Everyone probably remembers being told to sit up straight. Posture is something that is both medically important and also socially regulated. However, for those suffering from spinal disorders, poor posture may be the result of something more serious than a bad attitude or a broken chair. Through multilevel spinal fusion, there is now new hope for people who have these disorders.
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 term multilevel merely refers to how many vertebrae get joined in the procedure. A single connection between two vertebrae is known as single level. Multi means that there is more than one join in the procedure. The spaces between the vertebrae are called levels, hence the name of the procedure. A procedure involving three or more levels is rare.
This treatment is a relatively new technique, and the placement of the screws requires advanced skill to be entirely effective. There are also different materials available for the synthetic plates used in the interbody process.
As with practically any new treatment procedure, there is some controversy around the fusion approach, so it is important to have the right information.
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 term multilevel merely refers to how many vertebrae get joined in the procedure. A single connection between two vertebrae is known as single level. Multi means that there is more than one join in the procedure. The spaces between the vertebrae are called levels, hence the name of the procedure. A procedure involving three or more levels is rare.
This treatment is a relatively new technique, and the placement of the screws requires advanced skill to be entirely effective. There are also different materials available for the synthetic plates used in the interbody process.
As with practically any new treatment procedure, there is some controversy around the fusion approach, so it is important to have the right information.
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 specialists PA he recommends that you visit his friends at St. Mary Medical Center.
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