Let us assume that you have a degenerative L5-S1 segment and that all your other segments are normal. The L5-1 segment is now painful and a fusion will be beneficial.
More likely than not- your range of motion now is limited by pain at endpoints of motion (flexion and extension). In addition, this degenerative segment is also very limited in motion by the significant loss of disc height and wear of the facets.
What is surprising is that your motion may improve with a fusion of this segment. The loss of motion from fusion is normally minimal because of the preexisting limited motion of the degenerative segment. In addition, the reduction of pain with fusion may allow greater motion of the segments above than previously existed without the fusion.
Dr. Corenman
PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.
