Is a Spinal Fusion Commonly Given During Surgery for Herniated Disc?
Is a Spinal Fusion Commonly Given During Surgery for Herniated Disc?Some doctors routinely give a spinal fusion to their discectomy patients. But is it always necessary?Answer: Generally you will not automatically be given a spinal fusion when you have surgery for herniated disc. The reason is that so far, at least, research doesn’t support the benefit to you as a patient of a discectomy with fusion. Because of conflicting study results, experts figure that the added cost and potential for related health problems just isn’t worth it, so they refrain from recommending it to the surgeons who follow their guidelines. As with anything in life, there are exceptions, of course. If you are found to have spinal instability along with your herniated disc, research shows that the fusion may be valuable. But the fact is, most people going into surgery for a herniated disc don’t have spinal instability. Only about 5% o
Is a Spinal Fusion Commonly Given During Surgery for Herniated Disc?Some doctors routinely give a spinal fusion to their discectomy patients. But is it always necessary?Answer: Generally you will not automatically be given a spinal fusion when you have surgery for herniated disc. The reason is that so far, at least, research doesn’t support the benefit to you as a patient of a discectomy with fusion. Because of conflicting study results, experts figure that the added cost and potential for related health problems just isn’t worth it, so they refrain from recommending it to the surgeons who follow their guidelines. As with anything in life, there are exceptions, of course. If you are found to have spinal instability along with your herniated disc, research shows that the fusion may be valuable. But the fact is, most people going
