Patients often come into my office seeking surgical relief from back pain after exhausting all forms of non-operative treatment, including physical therapy, weight loss and interventional physiatry. If they’ve tried those methods, and their back pain is still significantly inhibiting their quality of life, only at that point do we discuss spine surgery.
One such option is lumbar spinal fusion, a surgical treatment for patients with spinal instability or scoliosis. When chosen appropriately, patients who undergo lumbar spinal fusion can experience fairly rapid relief of their back pain. Below, I discuss lumbar spinal fusion—advantages of the surgery, when it is appropriate, and what to expect before and after the procedure.
Patients with neck and back pain may also find the following information helpful:
- Will Laminectomy Relieve Lower Back and Neck Pain?
- How Does an Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) Relieve Neck Pain?
- How Do Epidural Steroid Injections Relieve Back and Neck Pain?
- How Does Spinal Cord Stimulation Treat Lower Back Pain?
- Will Radiofrequency Ablation Treat Lower Back Pain?
- Lower Back Pain: What is the Difference Between Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty?
About the Author: Theodore Koreckij, M.D. is a board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in conditions of the spine, including adult degenerative disorders and conditions associated with metastatic disease.
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The medical information contained in the Dickson-Diveley Orthopaedics website is provided to increase your knowledge and understanding of orthopedic conditions. This information should not be interpreted as recommendation for a specific medical or surgical treatment plan. As each patient may have specific symptoms or associated problems, the treatment regimen for a specific patient may not be the proper treatment for another.
Gaining knowledge and understanding of a particular problem or condition is the first step in any medical treatment plan. I believe the information presented on our website will be helpful for those individuals experiencing neck or back pain, a spinal disorder, or other related problems. However, this information is not intended to replace the advice of your family physician. You are encouraged to consult with your physician to discuss any course of treatment presented or suggested.
