Back pain can be due to many causes. Among some of these are muscle or ligament strain, injury, a slipped disc, an improper mattress, and osteoporosis to name a few. One of the lesser-known reasons for back pain is something called spondylolisthesis. This condition occurs when one of the bones of the spine (otherwise known as a vertebra) slips out of place and onto the vertebra below. This usually happens in the lower (lumbar) region of the spine, although it can occur in other areas of the spine as well. Often times there are no symptoms, however, if the slipped bone compresses a nearby nerve, the result can be pain in the back and other areas of the body.

A spinal fusion procedure is an in-patient surgery where two spinal vertebrae are fused together in order to correct a spinal deformity, reduce pain, or promote stability. Here we will discuss the basic information regarding the need for this procedure, how it’s done, risks and complications, and what to expect after the surgery.