Spine Procedures
Posterior Lumbar Fusion (PLF)
Posterior Lumbar Fusion (PLF) approaches spinal instability from the back of the spine. In this procedure, nothing is done to the disc space. The fusion occurs on the bone surfaces on the back of the vertebrae. The surgeon may remove bone to clear space for the nerves. The remaining surfaces of the bone are prepared in a manner to advance the probability that the bones will fuse. The patient's bone, which is removed during the procedure, and other bone or non-bone materials are placed on the surfaces where fusion is to occur. The surgeon typically uses screws inserted into the vertebrae, and connected by rods, to maintain proper orientation and stability while the bones fuse.