Spinal fusion surgery in Paramus, NJ may be considered when instability, degeneration, or nerve pressure continues to affect your function. Dr. Peter A. Zahos reviews your symptoms and imaging before determining whether surgery is medically necessary.
Neurosurgical Experience
Imaging + Symptoms
Reviewed Together
Surgery Only
When Medically Necessary
Dr. Zahos is a board-certified neurosurgeon with more than 30 years of experience treating complex spinal and cranial conditions. His background includes leadership roles at Cleveland Clinic Florida, JFK Medical Center, Geisinger Health System, and Jacobi Medical Center.
Patients considering fusion need more than a procedure recommendation. They need to understand what is causing their pain or weakness, whether the spine is unstable, and what surgery could realistically accomplish. Dr. Zahos bases that decision on the patient’s symptoms, examination, imaging, and ability to function.
Patients from Paramus and surrounding communities receive individualized evaluations for cervical and lumbar conditions that may require stabilization. You can meet Dr. Peter A. Zahos and learn more about his neurosurgical training and conservative-first philosophy.
This video walks through lumbar fusion surgery, where two or more vertebrae in the lower back are joined to stabilize the spine and reduce pain. It shows how the damaged disc is addressed, how bone graft material is placed between the vertebrae, and how screws and rods hold everything steady while the bones heal and grow together into a single, solid segment.
Source: Veritas Health
“Dr. Zahos made me feel completely at ease with his compassionate bedside manner and thorough explanation of the procedure. His surgery coordinator, Kerry, was equally caring and professional.” — Miriam Odar
This experience reflects the importance of clear communication before spine surgery. Patients should know why a procedure is being considered, how it relates to their symptoms, and what questions still need to be answered.
Patients often describe Dr. Zahos as thorough, compassionate, calm, and honest when explaining complex medical concerns.
Paramus has a substantial older population, with residents age 65 and older making up 26.2% of the borough. The average commute is about 31 minutes. For someone considering spinal fusion, questions about walking, driving, work, and independence can matter as much as the findings on an MRI.
This is not a one-size-fits-all recommendation. Some patients come in after ongoing back or neck pain. Others are concerned about leg symptoms, arm symptoms, balance, or reduced mobility. At Level One Neurosurgery, the goal is to connect those concerns with the clinical findings and reach a clear decision.
Lumbar fusion may be used to stabilize part of the lower spine when degeneration, vertebral slippage, deformity, or multilevel instability is linked to persistent symptoms and loss of function. When nerve compression is also present, fusion may be combined with a lumbar laminectomy to relieve pressure on the affected nerves before the segment is stabilized.
Significant disc degeneration can contribute to pain or instability, but an evaluation is needed to determine whether degenerative disc disease treatment should remain conservative or include surgery.
When one vertebra shifts in relation to another, Dr. Zahos evaluates the degree of slippage, nerve pressure, symptoms, and stability before discussing spondylolisthesis treatment in Paramus.
