TLIF

A modern approach to spinal fusion surgery is transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF). It is a procedure that involves removing an intervertebral disc and utilizing screws and a cage to link two or more spinal bones (vertebrae) together in the lower back.

A TLIF has significant advantages over both a posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) and a posterolateral instrumented fusion, which are alternative surgical methods. These benefits will be explained further down.

A spinal fusion is a surgical procedure that stabilizes the vertebrae in the spine as well as the disc or shock absorber between them. Lumbar fusion surgery aims to fuse the neighboring vertebrae together, preventing movement between them. The surgery's purpose is to alleviate pain and nerve irritation.