What Is Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion?

This complex surgery stabilizes the lower spine by fusing two or more lumbar vertebrae. The posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) procedure is used to treat intractable back or leg pain resulting from certain degenerative conditions. This type of spinal fusion requires the neurosurgeon to reach the vertebrae from the back (posterior) of the patient.

What Conditions Does Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion Treat?

Back or leg pain caused by certain conditions might be greatly improved by Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion:

• Spondylolisthesis — one vertebral disc slipping onto another
• Scoliosis — a sideways curvature of the spine
• Spinal stenosis — narrowing of the spinal canal
• Kyphosis — curvature of the spine resulting in a rounding of the back
• Discopathy — disease of the disc
• Herniated discs
• Spine fractures
• Other degenerative disc diseases

PLIF may be recommended for chronic, severe lower back pain that is not improved by more conservative treatments such as medications, back braces or physical therapy.

Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF) Treatments at NSPC

At Neurological Surgery, P.C. (NSPC) our multi-disciplinary team of medical professionals work together to give you expert spine care. Considered one of New York region’s leading neurosurgical practice, NSPC performs the latest minimally invasive and open procedures for common disorders such as spinal stenosis and herniated discs, to serious spinal conditions that include spinal deformities and spinal tumors.

For the PLIF procedure, a three- to six-inch incision is made on the lower back. A board-certified neurosurgeon partially removes the problematic lumbar disc and bone grafts are inserted. Additional support screw and rods (specialized instrumentation) stabilize the spine and prevent disc slippage. The body will grow bone around the implants forming a bridge of bone. This fuses the two discs together, maintaining vertebral height and providing spine stability, potentially alleviating severe pain. This complex surgery also can help reduce muscle weakness or numbness.

There are a few different types of spinal fusion grafts depending on the condition that needs to be treated. These grafts can include:

• Autograft fusion – a piece of the patient’s own bone, typically taken from the hip, is used.
• Allograft fusion – a piece of cadaver bone is used for the bone graft.
• Synthetic (artificial) graft fusion – manufactured materials and natural bone are used.