The term “Fusion” means healing with bone. When you break a leg bone, it heals by fusing. When the spine fuses, it heals with bone as well. Bone needs stability to heal or ‘fuse.’ This is why we put a broken leg in a cast or a metal rod down the middle of the bone. Spine bones need stability to grow bone and fuse as well. In the old days, patients were left in bed for months or actually put in back casts! Now, with modern technology, we are able to put bracing on the inside with surgery and have patients wear removable braces on the outside to promote bone healing and spine fusion.
If there is instability or deformity in the spine, healing with bone, or fusion is needed.
Examples:
Deformity of the spine caused by scoliosis- The abnormal curvature is corrected and held in place by titanium rods until the spine grows bone and fuses in this position. Occasionally these rods are removed, but only if they are causing discomfort.
Arthritis: when the joints of the spine wear out from arthritis, they can become incompetent and cause slipping of the spine. The body tries to heal this arthritis by growing more bone in an attempt to fuse itself. These spurs can crowd the nerves and cause nerve pain.
Spondylolisthesis is the term used for slipping of the spine. When we remove the bone spurs from the pinched nerves, we have to put bracing in to support the spine so the spine can fuse in that position. The spine tries to heal itself by growing bone!
This is the same type of arthritis that affects the hips or the knees causing total joint replacement. Unfortunately, we do not have spine replacement surgery!
Motion preservation is always the goal of spine care whenever possible.
Artificial disc replacement (ADR) is a minimally invasive alternative that removes the damaged disc and replaces it with an artificial implant designed to mimic the function of a healthy disc. This preserves the motion of the spine while treating pain and lowering the risk of ASD post-procedure.
Studies have shown that the rate of spinal fusion procedures has increased around the world,
Spinal fusion surgery has a high overall success rate! With modern technology, there is a very high rate of fusion. There are factors that can delay fusion or result in a non union- smoking, diabetes, and obesity are the top culprits.
Complications of spinal fusion are very rare. They are higher in patients who smoke, have diabetes or are obese. If it is determined that a patient has a delayed union, a bone stimulator machine is often ordered to promote healing.
Adjacent segment disease (ASD): After a spinal fusion, patients have approximately a 4% per year risk of developing degeneration at an adjacent level. This is thought to occur in part due to the increased stress on those segments from the loss of motion at the fused joint. Treatment may become necessary to address the new level issues.
Chronic pain: Spinal fusion can be an option to treat chronic back pain that hasn’t responded to other treatments. However, it is possible for chronic pain to fail to improve or even get worse, or for new pain to develop. The key is the right diagnosis. Most people over age 40 will have degenerative changes on their spine x-rays, however very few of these people have significant back pain. Thorough evaluation and review of x-rays and MRIs is important to treat the pain generator.
Reduced mobility: In a successful one level spinal fusion, there is minimal clinical motion loss. Most people feel so much better, they are not as restricted from muscle spasms!
Chronic pain wears on the emotional health. Fear of surgery or fear of potential side effects can often delay needed surgery. I always advise patients to ‘be educated and nervous, not terrified.’ No one wants surgery. The risk versus benefit discussion is critical. Only patients know how they feel and how much their lives are affected.
Physical therapy, medication, weight loss, pool exercise, back braces, and spinal injections are always used to get people in the “happy zone!” If all of these non-operative tools are not enough, then we consider what surgical options are available.
If your chronic back pain isn’t responding to the treatments you’ve tried, and you’re worried that spinal fusion may be next, schedule an evaluation with Southern California’s leading expert- Dr. Tiffany Rogers, M.D.
Dr. Rogers is a board-certified orthopedic physician specializing in spine care. She earned a master’s degree in physical therapy before attending medical school and has undergone treatment for her own spine issues she sustained as a Division 1 college athlete.
When specific non operative management is not enough, Dr. Rogers has the full range of treatment options available including artificial disc replacement procedures. To find the least invasive means to effectively treat pain and restore your quality of life, contact us here today.
Mike was barely able to walk. I did his surgery and now he’s traveling the world with his wife! That pic is from Africa, hiked up to see mountain gorillas…
I feel very blessed to have walked in to the office for a consultation with Dr Rogers. On that day upon review of my MRI report she determined that I needed emergency surgery due to extremely compressed spinal cord at C3/4. Now I knew it was compressed for some time but I avoided going to the surgeon because I was afraid to have surgery. She calmly explained the alternatives to not having the surgery and it was a no brainer. My symptoms had gotten really bad and I knew she was right. I trusted her judgement and I am so happy that I had the surgery. Almost immediately my symptoms improved!! All of the nurses and other doctors at Torrance Memorial praised her work also and she was very well respected. I would recommend Dr Rogers because not only was my surgery a success but she also showed great compassion for me because I was very sad to be in the hospital during the Holidays. To me this shows she cares about healing the whole person.
I have Dr Rogers to thank for the rest of my life. At 12 I was told by a specialist that I was born with a deformity in my spine which was causing slight scoliosis. At 20, I started experiencing back pain, constantly feeling the need to crack my back for some relief, tossing and turning all hours of the night, seeking massages. As I started to get older, the pain only increased. By 23, my back began to “lock” on me. I would bend over or lean forward and my nerves would pitch, causing me to not be able to move for a few seconds. At first I had kaiser insurance, the “spinal specialist” if you can even call her that said there was no possible surgery to fix my spine and back pain. She told me PT and epidural spinal injections were the answer….. (wrong, very wrong!) I got this run around with kaiser for 2 years!!!!
