Spinal Fusion

How is Spinal Fusion performed?

Why should Spinal Fusion be avoided?

01
Highly invasive: large incision and excessive cutting of normal tissues between skin and spine during Spinal Fusion.
02
Excessive and unnecessary bleeding during and after surgery from tissue trauma by the surgeon.
03
Destruction of normal stabilizing bones including lamina and spinous process by the surgeon during TLIF Spinal Fusion.
04
Destruction of normal stabilizing ligaments including longitudinal, supraspinous, interspinous and ligamentum flavum by the surgeon during Spinal Fusion.
05
Destruction of normal muscles around the spine by the surgeon during Spinal Fusion.
06
Excessive scar tissue forms around the spine and nerves after Spinal Fusion.
07
Complications are common after Spinal Fusion.
08
Spinal instability is common after Spinal Fusion.
09
Disc herniations and degenerated discs are not treated properly when Spinal Fusion is performed. The source of back pain (inflammation) is not removed. Untreated posterior annular tear and herniation is the most common cause of back and leg pain after Spinal Fusion.
10
Stenosis either persists or reoccurs commonly after Spinal Fusion and will require additional surgery.
11
Adjacent segment disease is common after Spinal Fusion and requires additional surgery.
12
Excessive postoperative pain always occurs after Spinal Fusion due to soft tissue injury, muscle trauma and necrosis all caused by the surgeon. During TLIF and lateral Spinal Fusion the muscles are torn off the spine to get down to the disc. The dying back muscles cause severe postoperative inflammation and pain that always requires opioid painkillers and muscle relaxers. Opioid painkillers are highly addicting, cause tolerance, abuse and even death from breathing failure.
13
Spinal Fusion is generally not performed to treat back pain.
14
Back pain often becomes worse after Spinal Fusion. Pain management will be recommended indefinitely.
15
ALIF has the highest chance of complications including bowel perforation, vascular injury and sexual dysfunction.
16
Long operating times are needed for Spinal Fusion.
17
General intubated anesthesia is needed for Spinal Fusion.
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Additional surgery will be necessary in over 90% of patients having Spinal Fusion.
19
Recurrent disc herniation is common after Spinal Fusion.
20
Most Spinal Fusion patients end up in pain management after surgery.

What complications occur with Spinal Fusion?

01
Nerve root damage
02
Spinal fluid leak
03
Infection: discitis, osteomyelitis, blood, spinal fluid, lungs, bladder & kidney
04
Recurrent disc herniation
05
Residual stenosis causing leg or arm pain and pinched nerves.
06
Hardware failure: screw loosening, broken screw or rod, cage migration
07
Proximal junction kyphosis and failure
08
Vertebral fracture, subsidence, telescoping of implant
09
Adjacent segment disease, spinal instability
10
Deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, heart attack, pneumothorax
11
Failed back surgery, chronic pain
12
Sexual dysfunction, retrograde ejaculation
13
Excessive scar tissue formation
14
Heterotopic ossification, osteonecrosis
15
Death
16
Excessive radiation exposure
17
Allergic reactions