Question 1

is it normal not to see bone growth one month after a spinal fusion?

Accepted Answer

Bone fusion: Yes. Bone fusion can take up to a year and a fusion occurs more slowly in post menopausal women, people who smoke, patients who take Ibuprofen or anti-inflammatory medications and people with diabetes.

Question 2

does pain 3 months after a spinal fusion signify bone growth? this time is more painful than last, but lat time no growth. friends say growing pains.

Accepted Answer

Check your pain Doc.: Your question is not easy to obtain the answer without knowing your condition in detail. if your pain is getting worse, you should go back to your pain doctor, may not surgeon only.

Question 3

spinal fusion 9 weeks ago, ra 13yrs, on mtx, plaquinil & arava, (leflunomide) still not under control. would biologics interefere with bone growth? have bone stimulat

Accepted Answer

Perhaps: Several medications used to treat RA can interfere with bone growth.  You should talk to both your rheumatologist and to your surgeon about what you are taking and whether it should be stopped or changed while your bones are fusing.

Question 4

how long after a spinal fusion is bone growth apparent on x-rays or ct scans? my previous fusion had no bone growth so i want to request extra testing

Accepted Answer

6-8 weeks: Bony fusion grows like a fracture heals.  It generally takes a minimum of 6-8 weeks to see good Xray evidence of fusion.  In my practice I will get X-rays at the 6 week point, and usually at the 3 month time point.  But other surgeons may have different schedules.  It can be helpful to use an external bone growth stimulator, No doubt NOT SMOKING is crucial, and avoiding NSAIDs can help you heal!!

Question 5

does a bone become stronger 3 months after spinal fusion?

Accepted Answer

Yes & no: There are different types of fusion. Two or more bones are linked together by bone or bone substitute and ofter metal (plates, rods, screws, hooks, wires). The combination is often quite strong. After 3 months, it is generally stable and strong, parts of the bone (the inner part) may be less dense (less strong), but it does not matter since the whole is strong enough to support what it needs to.

Question 6

what happens in a spinal fusion if the bones do not fuse?

Accepted Answer

: I would say that repeat since regrows would be attempted with either better fusion material or perhaps cadaver bone implants

Question 7

when is spinal fusion needed for bone overgrowth?

Accepted Answer

If unstable: When bony overgrowth creates excessive motion in the spine and narrows the spinal canal, it will require surgery.  If removal of the bony overgrowth causes destabilization of the spine, you have to fuse the spine.

Question 8

i am having a spinal fusion. this will be my second one. l5 s1. i don't wqnt to use my own bone. what are my options?

Accepted Answer

Spinal fusion: You also have the option of using cadaveric bone though some surgeons do not like to use this source, having said that it is coming used.

Question 9

s1-l4 spinal fusion with instrumentation. aside from pain, can i cause damage to the healing bone or anything, from bending, twisting, slipping? 11 wk

Accepted Answer

Spinal fusion: Healing bone after a spinal fusion takes approximately 100 days. Smoking, diabetes, poor nutrition, osteoporosis, and not wearing a back brace can slow healing.  It is uncommon to break screws.  Adjacent wear or injury of the sacroiliac joints or the lumbar 3/4 level is more likely than causing damage to the fusion itself.

Question 10

is permanent nerve damage possible after a bone fragment and hematoma was removed after spinal fusion?

Accepted Answer

Yes its possible but: the removal of the fragment and clots would provide the best chance for the damaged nerve to recover. These can take a long time to recover, upto 2 yrs in some cases, but most recovery occurs in first 6-9 months, after which its slower. Stabilization of the Spine with fusion certainly helps to allow healing to progress, while preventing further damage.

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Doctor answers about:

Bone growth after spinal fusion

A member asked:

Is it normal not to see bone growth one month after a spinal fusion?

A member asked:

Does pain 3 months after a spinal fusion signify bone growth? this time is more painful than last, but lat time no growth. friends say growing pains.

A member asked:

Spinal fusion 9 weeks ago, ra 13yrs, on mtx, plaquinil & arava, (leflunomide) still not under control. would biologics interefere with bone growth? have bone stimulat

A member asked:

How long after a spinal fusion is bone growth apparent on x-rays or ct scans? my previous fusion had no bone growth so i want to request extra testing

A member asked:

Does a bone become stronger 3 months after spinal fusion?

A member asked:

What happens in a spinal fusion if the bones do not fuse?

A member asked:

When is spinal fusion needed for bone overgrowth?

A member asked:

I am having a spinal fusion. this will be my second one. l5 s1. i don't wqnt to use my own bone. what are my options?

A member asked:

S1-l4 spinal fusion with instrumentation. aside from pain, can i cause damage to the healing bone or anything, from bending, twisting, slipping? 11 wk

A member asked:

Is permanent nerve damage possible after a bone fragment and hematoma was removed after spinal fusion?

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