Brief Answer: Holding the vertebrae together Detailed Answer: Hi and thank you so much for this query. I am so sorry to hear about this severe pain you have in your hips. From the information you have provided, this is probably caused a problem in the lower back that projects this pain to the hips. I am sure your doctors found out that a problem with these vertebrae is responsible for this pain. Fusion would in a way glue the vertebrae to each other thus preventing uncontrolled movements/istability that is probably at the origin of this pain. Anterior here simply means that the surgeon would do this coming from the front(anterior) and not the back(posterior). if the indication is justified like an unstable spine fracture, degenerative disc disease, etc then the results often bring about a marked reduction in the pains and improve the quality of life. If you are interested in more literature, you can take a look at this article but the above information is enough for any patient to have an idea of what would be done and the benefits. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/os.12048/pdf I hope you find this helpful. I wish you well in all you do. If you do accept this procedure, which I think the doctor must have made a well thought decision to do so, I wish you the very best of all possible outcomes. Thanks for using our services and do feel free to request for more information if need be. Dr. Ditah, MD.

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