Posterolateral Gutter Spine Fusion

It is most commonly done at l4 through l5 or l5 through s1 as these are the segments most likely to degenerate.

Posterolateral gutter spine fusion.

This surgical approach involves placing bone graft in the posterolateral portion of the spine area just outside the spine. As the harvested bone graft grows and adheres to the transverse processes such as between l4 and l5 lumbar segment 4 and lumbar segment 5 the spinal fusion is achieved and motion at that segment is stopped. Posterolateral gutter spine fusion surgery description. The surgery involves placing a bone graft in the posterolateral portion of the back of the spine.

The back muscles hold the graft in place until it fuses with the vertebrae. First bone graftis obtained from the pelvis the iliac crest although some form of bone graft substitute may also be used. In posterolateral gutter fusion surgery the doctor places an implant at the posterolateral portion of the spine. This will allow the bone to heal from the transverse process of one vertebra to the transverse process of the next vertebra.

Posterolateral lumbar fusion orthoinfo aaos from the american academy of orthopaedic surgeons. In a posterolateral gutter fusion the surgical approach to the spine is from the back through a midline incision that is approximately three inches to six inches long. A fusion will setup within three months and will continue to get stronger for one to two years. First bone graft is obtained from the pelvis the iliac crest although some form of bone graft substitute may also be used.

Bone graft is taken from the pelvis and laid out in the posterolateral portion of the spine that is to be fused. After a posterolateral gutter spine fusion the body engages in a natural process to repair itself which usually means growing bone. In spinal fusion surgery the doctor implants either a device or bone material to help re stabilize the spine. In a posterolateral gutter fusion procedure the spine is approached from the back.

Most spine surgeons work through the same incision to obtain the bone graft and to perform the spinal fusion. In a posterolateral gutter fusion the surgical approach to the spine is from the back through a midline incision that is approximately three inches to six inches long. This area is located along the very outer edges of the spinal structure. A lumbar posterolateral gutter fusion is done in the lower back at l1 through l2 through l5 through s1 at the bottom of the spine.

This type of spine fusion is called a posterolateral fusion. In a posterolateral lumbar spinal fusion the surgeon approaches the spine from the back and uses bone graft to fuse the painful area of the spine. The damaged intervertebral disk remains in place. The device is often a type of cage that mimics the build of a damaged disc.