14
Jan
Plastic rods for spinal fusions mean less stiffness and pain
Recent studies have shown that success rates for spinal fusions are above 90 percent, SpinalStenosis.org reports, and advances in the rods used for fusions are giving patients even better results.
"Fusions are where you put in screws that are connected to a rod that connects two vertebra together," Dr. Jonathan Citow, MD, selected as a Chicago Top Doctor by TopTierMD as a top rated neurological surgeon in Chicago, said. "It removes motion at one segment of the spine."
Spinal fusions, in addition to eliminating motion between vertebra, also prevent the stretching of nerves and surrounding muscles and ligaments.
"Fusions are used to correct spines," Dr. Citow said. "It can done minimally invasively, which uses smaller incisions and result in less damage to the surrounding tissues during surgery. This type of surgery can be done through the abdomen, from the back, from the side, or in any combination of those."
The surgery, Dr. Citow said, takes about two hours for one level, which is when two vertebra and one disc are fused, and an additional half hour for additional levels.
"After surgery, patients can usually expect a two day hospital stay," Dr. Citow said. "We also say to stay away from sports for several months post-surgery."
The healing process takes several months as the bone becomes solid, though patients' comfort levels will improve rapidly during this time and symptoms will improve gradually, allowing activity levels to rise and strength to return.
"One of the biggest recent advances in fusions is that we now have bendable plastic rods," Dr. Citow said. "The metal rods that we used to use could cause chronic stiffness and pain."
The newer plastic rods, Dr. Citow said, work beautifully and are used in all cases, except for in larger scoliosis cases when a large deformity must be corrected.
"The chances of those plastic rods being damaged is very rare," Dr. Citow said. "The plastic rods have been in use for six years. I've been working with the companies that develop them, so I'm completely current with the technique.
"Another reason that I stay on top of things is that I read the board review books and stay current on the new technologies. I got the second best board exam score in the country when I took mine and I've written about seven text books on board reviews that have become best sellers over the last 10 years."
Dr. Jonathan Citow, MD, was selected by TopTierMD as a Chicago Top Doctor and is considered Best in Neurological Surgery in Chicago. He specializes in minimally invasive spinal surgery, fusions and the treatment of spinal disorders.
