The Pros and Cons of Spinal Fusion Surgery

What is spinal fusion surgery? Essentially it's the binding of your vertebrae with titanium, steel screws and 2 metal rods which help hold grafted bone into place. This is a very major surgery as the screws are placed in the area surrounding your spinal cord. In order to ensure there is no paralysis, they implement 'traction' devices (attached to your femur and your skull) which stretch you out so that your spinal cord is taught.

Naturally, when deciding whether or not to have surgery, there are many factors to take into account. I believe that the most important consideration is how your health will be affected with or without having surgery. Since I'm electing to have my spine fused together, I thought I'd share my personal pros and cons list that helped ME make this important decision (based on information from a couple of my surgeons).

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Pros:

1. When you're younger you'll generally recover quicker from surgery, as you lose less blood and heal quicker.

2. The younger you are, the larger the impact they can make on your spinal curvature. If I'm going to have this surgery, I want the best results possible.

3. Scoliosis surgery will most likely improve your quality of life, as without surgery, I could experience severe back pain or other major medical complications later in life.

4. After having surgery, my Scoliosis will not progress (the potential of having my vital organs compressed will significantly decrease), and my rib hump (see previous post) will be less pronounced.

5. In my case, I can just "get it over with" and then move on with the rest of my life never having to worry about my Scoliosis worsening again.

6. Due to my spine being straightened, I will gain a few inches in height.

7. I'll have nearly perfect posture after the surgery.

8. My appearance will be more symmetrical after my surgery (my shoulders and hips will be the same height).

9. If I get pregnant, I will be able to carry my baby to full term without back-related complications (without the surgery I would most likely be on bed-rest for much of the pregnancy because the weight of the baby would compress my spine).

Cons:

1. Anytime you receive anesthesia or undergo surgery there are significant risks.

2. There will be a lot of pain and rehabilitation times are lengthy.

3. Potential risks for infection in the incision. In the case of spinal fusion (since it's typically a larger incision) there is a greater risk for infection due to the increased area that was open.

4. I won't be able to bend where the spine is fused.

5. In the future if I were to have children, I could not receive an epidural during labour, BUT I could still receive other pain management medications.

6. I'll have a large scar on my back.

This blog is my own personal experience and journey with Scoliosis. It is not a medical blog, and if anyone has concerns about their own health, they should see a physician.