Spine Procedures
Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF)
Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF) approaches spinal instability and/or degenerative disc disease from the back of the spine. During this operation, the surgeon removes the bone from the back of the vertebra, thereby opening a "window" into the space between the vertebrae. The surgeon also removes bone to free up the nerve roots. The surgeon typically removes the degenerated disc and inserts bone graft materials and/or spacers made of metal or other materials into the disc space. The surgeon also uses screws inserted into the vertebrae, and connected by rods, to maintain proper orientation and stability while the bones fuse.