery. The patient will most probably be enrolled in a physical therapy program to help him strengthen his back.