An assistant from the Spine Center will contact you to schedule the operation. A clinic appointment will be scheduled within a month of the operation date. During the appointment:
The orthopedic surgeon will go over the details of the operation and address your questions or concerns.
X-rays will be obtained if there are no recent films or if additional films are needed.
The patient will be evaluated by the anesthesiologist, who will discuss managing pain both during and after the operation. A general anesthetic is required for spinal fusion. An epidural catheter, a thin flexible tube, may be inserted in the back at the conclusion of the operation to help control pain.
A blood sample will be drawn for analysis, including a blood count.
A nurse will take you through the hospital admissions and discharge procedures.