MINIMALLY INVASIVE XLIF
What is minimally invasive XLIF?
A collapsed disc can put extra pressure on the nerves surrounding your spinal column, causing chronic pain. Disc issues may also interfere with your mobility, making it difficult to walk or sit comfortably, especially for long periods of time.
Extreme lateral interbody fusion (XLIF) is a minimally invasive surgical procedure developed to treat vertebral discs that collapse due to degenerative disease. The goal of surgery is to stabilize the spinal column by removing the affected disc and replacing it with a synthetic spacer or bone graft materials.
To access the disc, the doctors use specialized surgical techniques to access the damaged disc from the side through a small incision near the pelvis rather than through your back. This eliminates additional trauma to your back muscles and allows for a faster healing time.
The doctors also use live monitoring technology to get a better look at the surgical area and prevent additional injury to the spine, such as nerve damage.
Why might I need minimally invasive XLIF surgery?
The team at Florida Back Institute may recommend XLIF surgery for a number of conditions that cause chronic pain or mobility issues when other therapies aren’t effective. These conditions may include:
Sciatica: caused by spinal nerve compression from a herniated disc, bone spurs, or a narrowing of the spinal canal
Scoliosis: abnormal curvature of the spine
Kyphosis: a deformity causing forward rounding of the back due to degenerative disease or structural abnormalities
Spondylolisthesis: occurs when one vertebra slips forward over the one below it
Your doctor evaluates your condition and may recommend other treatment options, such as epidural injections, to alleviate chronic pain from these conditions before suggesting surgery.
What are the benefits of minimally invasive XLIF surgery?
Because minimally invasive XLIF surgery addresses the root cause of your pain, surgery can significantly improve your quality of life and mobility. Using only small incisions and avoiding muscle trauma means you can enjoy a faster recovery time following XLIF surgery than with traditional open surgery.
Other benefits of the procedure include:
- Less bleeding
- Minimal scarring
- Less risk of infection
Additionally, if you need future surgeries to add more graft layers to stabilize the spine, the procedure will be much easier.
Learn more about minimally invasive XLIF surgery by calling Florida Back Institute or book an appointment online today.