Lumbar spinal fusion permanently connects two or more vertebrae together, eliminating painful motion at an unstable or severely degenerated spinal segment. Techniques such as TLIF (Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion) and PLIF (Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion) restore disc height, decompress the nerve, and stabilize the spine — and can be performed with minimally invasive techniques through small incisions.
What Is Lumbar Fusion?
Lumbar fusion is performed when spinal instability, spondylolisthesis, or severe degenerative disc disease is causing persistent back or leg pain that has not responded to conservative measures. The goal is to eliminate motion at the painful or unstable segment, restore disc height and spinal alignment, and relieve pressure on the affected nerves.
TLIF (Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion) is the most commonly performed interbody fusion technique. Dr. Chavarria accesses the disc space from a posterolateral angle, removes the disc, places a structural cage filled with bone graft to restore height and promote fusion, and secures pedicle screws and rods to the vertebrae for immediate stability. The minimally invasive version of TLIF (MIS-TLIF) achieves the same goals through two small incisions with significantly less muscle disruption and blood loss than open fusion.
Fusion hardware includes titanium pedicle screws, connecting rods, and an interbody cage. Over 3–6 months, the bone graft within and around the cage gradually fuses with the adjacent vertebrae, creating a solid bone bridge. Modern biologics and bone graft options have improved fusion rates, which now exceed 95% at one and two levels in appropriate candidates.
Are You a Candidate?
- Patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis (vertebra slippage) causing back pain, leg pain, or neurological symptoms
- Patients with severe degenerative disc disease causing instability and disabling back pain unresponsive to conservative treatment
- Patients who require decompression for stenosis combined with stabilization of an unstable segment
- Patients with recurrent disc herniation at a previously operated level
- Patients with post-discectomy syndrome (persistent pain following prior disc surgery) related to instability
What to Expect
Pre-operative: X-rays, MRI, and sometimes a CT scan are reviewed to plan the fusion levels, implant sizing, and approach. Standing alignment X-rays may be obtained to assess spinal balance. Medical optimization (diabetes control, smoking cessation) before surgery improves fusion rates.
Day of surgery: MIS-TLIF at one or two levels typically takes 2–4 hours. A one-night hospital stay is standard. You will be walking with assistance on the day of or the day after surgery.
First 4 weeks: Activity is restricted to walking — avoid bending, lifting, and twisting. Pain is managed with oral medications. A 2-week wound check is followed by a 6-week X-ray to assess early fusion progress.
3–6 months: Most patients return to desk work within 4–6 weeks and more physical activities at 3–6 months. Physical therapy focusing on core strengthening typically begins at 6–8 weeks. Final fusion confirmation is typically assessed at 6–12 months with X-rays and sometimes CT.
Why Choose Dr. Chavarria for Your Lumbar Fusion in Reno?
- Resolves instability — eliminates painful abnormal motion at the treated segment
- MIS approach available — smaller incisions, less blood loss, faster recovery
- High fusion rates exceeding 95% at 1–2 levels
- Pedicle screw fixation provides immediate stability — patients ambulate the same or next day
- Can be combined with decompression in a single surgery
- Long-term durable solution for the right candidate