After having a spinal injury from an auto accident, my doctor wants to do fusion on my spine from the front and the back. Is this common?

There are various techniques for performing lumbar fusion surgery. It is important for the surgeon to consider what approach will allow the best decompression of neural structures, best placement of instrumentation or fusion materials, and restoration or maintenance of the normal saggital curve of the spine. The goals are to lessen the likelihood of pseudarthrosis or nonunion of the fusion, improve neurological function, and minimize the need for further surgery.