PATIENT INFORMATION
A Study Investigating Minimally Disruptive Motion Preservation for the Lumbar Spine. Learn more about this patient research study here.
Lumbar
Surgical Treatments
XLIF® − An innovative, lateral approach to lumbar fusion utilizing the NuVasive® unique MAS® platform of NeuroVision® Intraoperative Monitoring System, MaXcess® Surgical Access System, and CoRoent® implants. This minimally disruptive procedure allows the surgeon to perform conventional surgery techniques through a small incision, producing results that exceed traditional open approaches. The XLIF procedure does not require entry through sensitive back muscles, bones, or ligaments, resulting in less postoperative pain. It also allows for complete disc removal and implant insertion, compared with approaches from the back. Unike ALIF, where the surgeon enters from the front, the XLIF procedure offers the benefit of reducing the risk of vascular injury during the procedure.
PLIF − This procedure is performed through the middle back, which allows direct access to the area being treated. The downside is that this approach also requires significant disruption to the muscles, bones, and ligaments of the back, which can lead to pain and desensitization after surgery. It also requires the surgeon to work around sensitive neural tissue.
TLIF − This approach is similar to PLIF – the difference being that only one side of the back is accessed and affected. As with PLIF, significant disruption to the muscles, bones, and ligaments of the back can occur – although limited to one side of the back.
Traditionally, both the PLIF and TLIF approaches require significant muscle, bone, and ligament dissection and/or disruption, which can sometimes lead to pain and
desensitization of the back muscles after surgery.
ALIF − In this procedure, the spine is approached from the front of the body. This approach spares the back from trauma but requires delicate manipulation of the major blood vessels in front of the spine.
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Nate “Rock” Quarry is a paid spokesperson for NuVasive®, Inc.