Posterolateral Lumbar Fusion
What is it?
Posterolateral Lumbar Fusion is a surgical technique used to treat various spinal disorders in the lumbar region. The procedure aims to stabilize the spine and alleviate pain caused by conditions like degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis (where a vertebra slips forward over another), spinal stenosis, or fractures. It’s often considered when non-surgical treatments have failed to provide relief.
Recovery from this surgery involves a hospital stay, followed by a period of rehabilitation, which includes physical therapy to strengthen the back and improve flexibility. The entire fusion process can take several months. Patients are often advised to avoid certain activities and heavy lifting during this period to ensure successful healing.
Procedure
In this procedure, the surgeon approaches the spine from the back (posterior). The ‘posterolateral’ aspect refers to the placement of the bone graft material in the posterolateral part of the spine, which is the area on either side of the spine between the transverse processes and the facet joints.
The core of the procedure involves placing bone graft material along the sides of the vertebrae. Over time, this graft facilitates the growth of new bone, which eventually fuses the adjacent vertebrae into a single, solid unit. The fusion is often supplemented with spinal instrumentation, such as rods and screws, which provide immediate stabilization and maintain proper alignment of the spine during the fusion process.
By fusing the vertebrae, the procedure reduces the motion at the problematic vertebral segment, thus alleviating pain and instability. Patients often experience significant relief from back pain, especially pain that radiates to the legs due to nerve compression. The procedure can also correct or halt the progression of spinal deformities, improving the patient’s overall posture and alignment.