Lumbar Fusion

Most patients who have low back pain and/or leg pain will not need surgery however if conservative treatments fail to resolve severe pain originating from the low back then surgery may be recommended. The surgeon will typical recommend what's called a lumbar fusion. This operation almost always first involves either a discectomy or laminectomy where the surgeon will enter the low back region and either remove a herniated disc that is between two vertebrate (the discectomy) or an area of the spine called the lamina (the laminectomy).  The herniated disc or the lamina may be causing pressure on the affected nerve and thus symptoms. Once the disc or the lamina is removed the surgeon will then fill the space between the two vertebrae that was left by the disc or lamina being removed. This is typically done by taking a portion of the bone from the pelvis but some surgeons may prefer to use a bone graft obtained from a bone bank .The bone graft between the two vertebrae will heal and fuse together to create one solid piece of bone (thus the fusion!).  Sometimes the surgeon may insert a titanium plate to add strength and stability to the treated level. If more than one level is treated then a plate is always applied. 

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Patient's who require this operation have reduced pain after the surgery but have limitations to range of motion and strength. This is where physical therapy comes in. In physical therapy we follow specific rehabilitation protocols after an operation. Some surgeons have their own specific protocols which we will follow while others allow for a general protocol to be followed. Our ultimate goal is to reduce any pain that still may be present, maximize the amount of range of motion in your low back after the operation, and to build back strength in your low back and legs. Please see the pictures below to see some of the techniques we use following a lumbar fusion operation. If you would like to schedule an appointment please reach out to us.