Bone Grafts in Spine Surgery

Bone Grafts in Spine Surgery

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Spinal fusion is one of the most common surgeries performed in the back. The basic idea is to fuse painful or unstable bones in the spine so that they heal into a single, solid bone. For bones to fuse or heal together, additional bone is needed. This additional bone is called a bone graft. The rigidity of using a bone graft supports weight-bearing functions such as walking and standing. If left untreated or left too long to be treated, Lumbar Spinal Stenosis (LSS) can lead to a decreased quality of life. It not only hinders the ability to participate in activities of daily living, work, hobbies, or interests, but it will also likely worsen over time and lead to more serious issues like nerve damage and paralysis. The time to consult with the extensively trained and experienced orthopedic specialists at Colorado Center of Orthopaedic Excellence in Colorado Springs, Colorado, is before it gets to that point. They’ve got all the help you need.

OVERVIEW

Spinal stenosis is fairly common, with degenerative spinal changes affecting up to 95% of people by the age of 50. It is a narrowing of the spinal canal that often occurs as a result of disk degeneration or herniation, a partial dislocation of the vertebrae, overgrowth of the facets, or thickening of the ligaments. More than 300,000 lumbar spinal fusions are performed every year. Spinal fusion involves techniques designed to mimic the normal healing process of broken bones. Typically, a bone graft is used to fuse the vertebrae during the surgery. The bone graft is added between the vertebrae to set up the required conditions for the formation of a solid bone bridge. In some spinal fusion procedures, parts of the spinal bones are removed to relieve pressure on the nerve roots. This removed bone is often saved during the surgery and used as a graft. The bone is essentially recycled; it is moved from an area where it is no longer needed to the area that the surgeon wants to fuse.

ABOUT THE SPINE

The spine is one of the most important parts of the body. Without it, one could not keep themselves upright or even stand up. It gives the body structure and support. It allows one to move about freely and bend with flexibility. The spine is also designed to protect the spinal cord. The spine is made up of 33 vertebrae that are stacked on top of each other to create the spinal column – 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral, and 4 coccygeal. The coccyx is the last bone at the bottom (base) of your spine. Most people know the coccyx as the tailbone.

Between each vertebra is a soft gel-like cushion called a disc that helps absorb pressure and keep the bones from rubbing against each other. The spine itself has three main segments: the cervical or upper part of the spine, the thoracic or center portion of the spine, and the lumbar or lower part of the spine. Even though the lower portion of the spine holds most of the body’s weight, each segment relies upon the strength of the others to function properly.

WHAT ARE BONE GRAFTS IN SPINAL SURGERY?

A basic part of any spinal fusion involves a bone graft. A bone graft refers to a supporting structure. Different types of bone grafts used in spinal fusion:

  • Cadaver or Autografts: These are considered the gold standard for bone grafting. They use bone from the patient’s own body, typically from the iliac crest (hip bone) as they provide live bone cells, growth factors, and proteins necessary for bone regeneration.
  • Allografts: These involve using bone tissue obtained from a cadaveric donor. Meanwhile, this type of bone graft eliminates the need for an additional surgical site.
  • Synthetic Bone Grafts: These mimic the properties of natural bone. Although synthetic, they provide a framework for new bone growth and gradually resorb over time as the patient’s own bone takes its place.
  • Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs): These are a group of naturally occurring proteins that play a critical role in bone formation and healing. Surgeons use these as an alternative or in combination with traditional bone grafts.
  • Interbody Cage Fusion: This procedure uses a hollow threaded or carbon fiber cylinder to fuse two vertebrae. The diseased disk is removed and two interbody cages are placed in the opening where the diseased disk has been removed. The cages are filled with bone grafts.

Read more about Bone Grafts in the Spine on our new Colorado Springs Orthopedic News Site – Colorado Springs Orthopedic News. Schedule an appointment with a spine specialist today.