Lumbar fusion surgery is carried out when a patient needs to have motion stopped at a certain level of the lower spine. By stopping all movement in an area of the spine, pain generated from the joint should decrease, and other symptoms like leg pain should be relieved.
Spinal fusion involves adding a bone graft to part of the spine so that the vertebrae will grow and fuse together, allowing one fixed bone to eventually replace a mobile joint.
Extreme lateral lumbar fusion is also known as extreme lumbar interbody fusion, or XLIF. It is a minimally invasive technique where the surgeon gains access to the intervertebral disc spaces and vertebral bones via incisions made in the patient’s side rather than the back or abdomen.
It is used to treat a range of spinal disorders and is one of the best options for back pain surgery in NYC. This technique spares major muscles, bones, and ligaments in the back from being traumatized during surgery, and relieves pain in the back and legs. It is one of numerous techniques for spine surgery in NYC that delivers outstanding results. Computer-guided systems are now routinely used with these minimally invasive approaches.
You may be a good candidate for this surgery if you have the following:
Note that conditions at the lowest levels of the spine, L5-S1, (and for some, L4-L5) are not suitable for extreme lateral lumbar fusion.
This procedure is also not recommended for patients who have severe spondylolisthesis, who need direct nerve decompression, or for those who have scarring in the area behind the abdominal cavity from previous surgery.
If you need lumbar fusion surgery, you deserve experienced surgeons to provide comprehensive spine care. Dr. Ezriel Kornel and Dr. Krishn Sharma can help you overcome the pain of your condition. Please call (914) 351-3600 to schedule a consultation appointment today!
