Common questions

What is the major concern following a spinal fusion?

What is the major concern following a spinal fusion?

Damage to a spinal nerve, which can cause weakness, pain, and bowel or bladder problems. Additional stress on the bones adjacent to the fused vertebrae. Persistent pain at the bone graft site. Heart Attack or Stroke during surgery.

What are the symptoms of a failed lumbar fusion?

In addition to chronic back pain, other symptoms of failed back surgery include neurological symptoms (eg, numbness, weakness, tingling sensations), leg pain, and radicular pain (pain that spreads from one area of the body to another, such as from your neck down to your arm).

What is normal pain after spinal fusion?

After surgery, you can expect your back to feel stiff and sore. You may have trouble sitting or standing in one position for very long and may need pain medicine in the weeks after your surgery. It may take 4 to 6 weeks to get back to doing simple activities, such as light housework.

Why does my back still hurt after spinal fusion?

The formation of scar tissue near the nerve root (also called epidural fibrosis) is a common occurrence after back surgery—so common, in fact, it is so common that it often occurs for patients with successful surgical outcomes as well as for patients with continued or recurrent leg pain and back pain.

Why does my neck hurt after spinal fusion?

The most common reason for experiencing continued nerve pain after a fusion surgery is inadequate decompression of a pinched nerve during the initial procedure. If the spinal cord nerve is still fully or partially compressed, you’ll have lingering pain and symptoms afterward.

What are the most common spinal fusion complications?

Some of the most common injuries, risks, and complications that arise with spinal fusion surgery include: Defective or broken spinal implants. Incomplete fusion. Continued health problems after surgery. Chronic pain. Inflammation. Infection. Blood clots.

What are the long – term effects of spinal fusion?

In addition, nerve damage is a rare, but possible long term effect of having a spinal fusion. Blood clots, bleeding, and pain at the surgical site are potential complications of spinal fusion, according to the AAOS .

What is the recovery time from spinal fusion?

Spinal fusion surgery is a corrective surgery for all spine problems. Spinal fusion recovery time is about 4 to 6 months, with lifetime care.

What is recovery like after spinal fusion?

Recovery Time. After a spinal fusion surgery, patients can expect to stay in the hospital for two to three days while you’re monitored by your medical team. A highly invasive open back surgery requires that patients are monitored to avoid infection, maintain circulation, and reduce stiffness.

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Ruth Doyle