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Spinal Fusion

Manhattan Orthopedics

Orthopedic Surgeons located in Midtown Manhattan, New York, Astoria, & Brooklyn, NY

If you choose a spinal fusion surgery as an effective solution to improve spinal stability, reduce pain, or correct deformities, rest assured you’re in safe and experienced hands with board-certified orthopedic surgeon and spine surgery specialist Vikas V. Varma, MD. At Manhattan Orthopedics, located in Midtown Manhattan, Brooklyn and Astoria, New York. Dr. Varma can help you improve your quality of life with effective solutions like spinal fusion. Dr. Varma offers minimally invasive techniques and advanced technology for the procedure. Call our office today or schedule your consultation online.

Spinal Fusion Q & A

What is spinal fusion?

Spinal fusion is a surgical procedure that permanently connects two or more vertebrae in your spine, effectively eliminating motion between them.

During spinal fusion, Dr. Varma places bone or bonelike material within the space between two spinal vertebrae. He uses metal plates, screws, and rods to hold your vertebrae together so they can heal into one solid unit.

Why would I choose spinal fusion?

Spinal fusion corrects deformities, reduces pain, and improves stability. Dr. Varma might recommend a spinal fusion to treat:

  • Spine deformities, such as scoliosis 
  • Spinal instability or weakness 
  • Herniated disk 

Dr. Varma helps you determine if spinal fusion is right for you.

What does spinal fusion involve?

Spinal fusion is usually performed under anesthesia. The specific technique Dr. Varma uses depends on certain factors, such as the location of your vertebrae that’s being fused.

Dr. Varma makes an incision in one of a few locations to get access to the vertebrae being fused, including your back or neck directly over your spine. 

The next step is preparing the bone graft. The bone graft comes from a bone bank or from your own body, typically from your pelvis. If Dr. Varma uses your own bone, he makes an incision above your pelvic bone, removes a small portion of it, and closes the incision.

Dr. Varma places the bone graft material between your vertebrae to fuse your vertebrae together permanently. He uses metal plates, rods, or screws to help hold your vertebrae together while the bone graft heals.

In some cases, instead of bone grafts, Dr. Varma uses a synthetic substance to help promote bone growth and accelerate the fusion of the vertebrae.

Minimally invasive procedures

Dr. Varma provides a variety of minimally invasive spinal fusion options and techniques, including the da Vinci® robot-assisted surgical system. 

Dr. Varma also specializes in lateral lumbar interbody fusion (XLIF), oblique lateral interbody fusion (OLIF), and minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF). 

These procedures are performed in different ways. For example, XLIF is typically performed through your side to avoid the major muscles of your back.

Dr. Varma is truly a pioneer in his field, developing new surgical techniques and providing surgeon education and national speaking presentations. For quality, attentive care, look no further than Dr. Varma and call or click to schedule an appointment online today.a

This website and content contained herein (including articles, blogs, images, text, graphics, videos, etc.) is not designed to, and does not, provide medical advice. It is NOT intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment but is for general informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health, medical condition or treatment options. Never rely on information in this website in place of seeking medical advice and treatment. Never disregard or delay seeking medical advice because of something you may have read. If you think you may have a medical emergency you should seek immediate medical treatment. The practice does not endorse any specific tests, products, procedures, opinions or other information that may be mentioned in this website.

 

 


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