Our Summary

This research paper examines how the use of spinal fusion surgery, a procedure that joins two or more vertebrae together, is spread across different groups who pay for health services in the United States. The study analyzed data from 1997 to 2014 and found that over 5.7 million patients had spinal fusion surgery during this period. The majority of these surgeries were covered by private insurance (50.3%), followed by Medicare (29.9%), Medicaid (6.0%), and the smallest group were those without insurance (1.6%). The study also found that the use of spinal fusion surgery increased within each payment group over this time period. However, the increase was not the same across all groups – it was highest among patients with private insurance and lowest among those without insurance. This suggests that there may be differences in access to this surgery depending on the type of health coverage a patient has. More research is needed to understand why these differences exist.

FAQs

  1. How many patients had spinal fusion surgery from 1997 to 2014 according to the study?
  2. What were the differences in access to spinal fusion surgery across different health coverage groups?
  3. Which group had the highest increase in the use of spinal fusion surgery over the study period?

Doctor’s Tip

A doctor might tell a patient considering spinal fusion surgery to carefully weigh the risks and benefits of the procedure, as well as explore alternative treatments such as physical therapy or medication. They may also advise the patient to follow a healthy lifestyle, including maintaining a healthy weight and staying active, to support the healing process after surgery. Additionally, it is important for the patient to follow their doctor’s post-operative instructions closely and attend all follow-up appointments to ensure a successful recovery.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended spinal fusion surgery include:

  1. Patients with degenerative disc disease: Spinal fusion surgery is often recommended for patients with degenerative disc disease, a condition where the discs between the vertebrae in the spine deteriorate over time, causing pain and discomfort.

  2. Patients with spinal stenosis: Spinal fusion surgery may be recommended for patients with spinal stenosis, a condition where the spinal canal narrows and puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerves, leading to pain, numbness, and weakness.

  3. Patients with spondylolisthesis: Spinal fusion surgery is often recommended for patients with spondylolisthesis, a condition where one vertebra slips forward over the one below it, causing pain, instability, and nerve compression.

  4. Patients with spinal fractures: Spinal fusion surgery may be recommended for patients with spinal fractures, especially if the fracture is unstable or causing neurological symptoms.

  5. Patients with spinal deformities: Spinal fusion surgery may be recommended for patients with spinal deformities such as scoliosis or kyphosis, where the spine is curved or misaligned.

  6. Patients with failed back surgery syndrome: Spinal fusion surgery may be recommended for patients who have not experienced relief from other treatments and continue to experience chronic back pain after previous back surgeries.

It is important for patients to discuss their symptoms, medical history, and treatment options with their healthcare provider to determine if spinal fusion surgery is the best treatment option for their specific condition.

Timeline

Before spinal fusion surgery, a patient typically experiences chronic back pain, weakness, numbness, or tingling in the arms or legs, difficulty walking, and limited range of motion. They may undergo conservative treatments such as physical therapy, medication, injections, and other non-surgical options to manage their symptoms.

After spinal fusion surgery, a patient may experience immediate relief from their symptoms, although it can take several weeks to months to fully recover. They will need to follow a rehabilitation program to strengthen their back muscles and improve flexibility. Some patients may also require assistance with daily activities during the initial recovery period. Over time, the patient should experience improved spinal stability and reduced pain, allowing them to return to normal activities with better overall function and quality of life.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What are the potential risks and complications associated with spinal fusion surgery?
  2. What is the success rate of spinal fusion surgery in treating my specific condition?
  3. How long is the recovery process after spinal fusion surgery and what can I expect during this time?
  4. Are there any alternative treatment options to spinal fusion surgery that I should consider?
  5. How many spinal fusion surgeries have you performed and what is your success rate?
  6. What type of anesthesia will be used during the surgery and what are the potential side effects?
  7. Will I need physical therapy or rehabilitation after the surgery? If so, for how long?
  8. How long will I need to stay in the hospital after the surgery?
  9. Will I need to make any lifestyle changes or modifications after the surgery?
  10. What is the long-term outlook for my condition after undergoing spinal fusion surgery?

Reference

Authors: John J, Mirahmadizadeh A, Seifi A. Journal: J Clin Neurosci. 2018 May;51:80-84. doi: 10.1016/j.jocn.2018.02.013. Epub 2018 Feb 21. PMID: 29477248