Doctors do spinal fusion surgery to help teens with scoliosis or other spine problems.
It's called "fusion" because the surgery lets two or more bones in the spine (called vertebrae) fuse (grow together) into one solid bone. This straightens the spine and prevents the curve from getting worse over time.
Many teens with scoliosis don't need medical treatment. Others will wear a brace to keep the spine from developing more of a curve.
But someone might need surgery if:
In that case, a spinal fusion might be needed to straighten the curve as much as possible and stop it from getting worse.
If you have a spinal fusion, you'll get general anesthesia before the procedure. This lets you sleep through the operation, which takes several hours.
After a fusion, most teens stay in the hospital for a couple of days while they recover from surgery and increase their movement. By the time you go home, you'll be able to walk around and do many day-to-day things (shower, dress yourself, and climb stairs).
Someone whose scoliosis is very severe or who has other medical conditions might need a longer hospital stay. The care team will watch for and treat any complications (such as pneumonia, constipation, or trouble eating).
Pain after surgery is treated with over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medicines. Most teens take prescription medicine for less than 2 weeks to help with pain and muscle spasms. Over the next few weeks, they can take less pain medicine.
While you recover at home:
Your health care provider also will let you know when you can go back to school. Most teens go back about 2–3 weeks after the surgery. Your provider will review specific activity restrictions after surgery. You'll need to take a break from gym class and playing sports because the bones are still fusing. Let your teachers know if you'll need help at first, such as extra time to get through the hallways or a second set of schoolbooks to keep at home.
Sometimes teens will need physical therapy to complete their recovery. This usually starts about 4–6 weeks after surgery, and can continue for several months.
After about 6 months to a year, the bones should be fully fused. Although the metal rods are no longer needed, they'll be left in your back because they aren't doing any harm and taking them out would involve another operation.
After a full recovery, you can play sports again and do all the activities that you enjoyed before surgery.
Reviewed by: Suken A. Shah, MD, Bernadette Fulweiler, APN
Date Reviewed: Jan 15, 2022