What is lumbar decompression and fusion surgery?
Posterior lumbar decompression and fusion (PLDF) is a surgical procedure that aims to relieve pain, and pressure on the spinal cord and the nerves in the lower back. The lower back is made up of the lumbar spine, where the spine curves inward toward the abdomen. It consists of the five vertebrae, L1-L5.
Is spinal Decompression the same as fusion?
The goals of surgical treatment are to alleviate neural compression (decompression) and, in selected patients with a deformity or instability, to stabilize the spine (fusion), so as to prevent further spinal compression and recurrent symptoms.
What is the difference between fusion and decompression?
This difference may be due to the level of surgical invasiveness; decompression only requires a small incision and exposure to the lamina, whereas posterolateral fusion requires a larger skin incision and exposures to the lamina, facet joints, transverse processes, and intertransverse spaces.
How long does lumbar decompression surgery take?
Lumbar decompression is usually carried out under general anaesthetic, which means you’ll be unconscious during the procedure and won’t feel any pain as it’s carried out. The whole operation usually takes at least an hour, but may take much longer, depending on the complexity of the procedure.
How long does it take to walk after spinal fusion?
You’ll be encouraged to walk and move around the day after surgery and it’s likely you’ll be discharged 1 to 4 days afterwards. It will take about 4 to 6 weeks for you to reach your expected level of mobility and function (this will depend on the severity of your condition and symptoms before the operation).
What is the difference between a laminectomy and a lumbar fusion?
Spinal fusion may be done at the same time as decompressive laminectomy. In general, fusion is only done if an area of the spine is unstable, which means the bones of the spine (vertebrae) move too much or do not move in a normal way.