When Green Bay Packers tight end Jermichael Finley suffered a serious spinal contusion, many wondered whether his football career was over. Finley, who compared the injury to a bad car accident that shocked his spine, was admitted into a hospital, where he remained for several days. After seeking advice from several specialists, he opted for spinal fusion surgery.
Spinal fusion surgery uses bone grafts to lock two or more vertebrae together in an attempt to increase spinal stability and/or relieve pain. This fusion process happens gradually over a matter of months.
As a result of the spinal fusion surgery, Finley is now cleared to continue his football career less than a year removed from the injury without increased risk of spinal damage.
Obviously you don’t have to be a professional athlete to require a spinal fusion. The surgery is also a used to treat patients with spondylolisthesis, scoliosis, or degenerative disc disease.
To learn more, contact our experienced orthopedic spine surgeon, Dr. Jonathan Stieber, at his New York office.
