Thoracic and Lumbar Fusion Surgery

MedStar Health offers thoracic and lumbar spinal fusion at locations throughout the Washington, D.C., region. Our experienced spine surgeons offer you the comprehensive care you need for an effective procedure and a successful recovery. All of our spine surgeons received fellowship training in spinal surgery and focus exclusively on caring for spinal conditions.

What is thoracic and lumbar fusion?

This advanced surgical procedure is performed to repair damage to the spine. During the procedure, a surgeon joins together, or fuses, two or more of the bones that make up your spinal cord, known as vertebrae. The surgery requires bone grafting to attach the two bones together, and can be done in the lower (lumbar) or upper (thoracic) spine.

What does thoracic and lumbar fusion involve?

During the procedure, your surgeon will remove any damaged portions of the spine and replace them with healthy bone, taken either from your pelvic bone or a bone bank. Over time, the vertebrae will fuse together to form one bone. Fusion surgery takes a couple of hours to complete, depending on the extent of the spinal damage.

Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion

During this surgery, the damaged disk is then removed and an interbody device, packed with bone graft material, is inserted between the vertebrae.

What does recovery involve?

During recovery from surgery, your doctor may recommend wearing a back brace to keep your spine aligned and supported while the bones fuse. In later stages of recovery, your doctor may recommend physical therapy and exercise therapy.