|
Spinal Fusion |
||
Spinal Fusion – a procedure in which bone is grafted onto the spine and in which instrumentation such as screws and rods may be used to provide additional spinal support. Spinal fusion is a process using bone graft to cause two opposing vertebrae to grow, or "weld," together. To ensure position and rigid alignment while fusion takes place, surgeons apply spinal instruments, or implants, such as screws and rods to the spine. These implants are joined together to maintain spinal stability and are rarely removed. Spinal fusion and implants are used to restore stability to the spine, correct deformity and bridge spaces created by the removal of damaged spinal elements such as discs. The Traditional Spinal Fusion Procedure with Implants Traditionally, implants are applied directly to the spine through an open approach requiring incisions up and down the middle of the back. Large bands of back muscles are stripped free from the spine and pulled off (retracted) to each side for visualization of the spine and easy access to the bones for instrument implantation. This stripping and retraction can cause considerable back pain, and the muscles, to some degree, are permanently scarred and damaged. Procedure Indications Common conditions indicated for this procedure include severe disc degeneration, recurrent disc herniation, misaligned vertebrae (spondylolisthesis) or traumatic fracture. The CD HORIZON SEXTANT Spinal System can only be used for conditions affecting the lumbar spine. Who can Benefit
|
||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
