L4-L5 Fusion: Success Rate and Recovery

Spinal fusion is a longstanding procedure that stabilizes the spine and helps alleviate symptoms of various spinal conditions. Though it may be done on virtually any part of the spine, fusion is commonly done on the L4-L5 segment of the lumbar spine. 

This article will explore the success rate, recovery process, and available alternatives for L4-L5 fusion. 

Table of Contents

What is L4-L5 Fusion Surgery?

L4-L5 fusion involves fusing the L4 and L5 vertebrae in the lumbar spine. It’s commonly performed to treat lumbar spine conditions including spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, disc degeneration, vertebral fractures, and herniated disc. 

The spine consists of four sections: the cervical spine (the neck), the thoracic spine (the mid-back), the lumbar spine (the lower back), and the sacral spine (directly above the tailbone). Each of the vertebrae of the spine has been assigned a letter and a number according to these sections. The lumbar spine includes the L1 through the L5 vertebrae. 

Spinal fusions are most commonly performed on the lumbar spine. Over 300,000 lumbar spine procedures are estimated to be performed in the United States each year. 

L4 L5 Fusion Surgery Overview

An L4-L5 fusion surgery overview involves the following steps:

  1. Make the incision.
  2. Access the L4-L5 spinal level.
  3. Remove the damaged disc material.
  4. Prep the disc space.
  5. Position the bone graft.
  6. Insert hardware, if required. 
  7. Close the incision.

The surgeon must make an incision to access the L4-L5 segment. The incision is made in the back, front, or side of the body, depending on the surgical approach. 

  • Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion requires an incision in the back. 
  • Anterior lumbar interbody fusion requires an incision in the abdomen. 
  • Extreme lateral interbody fusion requires an incision in the side of the body. 

After making the incision, the surgeon may need to separate the back muscles (in transforaminal lumbar fusion) or move the peritoneum aside (in anterior lumbar and extreme lateral interbody fusion). The peritoneum is the sac that surrounds the organs in the abdomen. 

With access to the L4-L5 level, the surgeon removes the damaged intervertebral disc. The empty disc space is then prepped and measured for the spacer, which contains bone graft material. 

Once ready, the spacer is inserted into the disc space. If necessary, it may be secured into place with hardware, like plates, rods, and screws. This hardware offers additional stability as the bone graft heals. 

With the bone graft anchored in place, it’s time to close the incision. The surgeon removes their instruments, returns the back muscles or peritoneum to their normal position, and uses sutures to close the incision. 

After L4-L5 fusion, you’ll wake up in the hospital’s recovery area. Most patients remain in the hospital for at least 24 hours after the procedure before returning home. In the hospital, a physical or occupational therapist will help you complete basic movements and advise you on activities to avoid during the recovery process. 

Spinal Fusion Recovery

Spinal fusion recovery occurs in stages, from the early postoperative period to the final phases of healing. 

  • Recovering in the hospital

You may need to remain in the hospital for up to four days after spinal fusion surgery. People who have an elevated risk of serious complications, like infections, may need to stay for even longer. While you’re in the hospital, your healthcare providers will continually check your pain levels, making sure the procedure was successful. You may also consult with a physical therapist to learn how to safely complete basic tasks, like standing, walking, and getting dressed. 

  • The first month

Upon returning home from the hospital, you’ll begin the healing process. During this early period, it’s crucial to follow all of your aftercare instructions, from caring for the wound to keeping your spine stable. You may also be prescribed medications for pain medications. 

During this time, you’ll have significant restrictions on your activities. You’ll be advised to avoid spinal bending and twisting, lifting any objects heavier than around eight pounds, and strenuous physical activity. You may also need to remain home from work for this entire period, if you have a physically active occupation. 

  • Five to nine weeks

In this phase, you’ll rely on physical therapy appointments to build muscle strength, regain flexibility, and support the recovery process. During this period, the vertebrae are actively fusing. Your PT will tell you which forms of exercise are safe, such as walking and water aerobics. 

