Jeff Langmaid explains when spinal fusion is necessary for trauma or instability, and why it matters long-term. Within ten years, up to 50% of cervical fusions and 70% of lumbar fusions develop adjacent segment disease, though only about half become symptomatic.
Ten years.
Up to 50%.
70%.
About half.
That is why we need to be very, very. I believe we should be so proactive about our communication so we all know the challenges. Additionally, once a spinal fusion takes place, sometimes they are the exact thing needed if you have major trauma, if you have abject instability, spinal fusions can be a great thing. They've saved tons of people's lives. But you got to pay the piper one way or the other, right? So we know adjacent segment disease takes hold as time goes on. Ten years, up to 50% in the cervical spine, 70% of people in the lumbar spine will have adjacent segment disease. About half of each of these will become symptomatic. So I don't want to overstate it.
