Dr. Singh at Midwest Orthopaedics at RUSH Minimally Invasive Spine Institute may recommend a spinal fusion to alleviate symptoms for many back conditions, including:

• Recurrent disc herniation
• Spinal stenosis
• Spondylolisthesis
• Fracture
• Scoliosis
• Degenerative Disc Disease

Dr. Singh will thoroughly evaluate your past treatment, your current imaging (MRI/CT) and perform a complete examination to determine if you are a candidate. In general, patients with conditions for which a minimally invasive lumbar fusion may be recommended include:

• No improvement with non-surgical treatment with unrelenting back and leg pain
• Spondylolisthesis (slippage of the vertebrae)
• Recurrent disc herniation
• Scoliosis
• Severe degenerative disc disease

A minimally invasive lumbar fusion can be performed from the front (anterior approach), from the back (posterior approach) or from the side (lateral approach). Dr. Singh will choose the least invasive approach for each patient based upon many factors, including the need for bone spur removal, the degree of instability, the medical condition, and the physical characteristics of the patient. Usually, the decision as to which approach makes the most sense involves a discussion of the pros and cons of each approach in a particular situation. The following are spinal fusion approaches that may be considered:

• Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF) with Instrumentation (front the front)
• Transformational Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF) (from the back)
• Lateral Interbody Fusion (XLIF, DLIF, OLIF) (from the side)

In ALIF, the procedure is performed from the front allowing Dr. Singh to access the spine without moving any nerves and disturbing the back muscles. In this procedure an incision is made like a much smaller C-section type approach. Dr. Singh does this surgery with a highly skilled general surgeon who helps with the approach.

In TLIF, Dr. Singh uses the posterior (back) approach through two or three small incisions the size of your fingertip.  This approach requires no movement of the nerves and opening of back muscles unlike a traditional surgical approach.