Might additional fusion be required?
Your doctor will be able to tell you what outcome is expected in your case.
Spinal fusion surgery is typically a successful procedure. Statistically, a fusion is obtained in 70% to 90% of cases, patients with single-level disc pathology having a better chance for a positive outcome, than patients with multiple degenerated discs.
Most patients who decided to undergo this procedure in our hospital have been discharged with a positive prognosis and managed to obtain the desired outcome. However, it is possible not to obtain a solid fusion following ALIF. If fusion isn’t achieved, the patient might require another surgery. Spinal fusion is typically an efficient procedure for fractures, deformities, instability or fractures of the spine.
Immobilizing a section of the spine places extra stress and strain around the fused portion in some cases leading to the degeneration of those areas of the spine, requiring additional spinal fusion.
Source: https://www.cedars-sinai.edu/