Do you need a spinal fusion?

You may not need a spinal fusion … If you have spinal stenosis or disk herniation causing pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots, you may not need a spinal fusion. In most cases the pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots can be removed without a fusion. However, in cases of gross spinal instability, a spinal fusion may be necessary.

If you have been told that you need a spinal fusion and / or instrumentation, You should consider a second opinion to see if the fusion is necessary. Many times when I see a patient for a second opinion, we find out that there are less invasive micro-decompression type surgical procedures or disk replacement surgical procedures available that can produce even better outcomes without the need for a fusion.