Lumbar Spinal Fusion Surgery In Bridgewater, NJ

Spinal fusion is used to connect several vertebrae in the spine to prevent movement between them and reduce any pain that arises from them. It works similarly to a welding process, as surgeons use bone or bonelike materials to cover the space between the vertebrae and hold them together with screws, metal plates, and rods. All these will fuse and heal as one bone, gaining stability and preventing pain. Besides reducing movements between vertebrae, doctors recommend this surgery to stabilize the spine. 

You will need a detailed back pain assessment to determine whether surgery is the best treatment to relieve your back pain. NJ Spine & Orthopedic and our team can help you with lumbar spinal fusion surgery in Bridgewater, New Jersey. We can also assist in determining whether you need this surgery, available options, and good recovery practices.  

When to Consider a Lumbar Spinal Fusion Surgery 

This surgical option can help relieve symptoms from severe back problems such as spinal stenosis, herniated disk, degenerative disk disease, fractured vertebrae, and tumors. It’s also considered an option if your pain arises from movements in the spine, especially if it is unstable due to these conditions. The theory behind lumbar spinal fusion surgery is limiting vertebrae movement to reduce back pains. 

Doctors also recommend this treatment after undertaking several diagnoses and assessments to assess your back pain. This helps exclude conditions such as muscle strain, arthritis, and sacroiliac joint dysfunction, all of which may cause similar symptoms. Surgery is also generally only considered once every other non-surgical treatments fail to ease your pain. 

MRI scans are one of the best ways orthopedic surgeons determine whether you need lumbar spinal fusion surgery in Bridgewater, NJ. However, your surgeon may order a CT discogram if the MRI scan doesn’t prove you have a painful disc. This diagnosis involves a direct provocation to elicit pain by injecting a dye into the suspected disc. If the disc causes pain, you may experience similar pain after the injection. 

Types of Lumbar Spinal Fusion Surgery

There are several types of lumbar spinal fusion surgery. Orthopedic surgeons usually recommend specific options depending on the nature of your back pain and the condition that’s causing the pain. Here’s a detailed look at the type of lumbar spinal fusion surgeries available:

Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF)

Orthopedic surgeons perform this surgery to remove the lumbar disc and fuse the spine. It may include a small procedure, as it involves making smaller incisions that don’t affect the surrounding muscles.

Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF)

Orthopedic surgeons prefer this procedure to treat degenerative lumbar problems like spondylolisthesis and scoliosis. It may be a minimally invasive or open procedure depending on the nature of the conditions. 

The surgeon will remove the laminae and trim the edges to access the damaged disc, nerve root, and spinal canal. The extent of this removal varies according to the spinal level that will be treated and the size of the implant to be used. The surgeon will then perform a discectomy to reduce pressure on the spinal cord or nerve root, implant an interbody device, and add the bone graft. 

Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF)

This procedure is similar to posterior lumbar interbody fusion, although it’s used to fuse the front and back of your spine. Your surgeon may choose to fix the front part with a bone graft or an interbody device and the posterior with different materials, such as pedicle screws or rods. 

What to Know After Getting Surgery

Your back will feel stiff and sore after surgery. You may also experience trouble sitting or standing up, especially while staying in the same position or for an extended period. Therefore, you must consider several dos and don’ts to recover as soon as possible and avoid complications. For instance, your doctor may recommend physical therapy and a back brace to help the back heal. It may take up to a year to experience a full recovery and regain the ability to perform strenuous activities. 

If your doctor recommends pain medication, take them as prescribed. If the doctor hasn’t recommended any drug, ask about the type of over-the-counter medicine that you should take. Your doctor will also give specific instructions on caring for the incisions made during the surgery. Ensure that you follow these instructions to avoid any infections. 

Contact a Lumbar Spinal Fusion Specialist in Bridgewater, NJ Today

Orthopedic surgeons often prefer lumbar spinal fusion to treat back pain from spinal movement, curved spine, and damaged disk. They may also recommend this surgery to relieve symptoms from fractured vertebrae, tumors, and herniated disks. 

For the best lumbar spine fusion surgery in Bridgewater, New Jersey, look no further than NJ Spine & Orthopedic. We’re dedicated to delivering the best surgical services to eliminate a broad range of neck and back pain, including lumbar spinal fusion. Our cutting-edge technology and customer-centered services are the pinnacle of our success. For more information, please don’t hesitate to contact us at (866) 553-0613. You can also complete our online form and we’ll reach out as soon as possibl