Originally Posted By: cemc
Just found an interesting article about radiological changes at http://radiology.rsna.org/content/258/1/192.full

Interestingly, they say the following about fusion:

" Progression to complete spinal fusion was seen in only 34 (27.9%) of 122 patients with a disease duration between 30 and 40 years (mean age, 56.1 years ± 7.1 [standard deviation]) and in only 46 (42.6%) of 108 patients with a disease duration of 40 or more years (mean age, 65.6 years ± 8.4)."

So even after a very long follow up its quite clear that fusion isn't inevitable.


What do they mean by complete spinal fusion? Do they mean the whole spine or just any number of vertebrae?

Originally Posted By: drizzit


agree. I went through a 3 year period when my neck would not move side to side at all and was very stiff and painful. Doc did an xray and no fusion of any kind. Today my neck moves fine and still no fusion


How did you gain your ROM back?