About Inter-body Fusion

Inter-body fusion is designed to be a less invasive method to obtain spinal fusion, and is generally used for the treatment of back pain caused by degenerative disc disease. Two threaded titanium cylinders will hold the vertebrae in proper position while fusion occurs. The procedure can be performed through an anterior (from the front), or posterior (from the back) approach. The anterior approach can use conventional open techniques or a minimally-invasive endoscopic technique. The surgery in the following images is performed through an anterior approach.

The disc space is approached through an incision in the abdomen. The muscles are not cut because they run vertically and can be moved to the side. The sac around the abdominal contents (peritoneum) is moved aside, and the abdominal cavity is not entered. The disc is removed by excising the front portion and removing the disc material back to the spinal canal.  This removes the inflammatory proteins within the disc.
 
The disc space is approached through an incision in the abdomen. The muscles are not cut because they run vertically and can be moved to the side. The sac around the abdominal contents (peritoneum) is moved aside, and the abdominal cavity is not entered. The disc is removed by excising the front portion and removing the disc material back to the spinal canal. This removes the inflammatory proteins within the disc.
 
Temporary spacers are impacted into the empty disc space distracting and realigning the vertebral bodies into the proper position. This maneuver opens the collapsed foramen (nerve canal) and lifts pressure from the pinched nerve roots.
 
Using an appropriate size reamer and threaded tap, a hole in the vertebral bodies is created A threaded titanium cage is packed with bone graft and then screwed tightly into the hole. The threaded cage replaces the distraction plug and maintains the proper position of the vertebral bodies.
 
The other temporary plug is removed and the hole is made ready for the second implant.  The other implant, packed with morselized bone, is inserted. The morselized. bone .graft will grow through and around the implants, forming a bone bridge that connects the vertebral bodies above and below. This solid bone bridge is called a fusion.