Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Lumbar fusion and Cervical Herniated Disc – Two most common problems


A lumbar fusion surgery for spine refers to a back surgery, which is performed for treating lower back pain triggering degenerative disc disease. It is often called spine fusion as the surgery involves placement of small morsels of bone either along the back of the spine or in the front of the spine so that bone grows together and fuses that area of the spine.  The fusion is designed for eliminating motion in that particular fused segment of the spine, thus eliminating or decreasing the back pain which triggers because of motion.

It is performed for treating degenerative disc disease. It is important for you to know that the spine is not actually joined at the time surgery is performed. In fact, it is the surgery which creates the conditions in the spine to fuse together and fusion is a procedure that will happen over a period of three to six months, and in some cases it might take 18 months too, following the lumbar fusion surgery.


It is diagnosed when the inner core of a disc located in the neck leaks or hermits out of the disc, and pressed on the adjacent nerve root. This condition is prevalent among people between 30 and 50 years of age group. While this condition may occur from some type of neck injury or trauma, the symptoms start spontaneously.

The arm pain due to cervical herniated disc occurs because the herniated disc material presses or pinches on a cervical nerve triggering pain to radiate along the nerve right down the arm. Besides arm pain, tingling and numbness can be present down the arm right into the fingertips.  Person suffering from this condition might experience muscle weakness as well.


Either of these conditions needs proper and immediate medical attention. Dr. Erik Bendiks is one of the leading and renowned orthopedic surgeons based in Atlanta. He has been treating spine, neck and back problems for more than a decade now. Schedule an appointment with him to get started with the effective treatment.   

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