Spinal instrumentation

There are many conditions that can make the spine or backbone need surgery. With many of these conditions the back may not be stable. If this is the case, it can make the condition worse. To make the back more stable, a surgery called a "fusion" or "spinal fusion" may need to be done. Instruments may then be put in the back to keep the back stable while it is healing. This is spinal instrumentation.

One condition that may require surgery is scoliosis in teenage girls. Scoliosis causes curving and twisting of the spine. When it is severe, a fusion may be done that requires spinal instrumentation to keep the spine in the corrected position.

Spinal instrumentation is primarily used to treat people with fractured backs or necks. Anyone with a degenerative disease of the spine may need this surgery. A degenerative disease is one that gets worse instead of better, such as arthritis, or disc disease.

There are many different kinds of spinal instrumentation. The surgeon will decide in each case which special instrumentation to use. Most of them work with rods on each side of the spine. The rods are attached to the bones in the spine with hooks. The spine is held in position with the instrumentation. This helps the healing process.

Some spinal instrumentation surgeries are done through the abdomen by inserting a laparoscope (a small lighted telescope) into several small cuts in the abdomen. After the surgery, the patient can usually go home in 5 to 7 days with postoperative instructions that include activity restrictions. Most people who have spinal instrumentation surgery do well and have only small scars as a reminder of their operation.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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