DO I NEED A LATERAL LUMBAR INTERBODY FUSION?
A Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion (XLIF) is a procedure performed on the spine that aims to improve stability of the spine, reduce pain, or correct any spinal deformity. An XLIF approaches the spine from the side (lateral) of the body to remove the damaged disc in the lower back and replace it with a spacer and bone graft material. The bone graft material grows into the neighboring vertebrae to form a single bone.
An XLIF is used to address painful and debilitating disc problems in the lower back. Common spine conditions this minimally invasive procedure is used to treat include Disc Degeneration and bulging or herniated intervertebral discs. It can also be used to treat spinal stenosis, where the spinal canal narrows and pressurizes the spinal nerve roots.
The minimally invasive approach to Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion means your surgeon can perform your surgery without damaging major neural and vascular structures surrounding the spine. It reduces the risk of disc herniation or nerve injury, improves spinal alignment, and may alleviate your pain more effectively than traditional approaches.
If your Oasis specialist determines that your spine condition is not responding to non-surgical treatments, is getting worse, or is too severe to consider other options, you may need a Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion. Try our treatment finder tool below to see if Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion is the right treatment for you.
AM I A CANDIDATE FOR LATERAL LUMBAR INTERBODY FUSION?
At Oasis Orthopedic & Spine, we strive to ensure all conservative and non-surgical treatment options have been explored before turning to a minimally invasive surgical procedure to solve your pain. This means we never perform an unnecessary surgery.
Before considering a Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion, we evaluate the non-surgical treatments you have undergone and assess their effectiveness. If your spine condition is not improving or there is no response to non-surgical treatment, then you may need to review your candidacy for a Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion to alleviate your pain.
Candidacy for a Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion, to remove the damaged disc in your lower back and replace it with a spacer and bone graft material that grows into the neighboring vertebrae to form a single bone, can be determined by your Oasis spine specialist.
At Oasis Orthopedic & Spine, your conditions will be reviewed thoroughly. Your spine specialist may also review your existing x-rays or an MRI, or require new imagining. If you have a herniated disc or other condition causing low back pain that is limiting your mobility, you may be a good candidate for a minimally invasive spinal surgery called XLIF.
A Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion can help you get to your normal activity levels. If you have exhausted all non-surgical options without finding lasting relief from your pain, find out if you are a candidate for a Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion with our candidacy check tool below.