What Is Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion?
Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) is a type of spinal fusion surgery. Patients typically undergo this type of surgery to treat a number of back problems that cause them to have pain in their vertebrae. During this procedure, a surgeon usually fuses two adjoining vertebrae together with the use of a bone graft. This procedure has some potential risks, and may not be appropriate for all patients with back problems. Physicians may recommend a posterior lumbar interbody fusion surgical procedure for some patients with spondylosisthesis, spinal stenosis, or degenerative disc disease. Individuals with scoliosis or a fractured bone in the spine may also receive this type of spinal treatment in some instances. Patients with some types of infections and tumors in the spine may also undergo a posterior lumbar interbody infusion.
