Posture is something that sometimes elicits remarks of reprimand or correction. However, for some people, poor posture is not a matter of laziness or teenage rebellion. Serious spine disorders need proper medical treatment, and multilevel spinal fusion may be of use in such cases as a modern alternative to pain management or extensive physiotherapy.
The technique entails artificially getting two or more vertebrae to merge permanently. These are the separate bones in the spinal column, which interlock to protect and stabilise the nervous tissue that passes through them. They are kept apart by cartilage discs. The backbone extends from the head (the cervical region), behind the chest (thoracic region) down to the pelvis (lumbar region). A disorder of or injury to the vertebral column therefore affects movement and posture.
Disorders affecting the spine include kyphosis and scoliosis, both of which are characterized by a distinctive incorrect posture. Other issues may also arise, such as a fractured vertebra or a slipped disc (where the cartilage disc moves out of position). In older people, the cartilage may deteriorate to the extent that vertebrae make contact, which is dangerous. All these conditions are treatable using vertebral fusion, as is chronic back pain.
The basic premise of the treatment, namely that two adjacent vertebrae are connected by bone tissue, relies on the natural ability of bones to merge with one another. There are two techniques used to induce merging between the vertebrae. The posterolateral option entails placing a bone graft between the transverse arms or processes protruding from the spine, using screws. During the interbody alternative, the cartilage disc, or what remains of it, is entirely removed and a synthetic plate is inserted between the vertebrae so that they grow together at their edges. The use of both techniques at the same time is known as 360-degree treatment.
The multi prefix in the name of the treatment describes the degree to which the spine is affected by it. The interval between two individual vertebrae is called a level, so a single level procedure only involves one level or space, while multi refers to more. It is not usual for there to be more than two levels involved by the procedure.
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.
This type of spine therapy is a relatively recent development and has attracted not insubstantial criticism. New medical methods often suffer opposition, and take time to become more universally established, so patients should try to make an educated and balanced decision in deciding to undergo them.
The technique entails artificially getting two or more vertebrae to merge permanently. These are the separate bones in the spinal column, which interlock to protect and stabilise the nervous tissue that passes through them. They are kept apart by cartilage discs. The backbone extends from the head (the cervical region), behind the chest (thoracic region) down to the pelvis (lumbar region). A disorder of or injury to the vertebral column therefore affects movement and posture.
Disorders affecting the spine include kyphosis and scoliosis, both of which are characterized by a distinctive incorrect posture. Other issues may also arise, such as a fractured vertebra or a slipped disc (where the cartilage disc moves out of position). In older people, the cartilage may deteriorate to the extent that vertebrae make contact, which is dangerous. All these conditions are treatable using vertebral fusion, as is chronic back pain.
The basic premise of the treatment, namely that two adjacent vertebrae are connected by bone tissue, relies on the natural ability of bones to merge with one another. There are two techniques used to induce merging between the vertebrae. The posterolateral option entails placing a bone graft between the transverse arms or processes protruding from the spine, using screws. During the interbody alternative, the cartilage disc, or what remains of it, is entirely removed and a synthetic plate is inserted between the vertebrae so that they grow together at their edges. The use of both techniques at the same time is known as 360-degree treatment.
The multi prefix in the name of the treatment describes the degree to which the spine is affected by it. The interval between two individual vertebrae is called a level, so a single level procedure only involves one level or space, while multi refers to more. It is not usual for there to be more than two levels involved by the procedure.
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.
This type of spine therapy is a relatively recent development and has attracted not insubstantial criticism. New medical methods often suffer opposition, and take time to become more universally established, so patients should try to make an educated and balanced decision in deciding to undergo them.
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 doctors Bucks County he recommends that you visit his friends at St. Mary Medical Center.
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