Posterior Lumbar Decompression & Fusion or Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF)

Overview

Posterior Decompression & Fusion, also known as Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PILF), is a spinal surgery on the lower back. During the procedure, the surgeons first remove the laminae (the small, flat sections that stick out from the back of each vertebra and covers the back of the spinal canal). This decompresses pressure on the spine, nerve and nerve roots.

Following that removal, the intervertebral disc is removed and replaced with a spacer between the two vertebrae before affixing the two vertebrae together using screws and rods. The spacer is a conduit for bone to grow between the two vertebrae.  

During this procedure, the spine is accessed through an incision in the back (posterior).

What it Treats

Posterior Decompression & Fusion is used to multiple spinal conditions, including:

• Spondylolisthesis
• Spinal Stenosis
• Scoliosis
• Kyphosis