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• Anterior / Posterial Fusion

Anterior / Posterial Fusion

Anterior/posterial fusion is a surgical procedure that fuses the front and back of two or more vertebrae. One main purpose of this surgery is to treat symptoms produced by an impinged or irritated nerve root in the spinal column.

Anterior/posterial fusion typically is reserved for patients who suffer from extreme spinal instability or for patients who have undergone unsuccessful spinal fusion surgery. Anterior/posterial fusion requires incisions in the abdomen and the back. In a sense, it is two operations in one. Generally, damaged or diseased intervertebral disc material is easier to access from the front of the spine, and the anterior approach (through the abdomen) usually is performed first. Once the disc material is removed and an interbody spacer is inserted, a bone graft is implanted on the front of the spine. Then, an incision is made in the back and a bone graft is implanted on the back of the spine using metal screws and rods. Complete recovery can take a year or longer.

Spinal conditions that might be treated with anterior/posterior fusion include:

• Degenerative disc disease
• Spinal stenosis
• Spondylolisthesis
• Osteoarthritis
• Facet disease
• Herniated disc

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Many patients find that the symptoms associated with these and other spinal conditions can be treated effectively using physical therapy, exercise, or pain medications. Open back surgery, including anterior/posterior fusion, usually is not suggested by a doctor until weeks or months of conservative treatments have proven ineffective.

If surgery is a consideration, contact Laser Spine Institute (LSI) to learn about a gentle, endoscopic alternative to anterior/posterior fusion or other spine fusion procedures. The award-winning surgeons at LSI perform minimally invasive, outpatient procedures that carry far less recovery time and a greater rate of success than traditional open back surgery. Contact LSI to learn more or for a free MRI or CT scan review.

Please note: Laser Spine Institute currently does not perform endoscopic procedures on the thoracic spine.