Spinal Fusion (Back Surgery) (Surgery to join two bones in the spine)

Threshold

Norfolk and Suffolk Integrated Care Board will only fund this procedure if at least one of the following criteria can be met:

• Severe spinal pathology (e.g. neoplasm, infection or osteoporotic collapse)
• Degenerative Scoliosis
• Sacroiliac joint dysfunction*

AND

• BMI <40

Spinal fusion is also appropriate during spinal decompression surgery for nerve compression where more significant exposure is required and the spine would be more unstable without fusion

*Causes of sacroiliac joint dysfunction may include degenerative sacroiliitis, osteoarthritis, SI joint disruptions from trauma or pregnancy, problems after lumbar spinal fixation techniques; as outlined by NICE interventional procedure guidelines IP 1193 [IPG578], 2016.

Cases for Individual Funding Consideration (Patients who do not meet the policy criteria)

On a case to case basis, patients might be eligible for this intervention, in consideration of their exceptionality. The requesting clinician must provide information to support the case for being considered an exception, by submitting an individual funding request.