Definition

Noun: A surgical procedure, or sometimes a treatment using traction or immobilization, that corrects an unstable section of the spine by permanently joining (fusing) two or more vertebrae together into a single, solid bone.

Usage

This term is used specifically in medical contexts to describe a treatment for spinal instability, deformity, or severe pain. - It is a compound noun ("spinal fusion") and is typically used as a singular count noun. - The procedure's goal is to eliminate painful motion between vertebrae.

Examples

• The patient underwent spinal fusion to treat the severe scoliosis.
• After the car accident, spinal fusion was recommended to stabilize the fractured vertebrae.
• Recovery from a spinal fusion surgery can take several months.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be part of more specific medical phrases indicating the approach or extent, such as "anterior lumbar interbody fusion" (ALIF) or "posterior spinal fusion." However, these are distinct compound terms.
• It can be used metaphorically in non-medical contexts to describe a very rigid or inflexible joining of parts, though this is rare.

Variants and Related Words

• Arthrodesis: The general medical term for the surgical fusion of a joint.
• Spinal stabilization surgery: A more descriptive synonym.
• Fusion (in this context): A common shorthand in medical discussions (e.g., "He needs a fusion at L4-L5").

Synonyms

• Spine fusion
• Spondylodesis (a more technical synonym)

Antonyms

• Spinal mobility preservation
• Dynamic stabilization (a surgical alternative that aims to stabilize the spine while preserving some motion)

Related Phrases

• To fuse the spine: The verb form describing the action.
  • The surgeon will fuse the spine at two levels.
• Fusion procedure/surgery: Common collocations.
• Fusion mass: The term for the resulting solid bone structure after healing.

Noun

1. correction of an unstable part of the spine by joining two or more vertebrae; usually done surgically but sometimes done by traction or immobilization