When the spine needs to be stabilized, fusion can bring lasting relief — but it is not always the right first answer. Dr. Tyndall is a strong advocate for motion preservation, weighing options like disc replacement before recommending fusion, and reserving fusion for the cases that truly need it. When fusion is the answer, he performs it with minimally invasive, navigation-guided precision — and brings specific expertise to complex and revision cases.
Spinal fusion is a surgical procedure that permanently joins two or more vertebrae so they heal into a single, solid bone. By eliminating motion at a painful or unstable segment — much the way a cast lets a broken bone knit together — fusion can relieve pain and restore stability to the spine.
To create the fusion, Dr. Tyndall removes the worn or damaged disc and places a spacer (called a cage) packed with bone graft into the cleared disc space. This restores the height between the vertebrae and gives new bone a healthy bed to grow across. The segment is then secured with instrumentation — screws, rods, and the interbody cage — which holds everything in position while the bone fuses over the following weeks.
Fusion is used to stop painful motion or to stabilize a spine that has become unstable. It is a powerful, time-tested operation — but because it removes motion at the treated level, Dr. Tyndall reserves it for situations that genuinely require stabilization and always weighs motion-preserving alternatives first.
Fusion is the right choice when the spine needs to be stabilized or when motion at a segment is the source of pain. Common reasons Dr. Tyndall recommends a fusion include:
Dr. Tyndall prefers to preserve motion when a patient qualifies — and reserves fusion for cases that truly need stabilization. Choose an option to see when each is preferred.
When the problem is a worn or herniated disc but the spine is otherwise stable, an artificial disc can replace the damaged disc while keeping the segment moving naturally. This reduces stress on the levels above and below, lowering the risk of adjacent segment breakdown over time. As a motion-preservation advocate, this is the option Dr. Tyndall prefers when a patient is a good candidate.
When the spine is unstable, deformed, or has already failed a prior surgery, motion at the segment is the problem — and joining the vertebrae into one solid unit is the solution. Fusion stops the painful, unstable motion and rebuilds a stable foundation. This is the right answer for many patients, and Dr. Tyndall performs it minimally invasively whenever the anatomy allows.
Diagrams are simplified illustrations for education and are not exact anatomical depictions. Dr. Tyndall evaluates each patient individually to choose the approach with the greatest benefit and the least impact on natural function.
Some of the most challenging spine problems are in patients who have already had surgery and are still in pain. “Failed back surgery syndrome” sounds final, but it usually means one specific, correctable problem was missed or has developed since — and there is a reason worth finding. Dr. Tyndall brings specific expertise in complex and revision spine surgery, and the most important step is correctly identifying why the first surgery did not work.
The hardware stabilizes the spine immediately, but the bone itself fuses gradually — typically over about 6 to 12 weeks, confirmed on a follow-up X-ray, with continued maturing over the following months.
Timelines are typical ranges and vary with the number of levels treated and individual healing. Dr. Tyndall gives every patient a personalized recovery plan.
Fusion is usually considered after nonsurgical care — rest, medication, physical therapy, and injections — has not given enough relief, and when stabilization is genuinely needed. Check any that sound like you to see where you might stand. This is an educational tool, not a diagnosis.
Sudden severe weakness in a leg or arm, or loss of bladder or bowel control, can be a surgical emergency — seek care right away or call 911.
The surgeon you choose matters far more than any single technique. Dr. Tyndall pairs two decades of specialized experience with a motion-first philosophy and specific expertise in complex, revision cases.
If you have been told you may need a fusion — or want a second opinion after a prior surgery — Dr. Tyndall will review your imaging and explain whether fusion, a motion-preserving option such as disc replacement, or nonsurgical care is right for you. Call today to schedule your consultation.
(219) 250-5035Monday – Friday · 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
500 E. 109th Avenue
Crown Point, IN 46307
833 W. Lincoln Highway, Suite 110
Schererville, IN 46375