Fusion 'should not be first choice after spinal injury'RSS Feed

Spinal fusion should not be the first choice of treatment of spinal injury, according to one expert.

Dr Kenneth Light of San Francisco says that spinal fusion should be seen as a last resort as the results of the procedure have not improved in 60 years.

This comes after Dr Light performed a spinal fusion reversal on a 40-year-old patient who had suffered years of pain after having a spinal injury years ago.

"Spinal fusion has several disadvantages including a variable loss of range of movement in the treated areas and in many cases, recurring pain and ironically, further damage to the spine," he said.

This comes after news that twelve spinal injury patients in New Zealand will have a transplant of tissue from their nose to the site of spinal injury in a new trial to see whether olfactory cells could help those with debilitating conditions.

News by Serious Law. Expert legal assistance for those affected by spinal injury.

Posted by Paul Breen
 

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