A basic part of any spinal fusion is the bone graft. Bone grafting is used for many types of orthopedic procedures that require bones to heal. Bone grafting is used in two main ways during orthopedic procedures

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a type of progressive arthritis that leads to chronic inflammation of the spine and sacroiliac (SI) joints. AS primarily affects the axial skeleton, including the ligaments and joints. Inflammation due to AS can also affect other joints and organs in the body, such as the eyes, lungs, kidneys, shoulders, knees, hips, heart, and ankles. AS is a true “systemic” disease, meaning the problem causes changes throughout the body.

Your spine is one of the most important parts of your body. It gives your body structure and support. Without it you could not stand up or keep yourself upright. It allows you to move about freely and to bend with flexibility.

It is natural for the spine to curve forward and backward to a certain degree; this is what gives the side-view of the spine its “S”-like shape. But occasionally the spine twists and develops curves in the wrong direction-sideways. When the spine twists and develops an “S”-shaped curve that goes from side to side, the condition is known as scoliosis.

The word “idiopathic” means that the cause of this form of scoliosis is unknown. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis affects children between 10 and 18 years old. This form of scoliosis affects girls more than boys. In fact, girls are treated 10 times more often than boys. There are many theories as to why this type of scoliosis develops, but the root of the condition has yet to be discovered. Some of the theories include

Many cervical problems are due to degenerative changes that occur in the discs and joints of the neck. These changes commonly take place as a natural part of aging and from the affects of daily wear and tear on the parts of the spine. Degenerative changes in the neck sometimes lead to a serious condition where pressure is put on the spinal cord.

The cervical spine is made up of the first seven vertebrae in the spine. It starts just below the skull and ends just above the thoracic spine. The cervical spine has a lordotic curve, a backward “C”-shape-just like the lumbar spine. The cervical spine is much more mobile than both of the other spinal regions. Think about all the directions and angles you can turn your neck.

An anterior cervical fusion is performed through an incision in the front of the neck. An anterior cervical fusion is used