Spinal fusion
Spinal fusion is an operation used to stabilise the spine by permanently joining two or more vertebrae (spinal bones) together. It may be recommended when abnormal movement between the bones is causing pain, instability, deformity, or pressure on the spinal nerves.
Spinal fusion overview
Under normal conditions, intervertebral discs and facet joints allow smooth, controlled movement between the vertebrae in your spine. However, wear-and-tear, spondylolisthesis (vertebral slippage), or traumatic injury can cause spinal instability. This instability leads to chronic lower back pain and can compress the spinal cord or spinal nerves. Spinal fusion is a procedure used to improve stability in the spine when symptoms are caused by abnormal movement, deformity, or structural changes between the vertebrae. The operation typically uses implants such as screws, rods or cages, often combined with bone graft, to support the affected area and promote long-term stability. It is commonly performed alongside spinal decompression procedures to relieve pressure on the spinal nerves.
Conditions treated with spinal fusion
Spinal fusion is considered when non-surgical treatments, such as dedicated physical therapy, core strengthening, medication, and targeted epidural injections, have failed to manage symptoms. Common conditions treated include:
- Spinal instability and spondylolisthesis: Forward or backward slipping of one vertebra over another.
- Severe degenerative disc diseases: Advanced wear-and-tear leading to loss of disc height, painful joint friction, and loss of spinal alignment.
- Spinal deformities: Conditions such as scoliosis or kyphosis requiring structural realignment.
- Recurrent disc herniation or post-decompression instability: Secondary instability following previous spinal surgeries.
- Spinal fractures and trauma: Complex injuries that compromise the structural integrity of the spinal column.
What does the procedure involve?
The operation typically takes around 2-3 hours, although this may vary depending on the number of spinal levels being treated. Including anaesthesia and recovery, you can expect to spend approximately 4-5 hours in theatre. Most patients stay in hospital for 2 -3 days following surgery for monitoring, pain management, physiotherapy assessment and support with returning to mobility and everyday activities.
How successful is the procedure?
Spinal fusion is a well-established procedure that can provide significant benefits for appropriately selected patients. Success is typically measured by improvements in pain, function, quality of life, and the ability to return to everyday activities.
Many patients experience substantial improvement in symptoms following surgery, particularly when their symptoms are caused by spinal instability, deformity, or nerve compression. However, as with any procedure, outcomes vary between individuals and no operation can guarantee complete symptom relief.
Your surgeon will discuss the goals of surgery, the expected benefits, and any factors that may influence your recovery or long-term outcome.
Recovery after Spinal fusion
A physiotherapist will help you mobilise safely and provide advice on walking, stairs, getting in and out of bed, and other everyday activities.
Gradually increasing walking and daily activity. Managing discomfort whilst maintaining appropriate movement. Avoiding activities that place excessive strain on the healing tissues. Restoring flexibility, strength and confidence in movement. Progressing to a structured rehabilitation programme where appropriate.
Returning to work: Patients undertaking sedentary or office-based work are often able to return sooner than those performing physically demanding roles. Your consultant will advise when it is safe to resume work duties. Driving: You should only return to driving when you can comfortably perform an emergency stop, are no longer impaired by pain or medication, and feel confident controlling the vehicle safely. Returning to sport and exercise: Low-impact activities are usually encouraged first, followed by a gradual progression to more demanding exercise and sport as strength, mobility and confidence improve.
Working with Spine professionals and teams
Our spine specialists support professional athletes, sports teams, active individuals and people whose work places high demands on their spines. Working closely with radiologists, physiotherapists and the wider multidisciplinary team, they provide coordinated care from diagnosis through to rehabilitation, helping each person return safely to sport, work or everyday activities.
The same specialist expertise and collaborative approach are available to every patient, whatever your activity level or recovery goals.
Our Experts - Leaders in Spine treatment
How to pay
We offer flexible options depending on how you choose to access care at Fortius. Whichever option you choose, we’ll help make the process clear and straightforward from the start.
Private medical insurance
If your care is covered by private medical insurance, we’ll usually invoice your insurer directly. Please check your policy in advance and request an authorisation code if your insurer requires one. You’ll be responsible for paying any policy excess or costs that aren’t covered by your insurance.
Paying for yourself
You don’t need private medical insurance to access care at Fortius. If you’re paying for your own treatment, our team will explain the costs clearly and provide a personalised quote before you decide whether to go ahead.
Find a clinic near you
Fortius Clinic City
Our City Clinic is conveniently located between Bank and Monument stations, within the historic and financial heart of London. At our modern, two-floor facility we have nine consulting rooms, spacious waiting areas, well equipped treatment rooms and an imaging centre.
Explore our City Clinic with our virtual tour.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground stations are Bank and Monument, exit 6 for King William Street.
Should you be travelling by car, the closest parking is a three minute drive away at NCP Car Park London Vintry Thames Exchange. If you are attending clinic on a weekday, please be aware that we are based in the congestion charge zone.
- 75 King William StreetEC4N 7BE
- 0203 195 2442
- Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm.
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- MRI Scan
Fortius Clinic Marylebone Wing
Our 79,000 sq ft, seven-story, private hospital on Wigmore Street has 39 en-suite inpatient rooms, consultation and treatment rooms, and a physiotherapy suite.
The hospital has a high-spec imaging suite fully equipped with an MRI, CT scanner and X-ray machine. There are three state-of-the-art operating theatres, two anaesthetic rooms and a recovery bay.
Fortius Clinic London has two Mako robots for hip and knee joint replacements.
- 66 Wigmore StreetW1U 2SB
- +442031952442
- Open 24 hours
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- CT guided injection
- MRI Scan
- CT Scan
Fortius Clinic Wimbledon
Our Wimbledon clinic houses a state-of-the-art imaging centre with a 3T MRI and X-ray scanners, Ultrasound, seven consulting rooms, two spacious waiting areas and well equipped treatment rooms all located on one level, ensuring easy accessibility for all patients.
Our partnership with Spire St Anthony’s Hospital allows us to provide orthopaedic surgery closer to our clinic. We treat a full range of conditions and perform joint replacement surgery using the latest Mako robotic assisted technology.
Take a tour of our clinic virtually through Google 360 views here.
We are open Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm, and Saturday mornings from 8.30am to 12.30pm.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground station is Wimbledon (District Line), which also has rail and tramlink services from central London and beyond.
There is no parking available at the clinic, but we have a number of parking facilities all within a 10-12 minute walk of the clinic: Centre Court Car Park, Broadway Car Park, and Hartfield Road Car Park. Please note that all of these facilities are paid car parks.
The building at 22 Worple Road has steps leading up to the front entrance. If you require assistance please inform us before your arrival by calling ahead on 020 3195 2442
- 22 Worple RoadSW19 4DD
- 0203 195 2442
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- MRI Scan
Fortius Clinic Marylebone
Our Marylebone Clinic is conveniently located in the historic area between Baker Street and Marylebone High Street, just off Manchester Square, home to the iconic Wallace Collection. We have seven consulting rooms, private waiting areas on each floor, well equipped treatment rooms and diagnostic imaging.
- 17 Fitzhardinge StreetW1U 2EU
- 020 3195 2442
- MRI Scan
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
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