TLIF

There are several advantages to having a TLIF spinal surgery:

• It maximizes fusion potential and spinal stability while preserving the posterior elements of the neck. This reduces destabilization of the spine.
• There is decreased nerve irritation during surgery, reducing scarring and maintaining the bony surface for purposes of fusion.
• It allows for better access to the nerve passageways during surgery and reduces the disturbance caused to spinal nerves and nerve roots.
• The injury that commonly occurs during nerve retraction is significantly reduced. Such injuries are common with PLIF and traditional open fusion techniques.
• The time of operation, trauma, blood loss and pain are all reduced with TLIF.
• The surgeon is afforded a larger working space within the disc. This allows for complete access to the affected area. The surgeon can therefore perform the discectomy, restore proper disc height and place implants to facilitate successful fusion.
• With TLIF, the surgeon can freely achieve 10 to 15 degrees of spine curvature and can successfully correct disorders caused by conditions such as spondylolisthesis (or disc slippage).
• The main advantage of TLIF is its incredible capability to restore interbody height and facilitate proper spine alignment, which further helps in spine stabilization and fusion potential.

Usually, after a TLIF spinal surgery, patients get relief from leg pain within a few days. Back pain also improves after a few weeks. The next symptom to disappear is usually weakness. Your strength may completely return to normal. Numbness and “pins and needles” sensations also significantly improve after surgery.

Have an MRI Ready to Go?

Schedule your free MRI evaluation with one of our experienced spine surgeons today, who will personally walk you through your situation assessment over the phone.

How to Prepare for Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF)

For a successful transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion procedure, you must prepare for the surgery. Your orthopedic specialist will provide recommendations and analyze your daily life for any areas where factors may potentially harm the surgery and its results.

Since smoking affects the bones, your doctor will recommend you stop smoking prior to the procedure and after the surgery. You must also communicate any medications and supplements you take to ensure they do not impact your health during the surgery. Your doctor will recommend you stop taking any medications that may thin your blood, such as aspirin. Another important factor is informing your orthopedic specialist of allergies to medications, foods, or latex.

To ensure your health and safety, write down a list of all the medications and supplements you take, as well as your allergies, and provide it to your doctor to analyze. This will help better understand what must be considered before the surgery.

When conservative treatments have failed, a minimally invasive TLIF may be your next best option. At NJ Spine & Orthopedic, we are dedicated to creating a personalized treatment plan for every patient who sees us, and a quick consultation with one of our expert doctors — who will review your MRI or CT scan — will help you find out if you qualify for a TLIF.

A shorter recovery

Our doctors are highly skilled at both procedures and combine the two into one, quick treatment session. Patients receive a quick, outpatient experience without having to undergo multiple surgeries, resulting in a reduced recovery period.

Take the Next Step Toward Fixing Your Pain

See if you qualify for TLIF treatment by trying our free Candidacy Verification tool before talking with someone at NJSO.

If you’re ready to talk with a spine specialist to help you decide whether TLIF treatment is your best option for lasting pain relief, call us today at (855) 586-2615.