Pseudoarthrosis is a false joint literally. It is a failure of the bone healing process. Motion occurs at the spot where bone healing was to occur. If your pain is due to a nonunion or pseudoarthrosis, the options are to live with it or fix it.

Living with it involves activity modification, aerobic conditioning to increase trunk muscle strengthening, corset during peak activity hours, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, pain medications sparingly, anti-depressant medicines as needed and a good support system – all depending on the severity of symptoms.

Fixing it would involve instrumentation and autologous bone grafts at the level of the pseudoarthrosis. The possibilities are: anterior/posterior surgery with bone graft using autologous graft; secure fixation with interbody spacers; pedicle instrumentation and interbody spacers; and electrical bone stimulators.