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Spinal Fusion
What is Spinal Fusion?Fusion means to join together and in the case of this surgery, the name is aptly applied. Fusion uses bone grafts and surgical hardware to join 2 or more individual vertebrae into one solid piece of bone and metal. The surgery is one of the most invasive procedures used to fight back pain and is a true torture to endure. The operation takes many hours and usually involves large incisions with multiple levels of muscular dissection. Fusion surgery really does massive damage to the spine and the surrounding musculature and most patients require a full year to completely heal.Spinal Fusion IndicationsFusion is one of the few available treatment choices for serious scoliosis, kyphosis, lordosis and other conditions which can lead to spinal instability. In these cases, it might be justified if the circumstances are dire. However, using fusion to treat degenerative disc disease or herniated discs is utterly ludicrous in 99% of operated patients. This is also true for many of the various other conditions typically treated using fusion procedures, as well. The procedure should NOT be used to treat any form of back pain which has ANY other available option. Unfortunately, it is performed unnecessarily everyday on thousands of patients worldwide, causing permanent debilitating injury and disability.Spinal Fusion Facts* Fusion is the #1 cause of failed back surgery syndrome.* Many fusions do not hold properly, requiring additional operations. * Fusion is contrary to natural spinal form and function. * Fusion is the #1 cause of severe post-operative back pain. * Fusion is barbaric and is a poor option, even when truly indicated. * Fusion will place inordinate stress on surrounding vertebral levels, hastening and increasing the incidence of severe vertebral and disc degeneration. This often results in additional surgical fusions in the future. Spinal Fusion AdviceEvery week, I get letters from patients who have endured a horrific fusion, only to experience continued and often worsened pain. Many have been permanently disabled by the surgery and have simply lost hope in finding a cure. Most of these patients were convinced by their surgeon that fusion would be the real cure they were searching for. A significant percentage of operated patients have suffered failed back surgery syndrome and have been utterly abandoned by these same surgeons…“Sorry, I did the best I could” is the typical response from the doctor… There is simply no other way to say this, except to SPELL IT OUT LOUD & CLEAR… Fusion is a poor option. Fusion typically creates more problems than it cures. Fusion goes against the basic principles of our spinal design. Fusion has been the end of the line for many patients, since the damage caused by the operation often can not be undone… If you are considering a fusion surgery for a herniated disc or degenerative disc disease, I implore you to think carefully. Do your own research on this agonizing surgical technique before consenting to anything. Some fusions are indicated and actually go well, since the patient has few or no other options. However, using fusion to treat disc conditions is much like having a loaded gun pointed directly at your head… 7/23/08 Revised 12/7/09
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