Lumbar spinal fusion is a surgical procedure that causes affected or damaged vertebrae in the lower back to grow together as a single unit, by removing the cushioning discs between them.
This prevents spinal movement between the vertebrae and reduces pressure on the nerves, helping to reduce pain, stop the formation of bone spurs and potential nerve injury. It improves the stability of the spine.
During a spinal fusion procedure, the surgeon places bone or an artificial bone-like material between the two damaged spinal vertebrae. He may use surgical plates, rods, and screws to hold the fused vertebrae in place to allow them to heal into a single, firm unit.
Your neurosurgeon and his team will go over the details of the procedure. Ask all the questions you need to understand what will happen.
If you have diabetes, heart disease, or other medical problems, your regular doctor will need to monitor you throughout. Make all your doctors aware of any cold, flu, fever, flare-ups such as herpes breakouts, or other illnesses you may have, or develop in the weeks before the scheduled surgery.
The week before your surgery, the doctor may order additional blood tests and spinal imaging.
Medications, Alcohol & Tobacco Use
Before the procedure tell your doctor about all the medications you currently use, including over-the-counter medicines, herbs, and supplements. He will advise you and give you a list of which medications are safe to take right up to the day of the surgery. You should never stop taking any medicine without your doctor’s approval.
Two weeks before surgery, you will likely be asked to stop taking any medications that impair blood clotting such as NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories), including aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), and other similar drugs will be advised against.
If you are a smoker, your doctor will advise you to stop for at least two weeks before and two weeks after the surgery, as tobacco use can impair healing and recovery. Lengthening the period of tobacco abstinence or giving it up completely will help you recover better and faster and improve your general health and well-being.
Your doctor will advise you on your permitted consumption of alcohol.
Prepare Your Home
You may need to prepare your home for your recovery. Organize the room you will convalesce in and schedule any home help you might require.
Among the things you may need are:
- Raised toilet seats
- Stools or chairs to use in the shower
- Slip-on shoes
- Hand-holds or reachers
- Other household aids
The Day of Your Surgery
On the day of your surgery:
- Follow instructions about food and drink. You will be instructed to not drink or eat anything after midnight on the night before the procedure.
- Take your necessary, permitted medicines with a small sip of water. Make sure you have cleared this with your doctor.
- Bring all related documents and imaging scans with you to the hospital or surgery center. Be sure you arrive at the facility by the time your doctor’s office has indicated.
- Appoint a designated driver to bring you to the hospital and back home.
After your lumbar fusion surgery, be sure to follow all post-op instructions carefully, and contact your doctor if you experience side effects from the procedure.
At Front Range Spine and Neurosurgery, we believe that an informed patient is the best patient. We practice comprehensive, patient-centered care designed to help you achieve the best possible outcomes. If you’ve experienced a head injury or have neck, back, or leg pain, call us today at (303) 790-1800 or use our online form to request an appointment.
