Fusion

Dear Anita:
It is difficult to answer this question since I do not have the luxury
of having examined your mother or reviewd the radiographic studies.
The indications for removing the disc are certainly that of rupture of
the disc with persistent pain or weakness.
The indications for fusion however have to be much more carefully done.
She should undergo fusion only if the doctors have noticed instability in
her spine from this problem or if removing the disc will cause instability.
There are several approaches for fusion and in general surgeons can
choose to operate from the front (the abdomen) or from the back depending
on where the disease is located. Fusion involves placing metal hardware
as well as bone to form a fusion mass. The metal hardware acts as a support
mechanism until the bone heals in place.
Depending on her disease and the kind of operation they are planning, this
could be quite an involved process and should be performed by a surgeon
who specializes in these procedures.
If you have further more specific questions please write back. Good Luck!