Minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion — advantages
The lumbar (lower) portion of the spine is particularly susceptible to spine conditions because this area undergoes so much stress from supporting the upper body and remaining flexible enough for movement. In fact, most people by the age of 70 will have some form of lower back condition, such as spondylosis or spondylolisthesis, which results from the natural aging process of the spine.
If you have a spine condition that causes you pain and discomfort in your lower back, you should consider all options to treat your condition and find lasting relief. Conservative methods of treatment are a good option for people with mild conditions, but they don’t always deliver lasting relief to the patients who attempt them. For patients who have exhausted other methods of treatment, spine surgery can relieve nerve compression in the lumbar spine at the source, which can offer the best chance of long-term relief for qualified patients.
As you research the surgical options available to treat lumbar spine conditions, we encourage you to reach out to the caring team at Laser Spine Institute with any questions. Our goal is to help keep you informed so you can make the best treatment decision for your needs and your lifestyle.
Overview of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) surgery
For patients who are recommended for spine surgery, a traditional open back fusion surgery may come to mind. Traditional open back fusion surgery tends to be a confusing and slightly scary thought for most people because this treatment is often associated with long hospital stays, extended recovery times and often less-than-desired postoperative results.
Fortunately, traditional open back fusion is not your only option for surgical treatment for lumbar spine conditions. At Laser Spine Institute, we saw the need for a safer and effective alternative to traditional open back surgery.^ Our minimally invasive spine surgery, including minimally invasive stabilization procedures, has a lower risk of complication and shorter recovery time* compared to traditional procedures.
One of the stabilization procedures we offer for lumbar spine conditions is our transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion surgery. Unlike traditional open back procedures that require a large muscle-disrupting incision in the back, our TLIF surgery is performed through a small muscle-sparing incision on the side. Upon accessing the spine, the surgeon will remove the spinal anatomy that is causing instability and nerve compression, and implant stabilizing material to fuse together the surrounding vertebral segment.
Advantages of minimally invasive TLIF surgery over traditional open back fusion
Traditional open back fusion is performed in a hospital setting, which requires you to have an extended postoperative stay in the hospital of two to five days, depending on the type of surgery performed. During the procedure, the surgeon will cut a large incision down the back, also cutting through muscles and soft tissues. This results in a longer recovery time and a large scar down your back, along with increased risk of complications such as infection and complication.
With our minimally invasive spine surgery, Laser Spine Institute can offer the following advantages:
| No lengthy recovery^ Patient satisfaction score of 98^ | Board-certified surgeons+ Less than 1-inch incision | Outpatient procedure 98 out of 100 patient recommendation rate^ |
Our patients at Laser Spine Institute receive the best patient-centered care in a compassionate atmosphere. We have a patient satisfaction score of 98 and patient recommendation score of 98 out of 100 out of 100. ^ Contact a member of our caring and dedicated team to learn more about our facilities and procedures.
We’ll be happy to provide a free MRI or CT scan* to determine if you are a potential candidate for one of our procedures.
