The Bryn Mawr Chiropractor to see - Chiropractor Bryn Mawr

Spinal Fusion: Just the Facts

Backaches and sciatica image.

Most people have at least one episode of low back pain at some point in their lives. And many, in fact, experience chronic low back pain.

When traditional medical treatments, such as physical therapy, exercise and medication fail to bring about any long-lasting relief, a doctor may recommend spinal fusion surgery to correct the problem. This usually occurs in situations where there is degenerative disc disease, a herniated disc or a severe injury to the spine. Spinal fusion surgery is sometimes recommended to correct scoliosis (curvature of the spine) or other irregular curves in the spine.

What happens during fusion surgery? In a 2 - 12 hour long procedure, under general anesthesia, bone from the patient's hip, or from a donor, is used to graft two adjacent vertebrae. The graft is put in place so that the disc and joints between them are no longer able to move. The fusion forms a bridge, using bone, screws, rods and pins that link the vertebrae together. This provides stability to the spine and reduces pain. At least that's the intent of the surgery.

Risks involved? There are several: administration of general anesthesia, bleeding, infection, rejection of donor bone, blood clots, stroke, heart attack and nerve damage. Full recovery can take up to a year or even longer. The success rate may actually be lower in patients with diabetes and osteoporosis, those who smoke or are overweight, and those who may have had radiation therapy that included the lower spine.

Obviously there are risks with any surgery, but back surgery patients frequently suffer from Failed Back Surgery Syndrome. This occurs when a patient is in the same or worse shape as they were in prior to the surgery.

Chiropractic care has shown some impressive results in patients with scoliosis, degenerative disc disease or herniated discs. Many patients have avoided surgery altogether after undergoing routine chiropractic care. We believe that it is an alternative that deserves careful consideration when other traditional approaches to back pain have been tried and have failed. Chiropractic adjustments, along with other non-invasive treatment modalities, may make surgery an option that doesn't even require consideration.

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Dr. Jon Asks some important questions of interest to Bryn Mawr residents - Chiropractor Bryn Mawr Dr. Jon Asks...

How come medical doctors don't recommend chiropractic?
That's changing. Years of prejudice and bias are giving way to research showing the benefits of chiropractic care. As more and more Bryn Mawr folks seek alternatives to drugs and surgery, more and more medical practitioners are referring their patients to chiropractors.
How do you "catch" a cold?
Simply lower your resistance by avoiding the proper rest and exercise, eating lots of sugar and junk food, putting up with emotional stress and neglecting your nervous system by avoiding your chiropractor. You won't have to catch a cold because it will catch you!