What is Lumbar Fusion?
Lumbar fusion is a type of spinal fusion surgery in which two or more bones in the lower back are fused together. It is usually performed on patients who have chronic low back pain resulting from an injury or from degenerative changes in the spine such as arthritis. Lumbar fusion is sometimes used to correct scoliosis as well. It is usually done after more conservative approaches, such as physical therapy and bracing, have failed to alleviate low back pain. Low back pain is one of the most common medical complaints. It can be caused by injuries sustained in auto accidents or sports, misalignment of spinal bones because of scoliosis, or normal changes in the spine resulting from aging. The lumbar spine consists of the five largest bones in the spinal column, located at the lower, inward-curving part of the back and the top of the hips. When the vertebrae in this area become compressed or unstable, they can press on the surrounding spinal nerves, causing low back pain as well as numbness
