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  • Disks Replaced?

    Stupid question maybe, but are disks replaced in fusion surgery, in the portion of the spine that is fused?

  • #2
    Originally posted by Tina_R View Post
    are disks replaced in fusion surgery, in the portion of the spine that is fused?
    Some are and some are not.

    I have 5 levels of 13mm PEEK spacers that were inserted after my discectomies. This was done from the front surgery (ALIF) L1-Sacrum

    The rest are left and held in place by the hardware until they eventually solidify and fuse together.

    I had severe DDD in my lumbar spine. Open ALIF was used to get in to remove the discs, do a partial corpectomy (endplate removal) and clear out all the disc material.

    The spacers have pockets or cavities in them, and BMP was used in these pockets to speed up the fusion process. The pockets prevent migration or leakage of BMP upon insertion.

    Usually discetomies are done in the lumbar spine if the surgeon chooses. On younger patients, they dont do this if the discs are in good shape. Discetomies can also be done from the back or side with a PLIF, TLIF or other angle or method of attack.

    Hope this helps.

    Ed
    49 yr old male, now 63, the new 64...
    Pre surgery curves T70,L70
    ALIF/PSA T2-Pelvis 01/29/08, 01/31/08 7" pelvic anchors BMP
    Dr Brett Menmuir St Marys Hospital Reno,Nevada

    Bending and twisting pics after full fusion
    http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...on.&highlight=

    My x-rays
    http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...2&d=1228779214

    http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...3&d=1228779258

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