spinal fusion
Backbone segments joined
Spinal fusion is a surgical procedure that permanently joins two or more vertebrae, eliminating motion between them.
Surgeons use bone grafts, metal rods, or screws to fuse the bones together.
The procedure treats conditions like herniated discs, scoliosis, or spinal instability: After the accident, she needed spinal fusion to stabilize her lower back.
Interlocking bones of spine
- bone graftTransplanted skeletal tissue
- instrumentationDesign of measuring devices
- hardwareMetal goods and fittings
- rodsThin cylindrical shafts
screws · plates · cage · anterior · posterior · lateral · decompression · laminectomy
Of the lower spine
- cervicalOf the neck
- thoracicOf the chest region
- facet jointVertebral interlocking articulation
- pedicleNarrow tissue stalk
lamina · foramen · vertebral body · sacrum · scoliosis · kyphosis · lordosis · nerve root
Spine cushion rupture
- degenerative disc diseaseSpinal cushion deterioration condition
- sciaticaLumbar nerve inflammation
- radiculopathyCompressed spinal nerve condition
- nerve compressionPressure narrowing neural passage
instability · fracture · tumor · infection · myelopathy · chronic pain
Preventing movement entirely
- fixationPersistent mental attachment
- rigidUnable to bend
- anchoringFastening securely to position
- supportTo uphold or sustain
alignment · correction · permanent · load bearing · structural support
Recovery from injury/addiction
- physical therapyRehabilitative movement-based medical care
- convalescencePost-illness healing phase
- postoperativeAfter an operation
- healingRestoration of health
wound care · bracing · discharge · follow-up · pain management · scar tissue · bone healing · return to work
vertebrae
Interlocking bones of spine
- bone graftTransplanted skeletal tissue
- instrumentationDesign of measuring devices
- hardwareMetal goods and fittings
rods · screws · plates · cage · anterior · posterior · lateral · decompression · laminectomy · discectomy
lumbar
Of the lower spine
- cervicalOf the neck
- thoracicOf the chest region
- facet jointVertebral interlocking articulation
pedicle · lamina · foramen · vertebral body · sacrum · scoliosis · kyphosis · lordosis · nerve root · dura
herniated disc
Spine cushion rupture
- degenerative disc diseaseSpinal cushion deterioration condition
- sciaticaLumbar nerve inflammation
- radiculopathyCompressed spinal nerve condition
nerve compression · instability · fracture · tumor · infection · myelopathy · chronic pain
immobilization
Preventing movement entirely
support · alignment · correction · permanent · load bearing · structural support
rehabilitation
Recovery from injury/addiction
- physical therapyRehabilitative movement-based medical care
- convalescencePost-illness healing phase
- postoperativeAfter an operation
healing · wound care · bracing · discharge · follow-up · pain management · scar tissue · bone healing · return to work · walking
- medical caresurgery, examination, injection, prescription, medication
- surgeriessurgery, appendectomy, hysterectomy, minor surgery, elective surgery
- medical treatmentschemotherapy, physical therapy, gene therapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy
- orthopedicsorthopedic surgeon, orthopedic surgery, bone fracture, joint replacement, hip replacement
- surgerysurgery, surgeon, surgeons, operation, incision
- implantsimplant, breast implants, cochlear implants, dental implants, hip implant
spinal fusionconservative treatment
Non-surgical medical management
physical therapy · chiropractic care · pain management · watchful waiting · epidural injection