The middle 12 vertebrae make up the thoracic spine. In fact, it is more rigid due to the presence of ribs. The thoracic spine lies in the mid-back region between the neck and lower back. The spine is divided into the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine. Between two vertebrae, there is a disc of cartilaginous tissue (intervertebral disc.) The intervertebral discs act as shock absorbers and protect the spine from the movement force during activities such as jumping, running, and lifting. The vertebra is stacked on top of one another. The spinal column has 24 bones called vertebrae. The human spine provides body support and allows you to stand upright, bend, and twist. A spinal fusion will restore stability in these cases. This is most commonly seen in people with severe arthritis. Sometimes, your spine is unstable if there is abnormal or excessive motion between the vertebrae. If a herniated disc needs to be removed, a spinal fusion can help by stabilizing the spine thereafter. A fusion can help correct a spinal deformity, such as scoliosis. This surgery improves the stability or reduces pain due to the following: Therefore, eliminating motion between them. Schiefer, M.D., is a neurosurgeon in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.Thoracic spinal fusion is a surgery that connects two or more vertebrae (permanently) in your spine. Nicotine impedes bone growth and the healing process, so you will need to stop using tobacco or nicotine for six weeks before surgery and at least one year after surgery. It is important not to attempt to rush your recovery as the bone graft requires time to heal and immobilize the portion of your spine. You also will have lifting restrictions immediately after the procedure and have a 50-pound weight-lifting restriction for the rest of your life to try to minimize the strain on the spine and reduce the chance of an adjacent segment problem. Physical therapy will begin about six weeks after surgery. If you have a spinal fusion procedure, you can expect to remain in the hospital one to three nights on average, but will be encouraged to begin walking the day after surgery. Additionally, fusion of vertebrae can place additional stress and strain on the vertebrae above and below the fused portion, and may increase the rate at which those areas of your spine degenerate, which is called adjacent segment disease. Most of the degenerative conditions in the spine are caused by arthritis, and surgery will not cure your body of that disease. Most of my patients report that their lives have not been significantly impacted by this loss of mobility, and quality of life actually is enhanced due to the reduction of pain.Įven when spinal fusion provides symptom relief, it does not prevent you from developing more back pain in the future. Additionally, it is important to consider the pros and cons with this surgery because it immobilizes parts of your spine permanently and changes the way your spine can move. As with any surgery, however, spinal fusion carries the potential risk of complications. Spinal fusion generally is a safe procedure. Your surgeon also may remove a portion of your back structure to reduce pressure on the nerve(s) causing pain. Metal plates, screws and/or rods are used to hold the vertebrae together as a single solid unit while the bones heal. The bone graft may come from a bone bank or your own body, typically your pelvis. Spinal fusion also is used to treat some degenerative conditions and spinal fractures.ĭuring the procedure, your surgeon places bone or a bonelike material within different spaces between two or more spinal vertebrae which will cause these vertebrae to grow together, or fuse, over time. These include correcting instability or deformity in the person’s spine. SPINAL FUSION EXPLAINEDĪ spinal fusion is a common type of complex spinal surgery that can help with chronic back pain in certain situations. However, the pain that some people experience is the result of structural issues with their spines, and those individuals can benefit greatly from a surgical intervention on their spine. This is because their pain is a result of a muscle or ligament strain. Most people with back pain will get relief from nonsurgical interventions, such as heat, ice, exercise and time. “Oh my aching back!” Have you heard this before? Up to 80 percent of adults have back pain at some point in life, and all are seeking relief.