Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF)

A Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF) is a lumbar fusion procedure from the back, or posterior approach. During this procedure, your surgeon will make a midline incision in order to expose the posterior spine elements, such as the spinous process, lamina and facet joint. Bone is removed to create a window to open the spinal canal. This creates access to remove disc material in order to prepare the space for implants to fuse the bones together. Screws and rods are used to stabilize this fusion process.