spinal fusion that did not take!

on 4/21/04 my 64 year old mother just underwent a a 4 1/2 hour  spinal fusion that did not take he said her disc were so dieteriated, which means that the dr. could not get the screws to tighten up so the took it back out, now they are wanting to to another surgery on 4/26/04 where they said something about building bones or placing bones (I'm not sure) anyway he said when they did this that she would be bedridden for 2 months that is how long it would take to heal. Do you know anything about this procedure or have you ever heard anything like this?And what about the closeness of the surgeries, dr did say that he would have to do a different insision that would go down the middle of her back and it would be a pretty large insision.

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS]

You have not stated what area of the spine is being operated, and without seeing your mother and the films, I can not provide a true medical opinion. I believe what the doctor is talking about is placing some form of a bone graft, and then allowing this to fuse over time. If your mother has osteoprosis this could take more time, hence the bed rest. You should ask the surgeon what are the chances of success for this surgery, and what other options are avaiable. You should ask the surgeon if the vertebral bodies above and below the area in question are more normal, and can a graft/instrument be attached there. The closeness of the surgeries from an anesthesia perspective are fine. Good luck.