Spinal fusion

The Mayo Clinic Diet Book, learn more

Free

E-newsletter

Subscribe to Housecall

Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics.

Sign up now

Risks

By Mayo Clinic staff

Spinal fusion is generally a safe procedure. But as with any surgery, spinal fusion carries the potential risk of complications.

Potential complications include:

  • Infection
  • Poor wound healing
  • Bleeding
  • Blood clots
  • Injury to blood vessels or nerves in and around the spine
  • Pain at the site from which the bone graft is taken

Beyond the immediate risks of the procedure, spinal fusion surgery changes how your spine works by shifting stress from the fused vertebrae to adjacent areas of your spine. This added stress may accelerate the process of wear and tear in the vertebral joints on either side of the fusion, causing further damage and possibly chronic pain.

How you prepare Why it's done
References
  1. Spinal fusion. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://www.orthoinfo.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00348. Accessed Aug. 22, 2012.
  2. Chou R. Subacute and chronic low-back pain: Surgical treatment. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Aug. 22, 2012.
  3. Firestein GS, et al. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/208746819-6/0/1807/0.html. Accessed Aug. 23, 2012.
  4. Canale ST, et al. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/208746819-4/0/1584/0.html. Accessed Aug. 23, 2012.
  5. Barbara Woodward Lips Patient Education Center. Lumbar interbody fusion. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2011.
  6. Barbara Woodward Lips Patient Education Center. Surgery for your cervical spine. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2011.
  7. AskMayoExpert. Cervical spine surgery. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2012.
  8. AskMayoExpert. Bone morphogenetic proteins. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2011.
  9. Wheeler SG, et al. Approach to the diagnosis and evaluation of low back pain in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Aug. 23, 2012.
MY01235 Oct. 25, 2012

© 1998-2013 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

  • Reprints
  • Print

  • Share on:

  • Email

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger