Who Can Benefit from Spinal Fusion?
As with all surgeries, there are proper uses that will result in good outcomes for patients with spinal fusion. In patients where the spinal bones have begun to slip and cause pressure on the spinal nerves (spondylolisthesis), this excessive movement may need to be stopped to prevent worsening of the nerve pressure. During surgery, these patients will have the bone spurs and disc protrusions removed from around the nerve roots and spinal cord, which may destabilize the bones of the spine and cause the bones to slip. Inserting screws and rods in these bones will prevent the bones from slipping any further after surgery and also may be used for correction of the original slippage. Use of screws and rods can also provide stability and correction for patients with scoliosis. Scoliosis is the bending of the spine in an abnormal direction. The curve of the spine may increase with time or may be painful as the curvature of the spine increases. If the patient has a large curve or the curve is
