<unk> , also called spondylodesis or spondylosyndesis, is a neurosurgical or orthopedic surgical technique that joins two or more vertebrae. This procedure can be performed at any level in the spine (cervical, thoracic, or lumbar) and prevents any movement between the fused vertebrae. There are many types of<unk>  and each technique involves using bone grafting—either from the patient (autograft), donor (allograft), or artificial bone substitutes—to help the bones heal together. Additional hardware (screws, plates, or cages) is often used to hold the bones in place while the graft fuses the two vertebrae together. The placement of hardware can be guided by fluoroscopy, navigation systems, or robotics.<unk>  is most commonly performed to relieve the pain and pressure from mechanical pain of the vertebrae or on the spinal cord that results when a disc (cartilage between two vertebrae) wears out (degenerative disc disease). Other common pathological conditions that are treated by<unk>  include spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, spondylosis, spinal fractures, scoliosis, and kyphosis. Like any surgery, complications may include infection, blood loss, and nerve damage.<unk>  also changes the normal motion of the spine and results in more stress on the vertebrae above and below the fused segments. As a result, long-term complications include degeneration at these adjacent spine segments.
Spinal fusion
Interbody fusion cage
Vertebral fixation
Spinal adjustment
Scalp reconstruction
Rib removal
Distraction osteogenesis
Intervertebral disc annuloplasty