Reconstruct Your Spine and Reduce Pain with Spinal Fusion Specialist in Nevada
Spinal fusion surgery is an alternative to rectify an extensive range of spine issues. Patrick S. McNulty, MD, FABSS, FABOS, of McNulty Spine is a double board-certified and renowned orthopedic surgeon and spine specialist conducting cutting-edge spinal fusion procedures to reconstruct the spine and reduce pain. If you seek an expert Las Vegas spinal fusion specialist, call the McNulty Spine office to talk to a team member or request an appointment online today.
What Is Spinal Fusion?
Spinal fusion is a surgical procedure that creates spine stability by fusing vertebrae. Depending on your needs, Dr. McNulty may fuse two or more vertebrae. The surgery removes the motion between your vertebrae while stretching the neighboring muscles, nerves, and connective tissues.
Dr. McNulty can conduct the simplest surgical procedure in one level fusion, fusing your whole thoracic and lumbar spine to your pelvis. He may also fuse your head’s base to your neck if necessary (known as occipitocervical fusion).
Why Would You Require Spinal Fusion?
Spinal fusion serves as a treatment for various neck and back problems, including fractured vertebra, degenerative disc disease, tumors, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, infections, kyphosis, spondylolisthesis, scoliosis, and loss of lordosis in the lower back or neck.
Dr. McNulty performs an extensive evaluation to diagnose your spine issues and determine the most suitable treatment to correct them. In case you experience back pain, neck pain, spinal deformity, weakness, tingling, or numbness in your legs or arms, set up a consultation with Dr. McNulty to determine the root cause of those symptoms.
What To Expect During Spinal Fusion?
Dr. McNulty provides many open and minimally-invasive spinal fusion procedures. These include:
- Facet fusion
- Pedicle screw fixation
- Laminectomy with fusion
- Anterior lumbar interbody fusion
- Lateral lumbar interbody fusion
- Lumbar interbody fusion
- Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion
- Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF)
To ensure a comfortable, safe experience, Dr. McNulty offers general anesthesia with interoperative neurologic monitoring. Typically, your bone graft source is a blend of your synthetic bone crystalline material and stem cells, it prevents any complications of an enormous bone harvest from your body.
Generally, the spinal fusion procedure uses instrumentation (screws and metal rods) to connect your spine and hold it into the desired position, whereas bone graft material fuses the vertebra. Dr. McNulty uses open and/or minimally-invasive techniques to expose your spine and perform this procedure.
How Is The Recovery Following Spinal Fusion?
Dr. McNulty offers personalized aftercare guidelines after your procedure. You’ll require to wear a brace to hold your spine in position as your vertebrae join together. He also recommends particular medications to manage any pain. You are only allowed to get your incision wet after one week. Dr. McNulty encourages activeness, particularly low impact. Depending on your treatment, you can start physical therapy in 6-12 weeks after surgery.
The fusion process gradually matures and strengthens for about three years. As your post-surgical pain reduces, therapy is essential to learn how to appropriately move, as well as rebuild flexibility and strength in the muscles supporting your spine. Your provider may also recommend you live on a high dose of calcium and vitamin D to strengthen your bones, thus avoid failed fusion. Besides, Dr. McNulty may encourage you to maintain a healthy lifestyle comprising regular exercise, with a special focus on core strengthening and low-impact cardio.
In conclusion, spine conditions are quite debilitating and may significantly impact your life quality. For professional spinal fusion from a highly trained and experienced spine surgeon, schedule a consultation by calling the McNulty Spine office or book online.