What are the risks after spondylodesis?
In the case of a spondylodesis it cannot be ruled out that complications will occur, even if they are rare. The risks include problems that generally occur after major surgery, such as nausea, vomiting and pain. General anesthesia puts a strain on the cardiovascular system and in rare cases it can lead to a heart attack or circulatory failure.
The surgical wound can become infected and heal poorly. In addition, the restricted movement after the operation increases the risk of thrombosis. During the operation and the first hours after the operation, the patient wears a urinary catheter through which germs can rise and lead to urinary tract infections.
The removal of the intervertebral discs and the fixation of the vertebral bodies can damage the nerves and the spinal cord. In most cases, the damaged nerve recovers after the operation, but in serious cases the nerve damage can also lead to paralysis and sensory disturbances. In the area of the spine, large vessels such as the aorta and vena cava run along the spinal cord, which can be injured by the operation.
A further risk of the operation is the development of pseudarthrosis. This is a “false joint”, which is caused by the failure of the stiffened vertebrae to grow together and causes pain. In such a case, the patient must undergo another operation.
Due to the stiffening, the adjacent areas of the spine are put under increased strain, which can lead to irritation and again to severe back pain. In addition, the inserted screws may loosen or break through the vertebrae, causing the patient to suffer severe pain and have to undergo surgery again. A complication of spondylodesis is the loosening of screws.
In this case, the screws can either shift forward or break through the vertebra. The main cause of screw loosening is insufficient adhesion of the connected vertebral bodies. As the mobility continues, the screws loosen and cause pain. Older women have a higher risk of screw loosening, since osteoporosis often leads to the degradation of bone material.This makes the screws unstable and can loosen. In case of screw loosening, patients have to undergo a further procedure in which the screws are reattached.
