Spinal Fusion

Types Of Spinal Fusion

Lumbar fusion: It is performed to ease the pressure on the lumbar spine caused due to degenerative disc changes.

Within lumbar fusion, there are several techniques such as:

• Posterolateral fusion: In this procedure, the bone graft is placed in between the transverse process and the vertebra are then fixed back in place.
• Interbody fusion: In this procedure, the entire intervertebral disc is removed and a bone graft is placed in space between the vertebrae. There are various types of interbody fusion:

• Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF): It is performed from the front by making an incision in the lower abdomen, the intervertebral disc is removed and a bone graft is placed.
• Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF): In this procedure, an incision is made from the back, the intervertebral disc is removed, followed by inserting the bone graft between two vertebrae.
• Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF): This technique is also performed from the back.
• Oblique lateral lumbar interbody fusion (OLLIF): In this procedure, the surgeon approaches the spine from the side of the patient.

Cervical fusion: It is performed to increase the motion and decrease the pressure on the cervical spine.

Thoracic fusion: It is performed when the thoracic spine is unable to move due to certain trauma or deformities.

There are multi-levels of spinal fusion surgery

• One-level spinal fusion: It is used to stop motion at one segment of the spine. In this procedure, two vertebrae are joint together to stop motion at one segment.
• Two-level spinal fusion: It is used to stop motion at two segments of the spine. In this procedure, three vertebrae are joint together. However,  this is likely to put more stress on the remaining joints.
• Fusion of 3 or more levels: It is usually only performed in cases of scoliosis or deformities.