5 Benefits of Minimally Invasive Spinal Fusion Surgery

1. Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion (LLIF), a minimally invasive technique for spinal fusion, does not damage or separate the muscles of the low back. This allows an easier time retraining weakened back muscles with physical therapy, as those suffering from chronic back conditions also have weak or atrophied muscles on top of their spinal condition.

2. Minimally invasive spinal fusion requires neither the cutting of bone nor the movement of blood vessels, which is required in traditional varieties of spinal fusion.

3. The LLIF method can be used to treat a wide range of conditions, including spondylolisthesis, nerve impingement, some tumors, herniations, as well as a host of issues caused by degenerative disc disease and degenerative scoliosis.

4. Patients undergoing LLIF and most other minimally invasive spine surgeries usually do not require an overnight hospital stay.

5. Patients treated with minimally invasive spinal fusion are up and about within a few hours of surgery and report minimal pain and a quick recovery.