Lumbar Fusion – Anterior and Posterior
A lumbar fusion may be recommended for diagnoses such as a recurrent disc herniation, scoliosis or curvature of the spine, or for a traumatic injury of the spine such as a fracture. All of these different conditions can cause back and leg pain.
A lumbar fusion can be achieved in a variety of ways and through several different approaches to the spine. What that means for you is that an incision may be made on your abdominal wall, your flank, your backside, or a combination of these approaches. "Anterior" means "from the front" and "posterior" means from your backside. We will study your x-ray studies and determine whether you will require one approach or the other (or, in less common circumstances, both).
During the spinal fusion surgery, human or synthetic bone graft is placed into the spaces between two vertebrae. In time, this added bone "fuses" to the vertebrae and hardens like regular bone. The vertebrae are further secured with screws and metal rods.