DO I NEED AN ANTERIOR LUMBAR INTERBODY FUSION?
An Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion is a surgical procedure that approaches the spine from the front (anterior) of the body. The general goals of an ALIF procedure are to restore stability in the spine, reduce pain, or correct any spinal deformity. This is done by removing the damaged spinal disc and replacing it with bone graft material to “fuse” the two adjacent vertebrae together. The fusion is created by the bone graft material growing to encompass the neighboring vertebrae forming a single bone.
An ALIF is used to treat a number of frustrating and painful disc-related spine conditions that are typically characterized by instability in the lower spine, unhealthy discs, or pressure on either nerve roots or spinal cord. Common spine conditions treated by Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion include:
- Disc Degeneration
- Scoliosis
- Foraminal Stenosis
- Herniated Disc
- Spinal Stenosis
If you are suffering from a painful spine condition that is not improving, you may need Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion. Try our treatment finder tool below to see if Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion is the right treatment for you.
AM I A CANDIDATE FOR ANTERIOR LUMBAR INTERBODY FUSION?
In some situations, a diagnosed spine condition may not respond to conservative, non-surgical treatments, or some spine conditions may be too severe to consider these less invasive treatment options. If your spine condition falls into this category, your Oasis spine specialist may recommend an Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion.
There are different factors you Oasis spine specialist assess to determine if you qualify for an Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion. These factors commonly include:
- Your medical history
- Your specific spine diagnosis
- The progression of your spine condition
- Medical imaging such as an MRI or x-ray
At Oasis Orthopedic & Spine, an Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion can be performed as a minimally invasive spine surgery by using a small incision and gently moving aside the soft tissues and muscles in your body rather than cutting through them like in traditional back surgeries. The minimally invasive surgical techniques preferred by the orthopedic surgeons at Oasis Orthopedic & Spine are less taxing on the body, require less time in the hospital, and offer faster recoveries.
Like all surgical treatments performed at Oasis Orthopedic & Spine, we want you to be able to return to your normal activity level without pain or other troublesome symptoms. If your spine condition is not responding to non-surgical, conservative treatments, find out if you qualify for Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion with our candidacy check tool below.