Spinal fusion (lumbar spine, for treatment of spondylolisthesis)

During a spinal fusion, your surgeon permanently joins two or more vertebrae in your spine. The vertebrae will grow together to form a single, solid bone. Spinal fusion is commonly performed in the neck and lower back, and it may be used to correct a wide range of problems in the spine. Fusion in the lumbar spine can be used to correct spondylolisthesis, which is a condition in which weakened joints or fractured bones have allowed a vertebra to slip forward and pinch a nerve root.