Transforaminal Lumbar interbody fusion surgery

Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion surgery is a kind of fusion spine surgery that is performed on the lower back of the spine to remove the intervertebral disc and fuse two or more spine vertebrae/ spine bones. The Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion surgery involves the decompression of the nerves in the lower back, removal of a facet joint, removal of the intervertebral disc, the fusion of the spine using a cage (Usually termed as interbody cage), and stabilization of the disc level by inserting screws in the adjacent spinal bones.

Potential advantages of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion surgery

The potential benefits of this interbody fusion surgery are

Small incision size
Less disruption to adjacent muscle tissues
Reduction of back pain, pain in legs, numbness, tingling, and weakness
Stabilization of the unstable spine
Improved lower back and leg functionality
Reduction of medication intake
Improved quality of life

The treatment procedure of the TLIF surgery

The transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion surgery is done to stabilize the spine by removing the intervertebral disc and restricting the movement between the spinal segment. The bone graft placed in the disc space heals in a few months resulting in the fusion of vertebrae together stabilizing the spine.

To do so, an incision is made in the back and part of the vertebrae is removed to access the damaged disc. Once the surgeon gets to access the damaged disc, it is removed and a bone graft is placed in this space. The bone graft aligns with the vertebrae and starts to fuse with the adjacent bones. Additional support is provided with the help of screws and rods. The bone graft will grow through the implant which forms a connection between the upper and the lower vertebrae and this solid bone bridge is known as fusion.

Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion surgery is an inpatient surgery and the patient is usually allowed to go back home within 2-3 days and in some cases, patient might require to stay in the hospital for 4-5 days. The patients can start with all the normal activities within 2-3 weeks post-surgery.

Risks and complications of Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion surgery

This fusion surgery is a safe procedure yet some complications can be observed by a small fraction of patients. Some of the risks and complications associated with Transforaminal Lumbar interbody Fusion surgery may include-

No improvement in the symptoms
Infection
Worsening pain, tingling, or weakness
Blood transfusion
Blood clots in the wound area
Cerebral fluid leak
Repetitive nerve compressions
Injury to bowel or blood vessels
Nerve damage
Deterioration of the adjacent disc

If you have been advised to undergo the Transforaminal Lumbar interbody Fusion surgery by your doctor, then get a second opinion from another neurosurgeon and be well informed about all the available options and corresponding risks associated with each procedure.

Dr. Arun Rajeswaran

Consult Dr. Arun with a professional experience of more than 13 years in the field of Neurosurgery

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