ALIF

Posterolateral vs. Interbody Fusion: The Two Main Approaches to Spinal Fusion

Ben Parr — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 13:16:03 -0700

In general, there are two main approaches to spinal fusion, a surgery designed to stop low back pain caused by painful motion of the vertebrae. One of the main differences between these two approaches is where the bone graft is laid in the spine to form the fusion.

Posterolateral fusion:

Lumbar Spinal Fusion Surgery

spine-health — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:03:18 -0800

A spinal fusion surgery is designed to stop the motion at a painful vertebral segment, which in turn should decrease pain generated from the joint. There are many approaches to lumbar spinal fusion surgery, and all involve adding bone graft to an area of the spine to set up a biological response that causes the bone graft to grow between the two vertebral elements and create a fusion, thereby stopping the motion at that segment.

Comprehensive Spine Surgery Findings Highlight Postoperative Infection Rates

cmaynard — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:07:11 -0800

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Additional Spinal Fusion Surgery Factors and Considerations

Ben Parr — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 09:29:44 -0800

In addition to the spinal fusion approach used, there are a number of other factors to be considered before spine fusion surgery. The following discusses several other considerations.

Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion Spinal Implants and Bone Grafts

Ben Parr — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 12:12:01 -0700

Although initially the only spinal implants that were available were threaded titanium cages, there is now an assortment of cages in different shapes, sizes and materials. This gives a person about to undergo Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF) Surgery more options.

Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion ALIF

spine-health — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:52:14 -0800

Definition

Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF) is a type of back surgery used to fuse the disc space of the spine through entering the front of the body through the abdomen. In an ALIF, an incision is made on the left side of the abdomen and the abdominal contents and muscles are pulled to the side to allow access to the front of the spine.

ALIF: Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion Video

spine-health — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 11:19:39 -0800

Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) is a procedure performed by approaching the spine through the abdomen. It involves the insertion of a bone graft into the disc space to help the vertebrae to fuse together. This video provides a step-by-step overview of ALIF surgery.

Molecular Engineering and Emerging Technologies

spine-health — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:21:05 -0800

In 2002 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a form of bone morphogenic protein (BMP-2) for anterior lumbar interbody spinal fusion. The BMP product is called INFUSE™, and it is made by Medtronic Sofamor Danek.

Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF) Surgery

spine-health — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:03:18 -0800

Doctor Cloward first performed an anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) surgery in the 1950s for treatment of low back pain for degenerative spine conditions. The Cloward procedure did not gain immediate favor because of fairly high nonunion rates (30-40%). In the 1990s, however, there was a resurgence of popularity for anterior (from the front) lumbar interbody fusion surgery because of the advent of new threaded titanium cages that held the disc space better and allowed for a higher fusion rate.