What is a LIF procedure?
I had had a fusion procedure in the past and am now having a lot of pain where my hardware is.
An orthopedic surgeon told me I need back surgery and he has suggested using the pedicle screw. What are your thoughts on this type of screw?
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In the 1960s, various spine instrumentation systems began to emerge beginning with the Harrington Rod system for the treatment of scoliosis and spinal fractures. In the early 1980s we saw the first segmental pedicle screw fixation systems emerge using spine plates and/or rods.
Julie Blanco |
For the first time, each individual vertebra could be stabilized and locked together thereby eliminating motion and dramatically improving the fusion rates. Orthopedic surgeons learned a great deal from the treatment of extremity fractures treatment with plates and screws. The same principles were applied to the spine. Eventually, spine fusion cages were added to the disc space to further stabilize the fusion additionally improving the fusion and success rates. Today, new techniques in spinal fusion surgery coupled with a variety of high tech screws, rods, and cages are available. These advancements, along with synthetic bone fusion products can ensure a spinal fusion in 90% of the cases.
We have also learned that the best location to perform a spinal fusion is in the intervertebral disc space. Hollow fusion cages made of various materials are available to act as a shim to mechanically support the disc space allowing the fusion to take place. Bone graft or other bone fusion products are placed inside of the fusion cages prior to their insertion into the disc space. Placing a cage into the disc space is called a lumbar interbody fusion (LIF) and can be performed from the backside (PLIF), the front side (ALIF), sideways (XLIF), and a posterior lateral approach (TLIF).
In short, if a spinal fusion needs to be performed, we know how to perform the procedure with a high degree of fusion success rates. This is the procedure performed by the majority of spinal surgeons today, especially if a laminectomy is also performed. Where there is increasing controversy is when a spine fusion surgery necessary? There is not always agreement.
Spinal Fusion With Instrumentation can treat the following conditions:
