Spinal Fusion Problems

A spinal fusion is a surgical procedure that combines at least two individual vertebrae of the spine. It's primarily used to alleviate severe pain by immobilizing the vertebrae to help with conditions such as degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, spondylosis and fractured vertebrae.

Fusion Failure

One of the desired results from fusion surgery is to stimulate bone growth between the vertebrae to effectively fuse the two bones together. It is possible that the bone will not grow and the vertebral segments will not fuse, which results in a failed surgery and additional treatment.

Problems With Adjacent Vertebrae and Discs

Because one segment is now immobile, the discs and vertebrae in close proximity to the fusion will experience extra pressure and start to degenerate more rapidly.

Smoking Risks

Since smoking hinders new bone growth, smokers have an increased risk of 500 percent of a spinal fusion failure.

Nerve Damage

Because the surgery involves the spinal cord, there is a slight risk of damage to the spinal cord or its branching nerves. There is also the risk of the additional bone growth damaging these nerves.

Other Surgical Complications

In addition to these complications and risks, spinal fusion surgery also has the same risk of complications from having surgery in general, including incision pain, blood clots, pulmonary embolism, surface infection, bone infection and blood loss.