Educational overview. Not medical advice.
Lumbar fusion is a common orthopedic procedure aimed at alleviating chronic back pain. In Passaic, NJ, a stable population of approximately 70,868, with a median age slightly younger than the national average, drives demand for this surgery due to high rates of labor-intensive occupations and an active lifestyle.
Passaic Overview
Passaic is served by several healthcare facilities, including St. Mary's General Hospital and the nearby Hackensack Meridian Health system. While there are no academic medical centers directly in Passaic, residents often rely on tertiary centers in neighboring areas for specialized orthopedic care.
Dominant commercial insurers in Passaic include Aetna and Blue Cross Blue Shield, with Medicare penetration slightly above the national average. This is significant as it influences access to lumbar fusion surgery, ensuring that more residents can receive necessary orthopedic interventions.
Active Lifestyle: Many residents engage in physical activities that can lead to back injuries. Labor-Intensive Jobs: A significant portion of the workforce is involved in jobs requiring heavy lifting. Transportation Access: Well-connected public transport facilitates access to care. Rehabilitation Resources: Availability of rehab facilities supports recovery.
Lumbar fusion involves joining two or more vertebrae to reduce pain and improve stability. Popular variations include anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) and posterior lumbar fusion (PLF), each suited for specific conditions and patient needs.
Patients often consider lumbar fusion after exhausting non-surgical options like physical therapy, medications, or injections. Alternatives include Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), stem cell therapy, and adipose allografts, which can provide pain relief without surgery.
The typical lumbar fusion procedure starts with an incision, followed by preparation of the affected joint. Surgeons then place implants to stabilize the spine, ensuring proper alignment and closure of the incision.
Recovery generally spans several weeks, beginning with pain management and immobilization. Patients gradually progress to motion exercises, strengthening, and eventually returning to daily activities as healing allows.
Patients commonly compare options based on experience, logistics, and rehabilitation coordination. TopOrthoDocs serves as an educational search platform, emphasizing that more procedure experience often correlates with safer surgeries and smoother recoveries.
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