Bone fusion is a type of spinal surgery that is effective at relieving pain and creating stability in the back. According to the National Institute of Health, approximately 2.2 million patients benefit from bone grafts annually. Let’s take a look at how bone grafting impacts spinal surgeries below.
Who Benefits From This Type of Procedure?
When bone grafting is used as part of spinal surgery, it can offer hope and healing to people who previously thought they’d live in pain. Those who suffer from a spinal injury, degenerative disease, or other conditions can have bone grafting done to create the strong healthy spine they need to live a normal life.
What Is Recovery Like Following a Bone Graft?
Bone fusion is an intricate process that relies heavily on the biology of the patient’s body. The initial phase of the bone graft takes about one week to a month; during this time, the patient will be restricted in which activities they’ll be able to participate for up to six months, per Spine-Health. It will take several months up to a year for solid bone to completely heal.
Who Should Consider Bone Grafts?
If you are already a patient in a spinal clinic or working with a doctor to reduce back or neck pain, you’ll want to talk with your doctor about the possibility of using bone grafting and spinal fusion for your symptoms. Experienced medical professionals will determine if you’re a good candidate for this type of procedure.
How Can Patients Improve Their Recovery Time?
There are steps that patients can take to improve the recovery and healing process of their bone graft. Participating in monitored load-bearing exercises will stimulate the growth and strengthening of the bone. This should be done under the guidance of a physical therapist. It’s also important that patients aren’t doing things that might negatively affect their healing.
Patients can improve their chances of successful bone fusion by avoiding smoking, as nicotine will cause imbalances in the body’s metabolism and decrease bone density. This can drastically decrease the success rate of the entire surgery.
SurGenTec provides the advanced technology used in bone grafting procedures in surgical centers across the United States. If you’d like to learn more about such procedures, contact us today.