Overview
Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion is a minimally invasive procedure used to address nerve compression, instability, and alignment issues within the lumbar spine. This involves making two small incisions just off the midline of the lower back. A careful dissection is carried down through the lower back muscles to access the intervertebral disc. The disc is removed entirely, and an interbody device (also called a spacer or cage) fits into place between the vertebrae to restore the disc space height, correcting alignment issues, instability and taking pressure off of the nerve roots. Next, screws are placed into the pedicles of each vertebra and rods are used to connect the screws together, thereby holding the vertebrae in place to allow for bony fusion over time (see posterior spinal fusion).
Post operative expectations
Many patients feel rapid relief of neurologic symptoms following a TLIF. Pain over the surgical site is expected. The pain can become severe over the first several weeks following surgery and generally requires the use of narcotics and other pain medications to treat. Pain from the surgery becomes less intense over the first three to four weeks after surgery. Activity is typically restricted for several weeks following surgery, with most patients returning to work after four weeks depending on the activity level of the work. By three months, most patients generally feel well and are ready to return to full, unrestricted activities. It is important to note that it may take one or two additional months to work into higher levels of physical activity without discomfort and it is recommended to ease into these activities slowly.
