Posterior Lumbar Fusion

Dr. Shim explains what Posterior Lumbar Fusion surgery is as well as potential complications and variations.

Citations:

Okuda S, Miyauchi A, Oda T, Haku T, Yamamoto T, Iwasaki M. Surgical complications of posterior lumbar interbody fusion with total facetectomy in 251 patients. J Neurosurg Spine. 2006 Apr;4(4):304-9. PubMed PMID: 16619677

Mobbs RJ, Phan K, Malham G, Seex K, Rao PJ. Lumbar interbody fusion: techniques, indications and comparison of interbody fusion options including PLIF, TLIF, MI-TLIF, OLIF/ATP, LLIF and ALIF. J Spine Surg. 2015 Dec;1(1):2-18. PubMed PMID: 27683674

Additional References:

[AlphaPoe]

Very painful recovery, but my surgeon did a great job resolving my spinal problems.

[AshokAle-th]

Can i remove this interbody fusion hardware??

[AyanKhan-rzjp]

Sir how lumbar bony lesion accur in 14years child, is any symptoms? Bony lesion of l 4

[Budrob]

I had posterior lumbar fusion which was actually revision after failed bilateral facet fusion for PARS fracture, my fusion was done using cylindrical cages with no fixation, just the cages themselves, im wondering if that’s why I’m having trouble with it still, 16 years later im now having serious adjacent segment problems at L4, 3, 2 but mainly L4 has basically become bone on bone, and already has needed surgery for a massive disc herniation that caused temporary paralysis in my right leg, anyone else have standalone cages?

[JC]

I had spinal decompression fusion of the l5-s1. There were rods and screws along with the bone graphs as you detailed and shown in this video. I have a question for anyone - I've just hit the 8th month mark and finally feel as if the surgery is "taking". I'm able to sit up now with zero to no discomfort depending on how strenious daily tasks have been such as garbage, yard work, just life in general. I'm curious to know whether anyone else has been in tremendous pain post surgery and also have had their end plate move due to not fully following doctor instructions. For more context. I had surgery on 10/21/23. I took two days off work and worked remote for the following 2-3 months. I then began to exercise which caused many issues which most have disipated since. Would you encourage jogging as an exercise that I may now proceed with before the year mark?

[qhj]

Hi Dr. Shim from looking at your video it looks like no discectomy is done when doing a posterior lumbar fusion? Is it only done for interbody fusions on the anterior spine? Thank you

[lobstermania]

Mine is tomorrow oct 8th 24. 3-4 and 5 fused. Im ready to be on the other side of this. Iwill answer any question anyone may have. Nobody usually does after

[grandfury]

So why do doctors want to do anterior when this one looks alot Every one surgeon i visited wants to do anterior fusion. frustrated

[maido]

Dr. shim, i have flatback sydrome. How can i restore my lumbar to get a little lordosis?
and im sorry for my bad english

[jimwest]

my surgeon said he will be going though the front

[moonpie]

Yes this video helped me my surgery is coming soon 😱😱😱😢😢😢

[KBradAdams]

I only comment because I trust knowledge and your replies. Can someone who had a failed to fuse L4/L5 fusion PLIF have a revision of that L4/L5 using the ALIF? I am wondering how they would get the original screws out? Would you suggest PLIF again for revision or ALIF to get the best bone growth or fusion? Thanks!

[scottbaker]

I'm going to put out a YT channel and it's going to be all about the long term issues of having lumbar fusion. it's the old school way of doing things if anyone has this done now You're an idiot. I had two levels in my cervical done with just artificial disc's no rods screws or cages the best thing I have ever had done it's been 6yrs I'm a industrial electrician and had no issues at all with my neck, my low back fusion has cost me so much pain and issues with my feet and hips I had to have foot surgery because the fusion caused me to walk different. The scar tissue has gotten so bad that no DR will even help me get the pain to reside for 3-4 yrs it would be so worth it to me. I can't stand and talk like everybody else without focusing on my pain it's horrible.I had my L5 s1 fused in '14 then scar revision 2yrs later, saline and countless spinal injections to ellivate the pain still a battle everyday. I'm still working a horrible way to live. Don't Do it, DON'T DO IT

[adas]

TUTAJ BEDZIE ZDROWA PLECY MOZNA PRACOWAL NIE BEDZIE BOLALO

[virginiasolon]

I prefer to have a space savior or called a vertiflex procedure and medicare does not cover this I'm not happy about this and I know a space savior world be better for me I'm sceptical to fussing my back.