When fractured bones or weakened joints enable a vertebra to shift and pinch a nerve root, resulting in pain radiating down the legs, spinal fusion may be considered a viable treatment option.

During the procedure, the surgeon makes a small incision to first remove the lamina (the part of the affected vertebra covering the spinal cord) to relieve pain and pressure. Then, any bone that is pinching the nerve is taken out and bone graft is put in to fuse with the spine. Rods also are inserted and screwed to the spine to hold it in place while the grafts turn into solid bone and prevent discs from slipping.