Lumbar Spinal Fusion
Lumbar spinal fusion is a surgical procedure that’s performed to address issues with the vertebrae in the lower back. It involves fusing together the affected bones together to prevent painful motion and alleviate chronic symptoms that have not responded to conservative treatments. Dr. Joshua Rovner is one of the top providers of lumbar spinal fusion New Jersey has to offer it's patients. As such, he sees many patients that are dealing with a condition that requires a more aggressive treatment option like lumbar spinal fusion.
When is spinal fusion recommended?
There are many reasons New Jersey spine surgeon Dr. Rovner may recommend lumbar spinal fusion. When performed correctly and by an experienced doctor, the procedure has the ability to resolve a wide range of conditions, including:
Degenerative disc disease. Degenerative disc disease refers to normal, age-related changes to the spinal discs. As the condition progresses, it can cause severe, disabling pain, numbness and tingling in the lower back. When conservative treatments fail to improve the symptoms, spinal fusion surgery can offer a more permanent solution.
Spinal stenosis. Spinal stenosis is the age-related narrowing of the spinal canal. This narrowing can put pressure on the spinal cord and adjacent nerves, causing lower back pain, muscle weakness, and in advanced cases, impaired bladder or bowel control. It’s a fairly common condition that happens as people age. If your symptoms worsen and limit your ability to move and work, lumbar spinal fusion may be necessary.
Fracture. If you have a vertebral fracture, surgery may be necessary to fuse and repair the injury, eliminate pain and restore your full range of motion. If the fracture is also associated with spinal cord or nerve injury, your likelihood of requiring surgery will increase.