{"id":522,"date":"2023-01-09T13:11:00","date_gmt":"2023-01-09T13:11:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/davidchangspine.com\/?p=522"},"modified":"2023-09-19T15:09:19","modified_gmt":"2023-09-19T15:09:19","slug":"who-benefits-from-spinal-fusion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/davidchangspine.com\/who-benefits-from-spinal-fusion\/","title":{"rendered":"Who Benefits From Spinal Fusion?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Every year in the United States, hundreds of thousands<\/a> of spinal fusion surgeries are performed, helping women and men relieve chronic back pain and related symptoms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But although fusion surgery can be very effective for some people, it\u2019s not the best choice for every type or cause of back pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

David Chang, MD-PhD, DABNS<\/a>, uses advanced spinal fusion surgery<\/a> techniques, including minimally invasive techniques associated with less tissue damage and faster healing. Here\u2019s how to tell if spinal fusion might be a good choice for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The basics of spinal fusion surgery<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Spinal fusion surgery does just what its name implies: It fuses two (or sometimes three) spine bones (vertebrae) together to prevent painful or abnormal movement in the joint separating the bones. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the surgery, Dr. Chang makes an incision over the vertebrae causing your pain. After moving aside the soft tissues surrounding your spine, he removes damaged tissue or disc material, then inserts a graft or special surgical scaffold to join the two vertebrae.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over time, new bone tissue grows, joining the vertebrae or fusing them into one unit. Fusion prevents movement between the bones, as well as the painful symptoms it can cause. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Depending on your needs, Dr. Chang can perform fusion in one area of your spine or in multiple areas for more complex issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Chang uses minimally invasive techniques for spinal fusion surgery for faster recovery afterward. Physical therapy during the weeks following your surgery helps restore strength and mobility in the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ideal candidates for spinal fusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since the goal of spinal fusion is to prevent movement between two or more vertebrae, patients who reap its benefits are those with pain from abnormal friction in the spine, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n