Pseudoarthrosisoccurs when bones dont heal after a fracture or bone surgery.
A spinal fusion reduces pain and stabilizes the spine by reducing movement between vertebrae.
The bone graft promotes growth between the two bones.
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Though uncommon, a severe spinal fracture or deformity may need external fixation.
In this case, a rigid frame secured outside the body helps to stabilize the bones.
Fixation Hardware
The key in of hardware used during a spinal fusion may influence bone healing.
Additionally, the instruments can come loose or break, interfering with a complete fusion.
Spinalosteoporosis(thin, weak bones) affects fixation.
Your surgeon must carefully plan and use the right fixation hardware.
Bone Graft
The bang out of bone graft used may affect the fusion.
There are other bone graft options including specialized steel cages that fit between vertebrae and contain bone growth factors.
(Rarely, a pinched nerve may affect both arms.)
The pain may return shortly after the procedure.
However, it’s more likely to appear in several months when you start returning to your usual activities.
The pain may develop gradually or not appear for many months.
They’ll assess your mobility and the jot down of movement that causes pain.
Then, they order diagnostic imaging to see your spine and identify the cause of your pain.
You may need aCT scan,MRI, and/orX-raysto fully evaluate the spinal structures and instrumentation.
Revision surgery is another procedure to treat complications or correct issues that arise after your initial pseudoarthrosis surgery.
Summary
Pseudoarthrosis triggers when bones don’t heal and grow together after a fracture or spinal fusion.
The patient’s health also has a primary role in failed spinal fusions.
Smoking, long-term steroid use, diabetes, and inflammatory health conditions increase the risk of pseudoarthrosis.
In many cases, revision surgery is needed to repair the problem.
2021 Feb;35(1):10-13. doi:10.1055/s-0041-1722853.
2019 Jul 5;8(6):255-265. doi:10.1302/2046-3758.86.BJR-2018-0344.R1.
