From the Journals

Lumbar Fusion: Two Decades of Change

Investigators find rising use of complex lumbar fusion procedures and increasing hospital costs in the US.

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  • 1

    Hospital costs for lumbar fusion rose significantly from $3.86B to $14.1B (2002-2023).

  • 2

    274,750 lumbar fusion procedures were performed in

  • 3

    Multilevel and AP fusions became more common, while single-level fusions declined.

  • 4

    Procedural complexity increased; costs varied by complexity.

  • 5

    Scoliosis and spinal stenosis fusion rates surged, disc degeneration cases decreased.

  • 6

    Study highlighted the lack of clinical detail in administrative data.

  • 7

    Further investigation is needed into multilevel and AP fusion outcomes.

Original Source(s)

Lumbar Fusion: Two Decades of Change

  • by Kathryn Wighton

  • March 19, 2026

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