Lumbar Spinal Fusion Surgery

About Lumbar Spinal Fusion Surgery

Lumbar spinal fusion surgery permanently joins two or more vertebrae in the lower back into a single, solid piece of bone, eliminating movement between them to relieve pain caused by instability, abnormal motion, or nerve compression. It is typically considered for conditions such as spondylolisthesis, where one vertebra slips forward over another, degenerative disc disease causing chronic instability, or after removal of a disc or bone for decompression when the resulting segment needs additional support. During surgery, the surgeon prepares the vertebrae, places a bone graft, either taken from the patient or from a donor source, or a bone-graft substitute, between them, and secures the segment with screws, rods, or cages to hold everything stable while new bone gradually grows across the gap over several months. The approach used, whether from the back, side, or front of the spine, depends on the specific condition being treated. Recovery involves a hospital stay of several days followed by a period of restricted activity and gradual return to normal movement, with physical therapy supporting long-term strength and stability. India's spine centres perform lumbar fusion using modern instrumentation and image guidance, supporting patients through both surgery and structured postoperative rehabilitation.