After the first month of recovery from spinal fusion, you’ll gradually return to day-to-day chores and activities, including driving. However, you’ll need to keep steering clear of spinal bending, twisting, and heavy lifting. 

  • Three to six months

During this period, you’ll continue to regain strength and flexibility. The range of activities and exercises you can participate in will expand. Continue following your surgeon’s and PT’s guidance to avoid any motions or activities that could harm your spine. 

  • Six months to one year

After around six months, you’ll check in with your surgeon to ensure the vertebrae fused successfully. If everything looks good, you’ll be cleared to return to most of your normal activities, including non-extreme spinal twisting, bending, and lifting. 

  • One year and beyond

About a year after spinal fusion, most patients feel fully recovered, with complete relief from their back pain. You may have some permanent mobility restrictions at the fused level. 

How Long to Recover from L4-L5 Fusion?

It takes between six months and one year to fully recover from L4-L5 fusion. You may need four to six weeks to return to basic activities around the house after the procedure, and one to two months to return to work. 

If your job involves light physical activity, you may need to take three to six months off of work after L4-L5 fusion. Patients whose jobs require hard physical labor generally can’t return to those occupations after the procedure. 

Fusion requires such a lengthy recovery process because it involves bone healing. Bone tissue takes longer to heal than soft tissue. 

How to Wash Hair After Spinal Fusion Surgery on L4-L5?

To wash your hair after L4-L5 spinal fusion, use a hand-held shower head. If you don’t have one, bend at the knees and waist to fit your head under the shower head. Make sure not to arch your back to wash your hair after fusion, as doing so may strain your spine. 

Additionally, consider purchasing a long-handled shower brush before undergoing lumbar fusion. With this tool, you can wash all areas of your body without bending. Many fusion patients also benefit from using liquid soap after fusion to prevent having to pick up a fallen bar of soap. 

After L4-L5 spinal fusion, basic tasks like washing your hair may be extremely difficult. To combat this, take the following steps to prepare your home before the surgery:

  • Move items in your kitchen and bathroom off of the high shelves so that you won’t have to strain to reach them. 
  • Stock your kitchen with nutritious ready-made meals so that you don’t have to worry about cooking while you recover. 
  • Do all of your laundry and set out comfortable clothes to wear during the early stages of your spinal fusion recovery. 

What to Expect After L4-L5 Fusion?

After L4-L5, you can expect to stay in the hospital for two to three days. Additionally, expect to experience stiffness and soreness in the lower back. Your doctor will likely prescribe pain medication to ease discomfort in the first few days or weeks after the procedure. 

You’ll be advised to avoid lifting, bending, and twisting your spine for at least two weeks after L4-L5 fusion. Most patients are told to avoid lifting any objects heavier than five pounds for at least two weeks after spinal fusion. 

As aforementioned, expect to take four to six weeks off of work after L4-L5 fusion (or longer, if your occupation requires physical exertion). 

What is The Success Rate for L4-L5 Spinal Fusion?

The estimated success rate of lumbar spinal fusion is 45 to 55%. This rate can vary depending on the condition that the procedure’s used to treat. 

How Successful is Lumbar Fusion Surgery L4-L5?

Lumbar fusion surgery at the L4-L5 spinal segment is considered a long-standing and widely successful procedure. However, the success of L4-L5 fusion depends on both the fusion of the vertebrae and the patient’s symptom improvement. Spinal fusions rarely provide a total cure for the patient’s back and leg pain. 

Certain factors can reduce the chance of success in L4-L5 lumbar fusions. These factors include:

  • Smoking or using other nicotine products
  • Obesity
  • Osteoporosis
  • Some chronic conditions
  • Engaging in strenuous activities during the recovery process

What Are The Risks of L4-L5 Spinal Fusion?

