Spinal fusion (arthrodesis)
Surgery Overview
Spinal fusion (arthrodesis) is a surgical procedure that joins, or fuses, two or more vertebrae. Spinal fusion is major surgery, usually lasting several hours. There are different methods of spinal fusion.
- Bone is taken from the pelvic bone or obtained from a bone bank. The bone is used to make a bridge between adjacent vertebrae. This bone graft stimulates the growth of new bone.
- Metal implants are secured to the vertebrae to hold them together until new bone grows between them.
| Author: | Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH | Last Updated: February 6, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine
Robert B. Keller, MD - Orthopedics |
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