Surgery Solutions
To Relieve Back Pain

Oblique Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion (OLLIF)

The spine is comprised of vertebrae, discs, joints, plates and ligaments. Back pain may come about because of damage or degeneration “wearing out” of these structures delivering degenerative disc disease. Spondylolithesis (spine slippage), aspect Arthropathy (exhausted and thickened feature joints), and Spinal Stenosis (joint inflammation squeezing spinal nerves). Traditional surgery for these conditions included large incisions at the midline skin entry points, retractions and withdrawal of the muscles, increase blood loss, and bone removal. This brought about muscle and delicate tissue harm delivering increase post-op pain and delayed recovery.

MIS-OLLIF has advanced to the use of percutaneous systems, specific spinal instrumentation, use of tiny cameras(endoscopic) and magnifying instruments made negligibly invasive spine surgery conceivable. Points of interest of minimally invasive spine surgery are little skin entry points, muscle expansion instead of withdrawal using size increasing dilators, reduced bone removal(laminotomy) and blood loss. Significant diminishing of pain post-op and quicker recovery time after surgery.

Minimally invasive lumbar fusion surgery involves the decompression, fusion and instrumentation of the spine through minimally invasive techniques.

What is involved in MIS-OLLIF surgery:

  • The level of harmed disc is identified using fluoroscopy (live x-ray)
  • K-wire or dilator tube is set onto the spine about 10-14 cm from the midline.
  • The skin and delicate tissues successively enlarged with arrangement of expanding bigger measurement tubes. Intra-operative real time neuromonitoring is used to ensure that spinal cord, nerves and neural structures are ensured out of the surgical field.
  • Bone is extruded through the tube to decompress the stenosis and distinguish the disc.
  • The disc is evacuated under endoscopic or minuscule representation through the little tube.
  • A specialized spinal implant and bone graft is set into the disc space for combination of the vertebrae.
  • Pedicle screws and rods are set to hold the spine together and to give steadiness to the structure.
  • Dissolvable sutures are placed and a small bandage is used to cover the incision site.
  • The patient will be instructed to wear a back brace to support recovery and encourage proper healing.

Pain Screening Quiz

Pain presents itself in many different ways, at different times and in many cases is triggered by specific activities. Minimally Invasive Spine AZ will be happy to answer your questions in conjunction with a personal phone call follow up with one of our doctors. Please answer the questions as accurately as possible.

Step 1 of 11

Step 1 of 10

We LOVE our Laser!
Find out if your are a Candidate!

Download a free brochure for Laser Spine Surgery

Bulging Disc

A bulging disc is quite common, and usually remains undetected until the disc bulge comes in contact with adjacent nerves leading to pain and other symptoms.

Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative disc disease is not truly a disease, but more of a chain of events that naturally occur as we age. There is no avoiding degenerative disc disease, but you may slow its progress.

Disc Tear

As the outer shell of your disc begins to toughen or dry up, a painful crack or tear could happen. Learn what a disc tear is, and how you can recover from it.

Failed Back & Neck Surgery

There are many reasons why back or neck surgery may provide lackluster results. Bad diagnosis, unskilled surgeon, or improper healing; which is it?

Facet Joint Syndrome

Facet Joint Syndrome refers to the degeneration of the arthritic changes that occur in your facet joints. Age and daily wear and tear are the most common culprits.

Foraminal Stenosis

Foraminal Stenosis describes the narrowing of the foramen. As the foramen narrows, exiting nerves can become compressed causing pain and other symptoms.

Free Pain Quiz

Pain presents itself in many different ways, at different times and in many cases is triggered by specific activities. We will be happy to answer your questions in conjunction with a personal phone call follow up with one of our doctors.

Free MRI Review

Receive a free MRI Review from a top trained spine surgeon in Minimally Invasive and Endoscopic Spine Surgery Techniques

Timothy Luke, M.D.

TOP