Spinal Fusion in Pictures

One of the most common types of disability I see is spinal disc injury (it is also a common workers’ compensation injury). Many clients have had different types of spinal procedures designed to lessen back pain or nerve pain that radiates into arms or legs because the discs between the vertebrae impinge on the spinal cord. The below animation shows what a herniated disc looks like and what a fusion procedure might look like:

One of the interesting things about this video is the ending where it is revealed patients should not lift over ten pounds soon after undergoing this type of procedure. Administrative Law Judges often do not understand why claimants with this disability do not return to work performing work that requires significant lifting or bending, stooping, and squatting. Claimants needs to be able to explain how their range of motion or flexibility is affected by a procedure like this.

This article was written by Chip Permar