Can you mess up your spinal fusion?

Thankfully, most of the complications occur infrequently. The complications that can occur include those that would be associated with any type of surgery, such as infection, bleeding, and anesthetic complications. Another potential complication of spine fusion surgery in the low back includes any type of nerve damage.

Can fusion back surgery be undone?

Arrow pinpoints the area of a failed spinal fusion. Dr. Light says that total disc replacement using a device called the ProDisc Implant can be beneficial for revision, or “reversal” of a previous spinal fusion as well as an alternative to fusion in the first place.

Do you lose flexibility after spinal fusion?

Patients with a good range of motion and flexibility before surgery have fairly good range of motion afterward. Patients with poor range of motion to start, tend to have poor afterwards. This is an example of a very flexible patient of mine after an L5-S1, single level lumbar fusion.

What does a failed fusion feel like?

After any spine surgery, a percentage of patients may still experience pain. This is called failed back or failed fusion syndrome, which is characterized by intractable pain and an inability to return to normal activities. Surgery may be able to fix the condition but not eliminate the pain.

Do titanium rods in back break?

It’s an unfortunate reality that spinal hardware sometimes breaks. We should note that broken spine hardware is a rare occurrence. Most current hardware (rods, screws, plates, etc.) is made out of titanium or plastic composites that are extremely sturdy, but breakage does happen on occasion.

Do you wear a back brace after spinal fusion?

Depending on the surgery and your general condition, you may only have to wear your back brace for two weeks or until your first post-op visit. Lumbar fusion surgery patients will have to wear their brace for a longer period of time, up to three months, especially as they return to work and to normal activities.

Is spinal fusion considered a disability?

If you have suffered from a spinal disorder that has resulted in you undergoing spinal fusion, but you are still unable to work, you may be eligible to qualify for Social Security disability benefits.

What is the success rate of lumbar fusion?

For an MIS transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion, success rates range from 60 to 70%, with an 80% satisfaction rate for patients. For an MIS posterior lumbar interbody fusion procedure, patients experienced a 90 to 95% successful fusion rate.

What is the average settlement for a lumbar fusion workers comp?

between $150,000 and $200,000
The average settlement compensation payout for a back injury lawsuit involving spinal fusion surgery is between $150,000 and $200,000. One factor that limits the settlement value in spinal fusion auto tort cases is the limits of applicable insurance coverage.