An L5-S1 spinal fusion is a type of surgery in which two vertebral bones are fused together to relieve certain spinal conditions. According to MedlinePlus, of the National Institutes of Health, fusing two vertebral bones together prevents them from moving over one another, which can result in the relief of particular spine-related symptoms. The surgeon would generally make a large incision along the midline of the back, protect soft tissues and blood vessels, and fuse two vertebral bones together using bone graft or hardware such as screws, plates or different types of cages. Although this type of surgery is generally beneficial for patients with many different back problems, complications may occur that the patient should be aware of before undergoing this procedure.
Infection
Infection is a common complication after spinal fusion, states the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. An infection may occur because bacteria on the patient's skin, surgical tools, surgeons or surgical hardware may enter the surgical site and infect spinal bones and the spinal column, or the bacteria may spread to other parts of the body. Signs of infection include excessive pain at the surgical site, redness or foul-smelling drainage. Signs of an infection that have spread to other parts of the body include fevers, chills, night sweats and overall generalized fatigue. Although concerning, infections are rare because antibiotics are regularly given to patients before, during and after surgery to reduce the risk of infections, states the AAOS. However, a patient should immediately let his surgeon know if he is beginning to experience signs of infection.
Recurrent Symptoms
According to the AAOS, a patient may experience recurring symptoms such as pain at the surgical site. This occurs on a small number of patients but is often related to improper healing of the bone fusion after surgery. In other cases, a patient may experience pain immediately above or immediately below the area of the spinal fusions. Therefore, a patient experiencing pain at the surgical site immediately or for some time after surgery should not hesitate to contact her surgeon to seek the proper assessment of spinal pain so the proper treatments can be initiated.
Pseudoarthrosis
A patient who smokes before or immediately after a spinal fusion surgery is most likely to develop pseudoarthrosis, states the AAOS. Pseudoarthrosis is described as a condition in which there is inadequate bone formation between the bones that are fused together. This can result in long-term pain because the bones are still moving over one another. Smoking causes pseduoarthrosis because it damages small blood vessels that are necessary for proper bone healing. If pseudoarthrosis occurs, an additional surgery may be needed to re-fuse the spinal bones. If a patient still has problems quitting smoking, he should seek smoking cessation treatment before having a second surgery.
