fusionsurgery

bessie · Silver Member Joined: 16 Jan 2002 Posts: 267

I have been suffering from back pain for quite some time. I was diagnosed with herniated disk 2 years ago and the doctors told me that everything should be all right as time passes by. I had physical therapy, used medications but the pain is persistent to the point that I can’t stand it anymore. I was wondering if anyone could tell me more about the fusion surgery. What the risks are and how long it usually takes to recover! Thank you

kandt · Newbie Joined: 17 Apr 2005 Posts: 15

In the fusion surgery, a herniated disk is removed and a bone is inserted instead of the disk. Sometimes other instruments are used like plates, screws or cages. The main goal of the surgery is to fuse two vertebrae. Sometimes they use our own bones, sometimes they use bones from a bone bank. The recovery period is much longer that in other spinal surgeries. First, you will have to stay in a hospital for a few days or even longer, so that doctor can see how the healing goes, then maybe some time at the rehabilitation. It will also take some time before you go back to normal activities as the healing process takes some time.

fusionsurgery

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