The risks of L4-L5 spinal fusion include:

  • Failure of the bone to fuse
  • Hardware failure
  • Nerve injury
  • Adjacent segment disease
  • Lingering lower back pain
  • Need for reoperation

These risks accompany the risks associated with all surgical procedures, including infection at the surgical site, thrombosis, and complications from anesthesia. 

Pros and Cons of L4-L5 Fusion

While evaluating treatment options for lumbar spine conditions, it’s essential to consider the pros and cons of L4-L5 fusion. 

The pros of this procedure include:

  • Protection against instability

Surgical spinal decompression involves decompressing impinged nerves by removing spinal tissues. Unfortunately, this process can destabilize the spine, allowing the spinal structures to move abnormally. This creates the risk of degeneration and injuries. 

Fusion negates this risk by fusing the affected vertebrae, rendering them unable to move. This prevents abnormal movements and future injuries. 

  • Proper spinal alignment

L4-L5 fusion can restore proper spinal alignment in people with spinal deformities, like severe scoliosis.

  • Protection against spinal deformities

In fusing two or more vertebrae into a single, solid bone, spinal fusion prevents abnormal curvatures and deformities after decompression. Without fusion or another form of stabilization, patients are at risk of developing deformities, like a hunchback, after spinal surgery.   

  • Pain relief

In some people, L4-L5 fusion can provide lasting relief from conditions like spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis. The procedure prevents pain associated with instability after decompression.

The cons of L4-L5 spinal fusion include:

  • Invasive procedure

L4-L5 spinal fusion typically involves cutting through more muscle tissue to access the spine than decompression alone. Additionally, the surgeon may take a bone graft from another area of the patient’s body (like the pelvis) to complete the procedure. This process involves more incisions and increases the risk of complications compared to non-fusion procedures.  

  • Long recovery period and hospital stay

The full recovery period for spinal fusion is six to 12 months. Most patients require four to six weeks off of work after the procedure, as well a three to four-day hospital stay. 

  • Risk of failed fusion

The risk of failed spinal fusion is significant. With failed fusion syndrome, patients continue to experience pain after fusion and are unable to return to their normal activities. With pseudoarthrosis, the targeted vertebrae fail to fuse, often leading to recurrent pain. 

  • Reduced spinal mobility

The spinal fusion process eradicates all motion at the fused vertebra. Especially if more than two vertebrae are fused, this can reduce the patient’s ability to bend, twist, and flex the spine. This may limit your ability to participate in certain activities after fusion surgery. 

  • Risk of spinal degeneration

After fusion, the spinal levels above and below the fused segment will bear additional impact with day-to-day motions. This occurs because the mobile segments must compensate for the lack of motion at the fused segment. Unfortunately, this can lead to adjacent segment degeneration, meaning that the adjacent segments degenerate more rapidly than usual after fusion. 

The Best Modern Alternative for L4-L5 Fusion

The best modern alternative for L4-L5 fusion is an innovative non-fusion device, such as the TOPS System. The TOPS System is a mechanical device made to be implanted between the L2 and L5 segments. It’s most often used for lumbar stenosis, degenerative spondylolisthesis, and joint arthrosis.  

The TOPS System is the best modern alternative for L4-L5 fusion because it stabilizes the spine without eliminating the independent motion of the spinal segments. The device establishes a safe range of motion in the lumbar spine to preserve patients’ mobility. This is unlike spinal fusion, which eradicates the natural motion of the fused segments. 

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As an alternative to L4-L5 fusion, the TOPS System can also reduce the risk of adjacent segment disease (ASD). ASD is a potential complication of spinal fusion that occurs when the adjacent segments degenerate more rapidly due to the lack of movement in the fused segment. 

In one study, TOPS was found to provide clinical improvement and radiologic stability in patients with spinal stenosis and degenerative spondylolisthesis after seven years. Additionally, the TOPS System has earned approval and a superiority-to-fusion claim from the FDA for degenerative spondylolisthesis with lumbar spinal stenosis. 

If you’re suffering from symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, or related conditions, modern treatment options are at your disposal. Contact a local spine specialist to learn more.