Where do you get the bone for spinal fusion?

People often ask 2 questions about spinal fusion:

1) Why do you need bone?

Bone is a key ingredient in spinal fusion.  Spinal fusion is done when the spine is weak and needs to be made stronger.  One vertebral body is connected to another vertebral body with metal screws and rods.  Bone is placed in-between the vertebrae so the vertebrae will grow together and form one solid bone.  If bone isn’t placed  and a solid spinal fusion is not obtained the screws and rods will eventually loosen and fall out or break.

2) Where do you get the bone from?

In the old days the bone was taken from your body.  Usually a piece of your hip would be cut out and then used as graft for the fusion.  Sometimes only the inside of the hip bone would be scraped out.  Today  donor bone or synthetic bone alternatives like hydroxyapatite are usually used.. Bone removed during the operation is rarely used.  This may still be done if the person last fusion surgery failed to fuse and now the surgery was been redone or if they are very high risk for the fusion failing such as smoker, sick or on chronic anti-inflammatory medications.

About Dr. Carl Spivak and Executive Spine Surgery

Dr Spivak is a neurosurgeon with expertise in minimally invasive spine surgery and is a pioneer in endoscopic spine surgery.  He routinely teaches workshops and courses for doctors throughout the United States for JOIMAX USA.  For more information on how Dr. Spivak can help you, please call 908-452-5612 or click schedule-an-appointment.