Axial Lumbar Interbody Fusion (AxiaLIF)
Axial Lumbar Interbody Fusion (AxiaLIF) is a minimally invasive surgery used to treat patients with degenerative disc pathology. This minimally invasive surgery induces bone growth in the disc space to create a solid fusion and restore normal disc height. AxiaLIF can provide fast and efficient results, and only requires a two-centimeter incision, rather than a six-inch incision used in traditional fusion surgeries.
The surgeon uses AxiaLIF to access discs in the lower back by making a small incision next to the tailbone. The centers of the diseased discs are removed and bone growth material is inserted in their place. The AxiaLIF implant is then inserted to stabilize the spine and restore any height that was lost due to the diseased discs. The surgeon may need to add posterior hardware for further stabilization. This minimally invasive technique can provide patients with a shorter hospital stay and faster recovery. Patients typically leave the hospital the day after the procedure and return to normal activity within several weeks. Traditional surgeries usually require a week or longer stay in the hospital with a recovery time of several months.
The Axial LIF procedure can be used as a minimally invasive alternative for most traditional spinal fusion procedures.