Spine Procedures
Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF)
Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF) surgery treats lower spine instability and/or degenerative disc disease. Anterior means "in the front", so in other words, the surgeon approaches the spine through the abdomen rather than from the back. The surgeon removes the diseased disc and inserts bone graft materials and/or spacers made of metal or other materials. Ultimately, bone also grows through/around the spacer and fuses (joins or becomes one with) the vertebra. Sometimes a metal plate is also placed over the front of the disc space to help hold the spacer and graft in place. By restoring the height of the disc space and stabilizing the spine, pressure on the nerves can be relieved and potentially lessens pain.