Spinal Fusion Specialist

What is spinal fusion?

Spinal fusion is a surgical procedure to join two or more vertebrae together to stabilize your spine. The goal of this treatment is to minimize movement in your spine to relieve chronic back pain, leg pain, or neck pain that results from spinal injuries or underlying spine conditions.

You might be a candidate for spinal fusion surgery if you have chronic pain that’s not treatable with nonsurgical treatments, like physical therapy, spine injections, or spinal cord stimulation.

Dr. Dickerman and the team may consider you a candidate for spinal fusion surgery to address:

• Arthritis
• Herniated disc
• Spinal instability
• Spinal nerve compression
• Scoliosis and other spinal deformities

The team performs a comprehensive physical exam of your spine, testing your flexibility and range of motion. They may also order X-rays or other diagnostic imaging tests to get a close-up look at the inner structures of your spine before qualifying you for surgery.

What happens during spinal fusion surgery?

During your spinal fusion surgery, Dr. Dickerman removes a portion of your spine (laminectomy) to access the nerve roots. He may trim the facet joints that sit over the nerve roots to relieve pressure on the nerves and remove damaged disc material to create more space within your spine.

To fuse two or more vertebrae together, Dr. Dickerman inserts a bone graft, a piece of bone he removes from another part of your body. Over time, the graft fuses to your natural bone to create a solid structure.

Dr. Dickerman can often use minimally invasive techniques to complete your surgery. This type of surgery requires only small incisions to access the damaged area of your spine to perform the fusion.

How long does it take to heal from spinal fusion surgery?

You can expect to stay in the hospital for several days after spinal fusion surgery, so Dr. Dickerman and the team can monitor your recovery.

It can take several months for your bones to fuse together. You may need to wear a brace for a period of time to protect the alignment of your spine. The team will monitor the progress of your fusion with X-rays during follow-up visits to the office.

As you continue healing, the team may refer you for physical therapy and other rehabilitative services to ensure you heal fully. Therapy helps strengthen the muscles that support your spine to help you recover more efficiently and minimize postsurgical pain.

To find out if you’re a candidate for spinal fusion surgery, call the office of Neuro Texas, to schedule a consultation or request an appointment online today.