Spinal Fusion is a surgical procedure that involves joining two or more vertebrae (the bones that make up the spine) to create stability and reduce motion between them. The goal of spinal fusion is to alleviate pain, restore spinal alignment, and prevent the movement of the affected vertebrae. This procedure is often performed to address conditions such as spinal instability, deformities, fractures, or to provide additional support after the removal of a damaged disc.

Here's an overview of the key aspects of spinal fusion:

Preparation: Before the fusion, any damaged or degenerated disc material is typically removed through a discectomy or other surgical techniques.

The surgeon may use bone grafts to encourage the fusion process. Bone grafts can be obtained from the patient's own body (autograft), from a donor (allograft), or may be synthetic (made from materials such as ceramics or biocompatible substances).

Procedure: The surgeon uses various techniques to stabilize the spine, which may include placing screws, rods, or plates to hold the vertebrae together.

Bone graft material is placed between the vertebrae. Over time, this graft material fuses with the existing bone, creating a solid, single bone structure.

Fusion Process: The bone graft serves as a bridge between the vertebrae, promoting the growth of new bone tissue. This process is known as bone fusion.

Fusion typically takes several months to complete, and during this time, the patient needs to follow postoperative care instructions to optimize the healing process.

Instrumentation: In some cases, metal instrumentation such as screws, rods, or plates may be used to provide immediate stability while the bone fusion occurs.

Spinal fusion is commonly performed to treat conditions such as degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, spinal deformities (scoliosis or kyphosis), and spinal fractures. While the procedure can be effective in stabilizing the spine and reducing pain, it does limit the natural range of motion in the fused segment. The decision to undergo spinal fusion is typically made after careful consideration of the patient's symptoms, medical history, and imaging studies, and it is often considered when conservative treatments have not provided sufficient relief.