Patient Information Resources


Long Island Spine Specialists, P.C.
763 Larkfield Road
2nd Floor
Commack, NY 11725
Ph: (631) 462-2225
Fax: (631) 462-2240






Child Orthopedics
General
Pain Management
Spine - Cervical
Spine - General
Spine - Lumbar
Spine - Thoracic

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I had a spinal fusion at L34 for a slipped vertebra. The X-ray shows it didn't take. The doctor says I have a "pseudofusion." Will I have to have the surgery again?

It's a little difficult to answer this question directly without more information. You'll probably want to ask your surgeon this question.

If you have a condition called spondylolisthesis, then one vertebra in the lumbar spine has slipped forward over another. This is usually given a grade from one to four to indicate how far it's slipped forward.

Surgery to remove pressure from the spinal cord and to stabilize the spine is called a decompression with fusion. There are different ways to do the fusion. Sometimes the surgeon places a bone graft just along the back or posterior spine. Fusion may take place from both the front (anterior) and back. And the surgeon may use plates and screws to help hold everything together until the fusion is solid.

If the fusion isn't solid then there may still be some motion at that segment. This is called a pseudoarthrosis. It means "like a joint". Instead of a solid, strong bony fusion there is a fibrous union that still allows some motion.

Studies show that a fibrous union may still give the spine enough stability to prevent the vertebra from slipping. Pseudoarthrosis doesn't always affect the outcome negatively.

Your surgeon may want to use a "wait-and-see" approach. Further surgery may be needed but it's not a given. Signs and symptoms of serious neurologic injury would point to the need for immediate surgery. This could include loss of bowel or bladder control or paralysis of the legs.


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