<P> Spinal fusion , 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 spinal fusion 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 . </P>
what does it mean to fuse the spine
a neurosurgical or orthopedic surgical technique that joins two or more vertebrae