By 25, I was BEYOND frustrated and in pain, so my (now) husband put me on his insurance, and I was able to find Dr Rogers. She requested an MRI and X-rays, and saw what was wrong with my spine and what needed to be done. I needed a spinal fusion and decompression. She even referred me to a spinal specialist in LA, to get a second recommendation, and he agreed with everything she wanted to do for my surgery. I had full trust in Dr Rogers. She was always kind, always informative, and reassured me I was going to be alright. As a fellow athlete, she understood what I was sacrificing for this surgery. My love for playing soccer would have to come to an end post surgery due to the risk of blowing out another level of my spine. She was compassionate and again gave me reassurance I would eventually be pain free and be able to carry my own children which was the most important to me.
I underwent my lumbar spinal surgery with a spinal fusion and decompression August 2016. The pain and recovery I experienced post surgery was the most pain I’ve ever felt. Pain meds helped, but you really have to be dedicated to taking the vitamins Dr Roger recommends, and doing the amazing PT she prescribed. The PT was Pilates based, and it seriously did my recovery wonders.
By March 2017, I was ready to move to another state and went in for one last check up with Dr Rogers. She did another X-ray, and told me that my fusion looked so good and healthy , that I could start playing soccer again. Not competitively, but recreationally, and now I am nearly 2 years post spinal surgery, playing on 2 soccer teams, active in the gym, and my husband and I are trying to start a family.
I still experience soreness in my lower spine if I lift too heavy of objects the wrong way or work out too hard, but that is to be expected. I have been off any type of medication spine related for over a year now, and it’s nothing a little ice won’t cure. All in all I have a lot to thank Dr Rogers for. She saved my back.
Thank you so much Dr Rogers!!!!
Dr Rogers has been taking care of my back issues for years. It came to a point that I did need a major surgery. A fusion. I am so glad it was done. Just wished I’d done it earlier. My leg pain is gone, the back spasms are gone , feeling like my ribs were stabbing me is also gone and though I’m still healing I feel so much better. I am so grateful to Dr Rogers !! I would highly recommend her for spine issues. Forever thankful!! The staff is professional and friendly also.
Update!!
It’s been a year and a half since my back surgery with Dr Rogers and I’m doing great!! Thank you again Dr Rogers!!
There are two major factors in my thinking a doctors office is 5 stars… #1 is the office and staff itself… #2 is the moment you meet the doctor and how they present themselves to you. Being someone that’s had multiple surgeries, dealt with dozens of doctors and facilities… if these two are in line when you go on your first visit, you know the experience and the healing to come will be worth it.
I have to say, the offices, ease of getting there, parking… were amazing… the staff at the front desk (and on the phone for that matter) were some of the most engaging, informative and easy to deal with that I’ve ever encountered. They made it EASY for me to check in, etc… I was taken in at the exact time of my appointment (I did listen and get there 15 minutes early) and was escorted through, had X-rays and waited for Dr. Rogers…
The moment I met Dr. Rogers, I had faith that I was in the right hands. Her eye contact, the way she shook my hand, the way she listened… the deep understanding she immediately had for my symptoms and the journey I’ve been on for the last 10 years after of my spine surgery in New York… made me incredibly calm and gave me such peace.
I see her again next week, after a battery of tests… but I look forward to finding answers with this healing doctor and her colleagues and staff…
xoxox
I am writing this review on behalf of Dr. Rogers patient, Yolanda Phelps.
Dr.Rogers performed an anterior cervical disectomy and cervical fusion on me last Tuesday. I am home now and my recovery is going great. Dr. Tiffany Rogers was so caring, thorough, and made me feel so comfortable during this difficult procedure. She took very good care of me and I am so thankful for her help.
Also her PA Jeff was so kind and helpful as well. Thank you so much you two for everything!!
PS don’t waste time going through pain go to dr. Tiffany Rogers. She does all the bells and whistles!!
Dr. Rogers is Exceptional. I am a patient of hers. I was in extreme pain Christmas week. Doctor Rogers ordered an MRI. Diagnosis was dislocated shoulder. I called her office 12/27/18. Doctor called back. She asked if I could be in her office immediately. I saw her within 1/2 hour. She injected me with Cortisone.What a God given gift!
Dr. Rogers is obsessed with the ability to heal. She went above and beyond to releive my pain.
Thank you Dr. Rogers.
I am a 72 year old female who suffered cervical disc herniation at multiple levels, resulting in severe pain in my neck and right arm. Dr. Rogers performed an Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion. After surgery my pain was GONE! I was in the hospital for two days and received excellent care. I have had multiple surgeries during my lifetime but this was by far the best experience and I believe a direct result of Dr. Rogers’ experience and the care she has for her patients.
I can’t express the feelings of gratitude for Dr. Rogers and her team. About 7 months ago I started having pain in my right neck, shoulder, arm all the way to my feet. The pain worsened almost daily. Had a epidural done in the 3rd month felt good for 3 days and wham the pain, weakness was back worse than before. I went back to epidural doctor and he told me there was nothing more he could do at least for 3 months. The pain was getting so bad, l cried, became very irritable and hopeless. I started physical therapy and it seem to adjutant my worst spots. I felt hopeless and knew I couldn’t take much-more. So I made an appt with Dr. Rogers. I told her the pain had increased to a point I couldn’t stand one more day in this pain. I’m not a wimp I can endure a lot but I had come to end of pain tolerance. She showed me my xrays and I believe my right she said let’s do this. I was admitted to Torrance Memorial Tuesday around 8:30 AM.hours later when I woke up n my room, there was absolutely no pain. Dr. Rogers just happen to walk in my room. I was really medicated I grabbed her and said there’s no more pain. I owe everything to her. I love her, respect her
