Educational overview. Not medical advice.
Lumbar fusion is a common orthopedic procedure aimed at alleviating pain and improving function in the lower back. In Peoria, AZ, with a population of about 162,592 and a median age above the national average, the demand for orthopedic services is driven by active lifestyles and an aging demographic. Seasonal activity fluctuations and sports-related injuries contribute to interest in lumbar fusion.
Peoria Overview
Peoria is served by hospitals like Banner Health and Dignity Health. While there are no academic medical centers in the city, residents often rely on facilities in nearby Phoenix for specialized orthopedic care, ensuring access to advanced surgical options.
In Peoria, major insurers include Blue Cross Blue Shield and Aetna, with Medicare coverage being more prevalent than the national average. This impacts access to joint replacement and surgical options, with the VA also influencing local healthcare dynamics.
Active Lifestyles: Many residents engage in physically demanding jobs and activities, increasing back injury risks.
Occupational Hazards: Jobs in construction and manufacturing often lead to chronic back pain, driving the need for surgery.
Climate Influences: The warm climate encourages outdoor activities, which can result in injuries needing surgical solutions.
Access to Rehabilitation: A robust network of rehabilitation services supports recovery, making lumbar fusion a viable option.
Lumbar fusion involves joining two or more vertebrae in the lower back to stabilize the spine and relieve pain. Variations include anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) and posterior lumbar fusion (PLF), tailored to the patient's condition.
Patients typically consider lumbar fusion after exhausting non-surgical options like physical therapy and injections. Non-surgical alternatives may include Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and stem cell therapy.
The procedure begins with an incision to access the spine, followed by preparation of affected joints. Surgeons place implants to stabilize the vertebrae, ensuring proper alignment before closing the incision.
Recovery usually involves pain management and immobilization for the first weeks, followed by gradual motion and strengthening exercises, allowing patients to return to normal activities over months.
Patients compare options based on the surgeon's experience with lumbar fusion, facility logistics, and rehabilitation coordination. TopOrthoDocs serves as an educational platform to assist in this process, as greater experience can lead to safer surgeries.
No referrals or endorsements are provided.
Use of this site does not create a physician-patient relationship.
Find the best doctor for your procedure: https://www.toporthodocs.com
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