An upright, stable posture is regarded as attractive and socially acceptable. Children are often corrected on their posture. However, there are people who are not able to maintain that upright appearance due to disorders of the spine, or injury. Multilevel spinal fusion may offer them new hope in recovering at least partially the posture that they desire.
This treatment causes two or more vertebrae to connect on a permanent basis through fusing of the bone tissue. The vertebrae are the individual small bones that make up the body's backbone. They are separated by flat discs of cartilage. The spine joins the skeleton's different parts together, from the skull to the chest to the pelvis, and so it is understandable that any disorder affecting the backbone results in reduced motion and reduced quality of life, let alone posture.
Common disorders of the spine are those such as scoliosis or kyphosis, which are both easily recognisable by the distorted posture that they cause. Sometimes, a cartilage disc may shift out of place (herniation, usually referred to as a slipped disc), or external trauma may result in a fractured vertebra. Over time, the cartilage may also disappear, allowing bone to touch bone. These problems are treatable through the process of vertebral merging. It may also be applied to cases of severe back pain.
The underlying principle in the technique is that bone has the innate propensity to fuse with other bone. With artificial assistance, the two vertebrae merge permanently. There are two distinct methods of making this happen. The interbody method makes use of a synthetic disc, which is installed as a substitute for the original cartilage, which is either absent or is removed by the practitioner. The vertebrae then fuse at their edges. The posterolateral method, however, relies on a piece of bone being placed between the transverse processes (the little fingers of bone that extend from the backbone) and the installation of pedicle screws. Where both methods are employed at the same time, the treatment is referred to as 360-degree fusion.
The multi part of the name is a reference to the extent of the intervention. The spaces between the vertebrae are known as levels. A single level procedure involves only one join, while a multilevel process is more extensive. Usually, the treatment does not go beyond two levels.
It is important to note that the insertion of the pedicle screws requires practice and specific training. Also, the synthetic discs come in different materials, so patients should be properly informed as to what options are available to them and what would best suit their specific situation.
As a comparatively newer therapy in modern medicine, the fusion method has not been introduced without a measure of criticism. This is often the case with new methods of therapy, so patients should obtain proper information and discuss the treatment with their medical practitioner.
This treatment causes two or more vertebrae to connect on a permanent basis through fusing of the bone tissue. The vertebrae are the individual small bones that make up the body's backbone. They are separated by flat discs of cartilage. The spine joins the skeleton's different parts together, from the skull to the chest to the pelvis, and so it is understandable that any disorder affecting the backbone results in reduced motion and reduced quality of life, let alone posture.
Common disorders of the spine are those such as scoliosis or kyphosis, which are both easily recognisable by the distorted posture that they cause. Sometimes, a cartilage disc may shift out of place (herniation, usually referred to as a slipped disc), or external trauma may result in a fractured vertebra. Over time, the cartilage may also disappear, allowing bone to touch bone. These problems are treatable through the process of vertebral merging. It may also be applied to cases of severe back pain.
The underlying principle in the technique is that bone has the innate propensity to fuse with other bone. With artificial assistance, the two vertebrae merge permanently. There are two distinct methods of making this happen. The interbody method makes use of a synthetic disc, which is installed as a substitute for the original cartilage, which is either absent or is removed by the practitioner. The vertebrae then fuse at their edges. The posterolateral method, however, relies on a piece of bone being placed between the transverse processes (the little fingers of bone that extend from the backbone) and the installation of pedicle screws. Where both methods are employed at the same time, the treatment is referred to as 360-degree fusion.
The multi part of the name is a reference to the extent of the intervention. The spaces between the vertebrae are known as levels. A single level procedure involves only one join, while a multilevel process is more extensive. Usually, the treatment does not go beyond two levels.
It is important to note that the insertion of the pedicle screws requires practice and specific training. Also, the synthetic discs come in different materials, so patients should be properly informed as to what options are available to them and what would best suit their specific situation.
As a comparatively newer therapy in modern medicine, the fusion method has not been introduced without a measure of criticism. This is often the case with new methods of therapy, so patients should obtain proper information and discuss the treatment with their medical practitioner.
About the Author:
Neil P. Hines is passionate about providing intelligent, unbiased and highly relevant medical information for people dealing with a wide range of pain conditions and related orthopedic needs, including back pain, knee pain, joint replacements, sports medicine, lumbar fusion and more. If you are interested in learning more about lumbar fusion specialists PA he recommends that you visit his friends at St. Mary Medical Center.
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