Debridement of the spine
Debridement of the spine is a surgical procedure that is usually done when infection is present and, occasionally, after a traumatic injury to bone.
During this procedure, infected and damaged or dead bone is removed. The affected area is then cleaned with a sterile solution containing antibiotics. When large portions of bone or entire vertebrae must be removed to control infection, spinal fusion (arthrodesis) may be performed to stabilize the spine.
| Author | Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH |
| Author | Lila Havens |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Katy E. Magee, MA |
| Associate Editor | Michele Cronen |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Kathie Hummel-Berry, PT, PhD - Physical Therapy |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Robert B. Keller, MD - Orthopedics |
| Last Updated | February 15, 2006 |
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Last Updated:
February 15, 2006
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