Surgery intended to join vertebrae with bone healing and limit movement at a selected spinal segment.
OpenStax College — CC BY 3.0. Image source.
Understanding the approach
Spinal fusion, also called arthrodesis, aims to achieve a bony union between vertebrae. A graft supports healing; screws, rods or cages may provide initial stability. The hardware supports the process but does not replace formation of the bony union itself.
Indications and assessment
It may be considered for instability, selected deformities or other defined surgical situations. Disc degeneration on imaging does not make fusion mandatory. Assessment considers symptoms, spinal alignment, bone quality, previous care and whether decompression without fusion is an appropriate alternative.
Benefits, limitations and precautions
Movement at the fused segment is intentionally reduced. Risks include infection, nerve injury, hardware problems and failure to unite, called pseudarthrosis. Smoking and poor bone health can impair healing. A satisfactory radiographic appearance does not guarantee elimination of every source of pain.
Place in the care pathway
TAGMED does not perform fusion surgery. Before an operation, conservative options may be discussed where appropriate. After fusion, traction or manual interventions should not be chosen simply because pain persists: the fused level, healing and surgeon’s instructions are crucial.
Goals should be practical: walking farther, returning to a chosen activity or reducing symptoms that interfere with sleep. Improvement immediately after an intervention does not establish lasting benefit. Follow-up compares function with the starting point, records adverse effects and considers progress between appointments. An inadequate response should prompt a review of the clinical explanation or proposed approach, rather than an automatic extension of the same treatment.
Before starting, describe the outcome you want, treatments already tried and difficulties encountered. Ask how the response will be measured and when another option would be preferable. Available reports complement the discussion without replacing your current experience, priorities or preferences.
Frequently asked questions
Is fusion always needed after decompression?
No. Suitability depends partly on stability and the extent of surgery.
Do screws create an immediate fusion?
No. Bony healing takes time.
Can the spine still move?
Unfused segments remain mobile, but function varies with the extent of surgery.
What is pseudarthrosis?
The expected bony union has not formed adequately.
Can traction be resumed?
Only after specific assessment and appropriate clearance from the surgical team.
Conceptual diagram of clinical reasoning; not an anatomical drawing to scale.
Role of TAGMED care
This entry describes a medical or specialist option; it does not mean the intervention is performed at TAGMED. The clinic can discuss how its conservative services might fit into coordinated care, considering prescribed treatment, reports and specialist restrictions. Medication should not be stopped or changed on the basis of this page.
Medical references
- AAOS — OrthoInfo. Spinal Fusion.
- AAOS — OrthoInfo. Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery.
References document the topic; their inclusion does not imply endorsement of TAGMED services by those organizations.
Educational information from The Spine Page. This entry does not replace an individual assessment. Documentary version: October 12, 2026. Sylvain Desforges, B.Sc., D.O., N.D., osteopath and naturopath.
TAGMED clinic contact details
For non-urgent consultations and information about available services.
Clinique TAGMED — Terrebonne
1150, rue Lévis, Suite 200
Terrebonne (Québec) J6W 5S6
450‑704‑4447
Clinique TAGMED — Montréal
1140, avenue Beaumont
Mont-Royal (Québec) H3P 3E5
1‑877‑672‑9060