TLIF surgery treats chronic pain in your low back (lumbar spine). TLIF stands for “transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion.” You may have low back pain if the intervertebral discs (small gel cushions that sit between the bones in your spine) wear out. Worn discs can press against the nerves in your spine, causing pain.
A type of spinal fusion surgery, the TLIF procedure replaces damaged intervertebral discs with bone grafts. This material forms new bone and fuses the vertebrae (the bones in your spine) above and below it. Removing damaged discs and joining the vertebrae takes pressure off the nerves and relieves pain.
At Summit Orthopedics, spine specialists in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area are experts at performing TLIF surgery. Often, we can perform this surgery using a minimally invasive technique. The surgeon makes a small incision instead of a big cut, which speeds recovery and spares muscles.
If back pain makes daily activities difficult, don’t put off seeking help. Summit Orthopedics experts can help determine whether TLIF surgery may be right for you.
Benefits of TLIF Surgery
Back pain can turn your life upside down. When your back hurts, bending to tie your shoe, playing with your grandchildren or simply going for a walk can be challenging. Fortunately, a wide range of treatments can help.
Like many people, you may feel better with the help of nonsurgical treatments. These include rest, medications, physical therapy and injections. If those treatments don’t work for you, though, you may need spine surgery.
TLIF surgery can reduce pain so you can move easier and be more active. Less pain isn’t the only benefit. This procedure can also:
- Create smaller scars than regular spine surgery
- Minimize harm to blood vessels and tissues
- Preserve muscle function
- Strengthen the spine
Who May Need TLIF Surgery?
Damage to your spinal discs can cause lumbar spinal instability, or incorrect movement of vertebrae in your lower back. This instability can lead to pain and numbness in your back, hips and legs.
Many conditions can cause spinal instability, such as:
If you’ve tried nonsurgical treatments without success, your spine specialist may consider surgery. They will consider your age, overall health, activity level and condition of your spine, among other factors.
Your surgeon will decide which surgical procedure makes the most sense for you. Surgeons have several ways of fusing the lumbar spine.
An approach called posterior lumbar interbody fusion involves reaching the spine through the back. TLIF surgery is a version of this procedure. The main difference is that, with TLIF, the surgeon makes an incision beside the spine. Reaching the spine this way helps protect the nerve roots.
What to Expect
Your spine surgeon will explain the steps of your surgery so you know what to expect. They’ll also give you specific instructions to follow as you prepare. TLIF is a major surgery, even if your surgeon uses a minimally invasive approach. As a result, the surgery will take place in a hospital or surgery center.
You will receive general anesthesia to help you sleep through the procedure. TLIF surgery may take up to three hours. If you had a minimally invasive procedure, you may be able to go home the same day. Otherwise, you may need to spend several days in the hospital. You may notice less pain soon after surgery. A full recovery, however, can take up to a year. During this time, the bone graft the surgeon inserted into the disc space expands and fuses the vertebrae.
Before Surgery
Follow these tips to get ready for surgery:
- Arrange for someone to drive you to the procedure and, if necessary, stay with you for one or two days when you go home.
- Inform the surgeon about the medications you take.
- Stop eating or drinking several hours before your surgery, as directed by your surgeon.
- Stop taking certain medications before the surgery, according to your surgeon’s instructions.
After arriving at the hospital, you will meet with an anesthesiologist. They will tell you about the anesthesia you will receive.
During Surgery
In the operating room, you will lie flat on your stomach, and anesthesia will put you to sleep.
To perform minimally invasive TLIF surgery, your surgeon will:
- Make a small incision in your back
- Take out the back part of the vertebra, which is called the lamina
- Trim the facet joints (the joint that connects two vertebrae) to give the nerve roots more space
- Shift the nerve roots aside and take out the damaged disc
- Insert the bone graft into the disc space
- Place screws and rods to hold the vertebrae in place while new bone grows
- Close the incision
After Surgery
You will rest in a recovery area while the anesthesia wears off. The recovery team will check your vital signs. They will give you pain medication to help make you comfortable.
Once you’ve recovered from the anesthesia, you may be free to go home, or you may move to a hospital room to continue recovering for a few days.
Risks of TLIF Surgery
Your surgeon and their operating team will take many steps to keep you safe during TLIF surgery. The procedure does, however, carry risks and disadvantages, including:
- Blood clots
- Blood loss
- Bowel and bladder problems
- Complications from anesthesia
- Failure of the bone graft and vertebrae to fuse
- Infection
- Nerve damage
Recovering From Surgery
You may notice improvement in your pain right away. If not, you’ll likely experience gradual relief.
Your surgeon will give you instructions to help your recovery go as smoothly as possible. They may instruct you to avoid bending, twisting, heavy lifting and driving for up to six weeks after surgery. Otherwise, you may be able to return to most normal activities. You should contact your surgeon’s office if you notice any unusual symptoms, such as pain or redness at the incision site.
TLIF Surgery at Summit Orthopedics
Summit Orthopedics spine specialists know how deeply chronic back pain can affect your life. As a result, they take the time to understand what’s causing your symptoms so they can put together a personalized treatment plan. Your plan will start with nonsurgical treatments, but surgery may be an option if other therapies don’t work.
If you’re considering TLIF surgery or another type of spine surgery, our experts will help you choose the option that best fits your needs. Our fellowship-trained surgeons are skilled at performing the TLIF procedure with the least invasive methods possible. That’s one reason both The Joint Commission and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota have recognized Summit Orthopedics for high-quality spine care. Our Eagan location was the first surgery center in the U.S. to receive The Joint Commission’s Certification of Distinction for Spinal Fusion.
Summit Orthopedics surgeons are available at nearly 30 convenient locations across the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area, serving Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Our state-of-the-art, comprehensive orthopedic centers offer same-day appointments from a team of experts who offer the full scope of orthopedic care, including TLIF surgery.
Find your Summit Orthopedics spine care expert, request an appointment or call us at (651) 968-5201 to schedule a consultation.
