Study finds diabetes increases the risk of failure in spinal fusion procedures

Medical Xpress / University of Toledo / JBMR Plus ^ | June 13, 2024 | Tyrel Linkhorn / Claire Wilson et al

[ConservativeMind]

A study from orthopedic researchers has found lumbar spinal fusion procedures are far more likely to fail in individuals with diabetes.

In a spinal fusion procedure, surgeons use a combination of screws, rods and bone grafts to join two or more vertebrae together. As the area heals the bones should fuse solidly together, restricting motion and relieving pain.

Sometimes, however, the bones don't properly heal together. Surgeons call that a non-union complication, and it often leads to more pain and the need for additional, corrective surgery.

While a risk for everyone, individuals with diabetes are particularly susceptible.

In a study of more than 500 patients who underwent lumbar spinal fusion surgery between 2009 and 2017, researchers found individuals with diabetes were nearly three times more likely than those without diabetes to experience non-union complications.

Diabetic patients also were more than two times more likely to experience additional degeneration in adjacent segments of the spine after a spinal fusion procedure—another complication that usually requires extensive revision surgery.

"Diabetes is a metabolic disease, but it's also a bone disease," said Dr. Beata Lecka-Czernik.

"The bony samples from diabetic patients had much less developed structure, which means that even if the new bone formation happens, the quality of this new bone will be much worse," Lecka-Czernik said.

Spinal fusion is generally a last-resort treatment after physical therapy and pain management strategies have failed to bring relief. Even so, it's a common surgery.

Diabetes is an independent risk factor for lower back disc degeneration—one of the most common reasons for spinal fusion surgery.

Elgafy said surgeons do have some tools at their disposal to reduce the risk of failure in diabetic patients, such as ensuring A1C and blood glucose are well-controlled prior to and after the procedure.

[ConservativeMind]

Diabetics, seemingly those with any sugar or insulin issue not fully addressed, are three times more likely to have fusion complications and twice as likely to have extra degenerations in adjacent back segments.

Folks, if you have diabetic-type issues, it is very important to get your issues under control, if you want to have successful back surgery and a lower likelihood of extra fusions or disc replacements in your future.

It’s in all in your control.

[ConservativeMind]

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[jerod]

Apparently back pain can be a hereditary condition.

According to a recent study done by experts from the University of Utah, those who have an immediate family member who suffers from disc-related lower back pain are four times more likely to suffer from low back pain themselves. One of the most prevalent causes of persistent low back pain is disc damage.

My folks never had backpain and none of my three siblings have either, nor have I. Lucky I guess and of course none of us were ever involved in any serious accidents, but lots of people who've never been in accidents suffer from back pain. That sucks.

[Bobalu]

Thanks yet again for a useful post :-)