You already know that The Better Way Back® is a dedicated community that provides hope, support, and valuable information to eXtreme Lateral Interbody Fusion (XLIF) patients, and people considering XLIF surgery, who are suffering with chronic back or leg pain. But what is XLIF?
The XLIF technique is a minimally disruptive surgical procedure performed through the side of the body. The procedure is designed to treat a range of spinal pathologies. Using patented nerve monitoring technology, the surgeon gains lateral (side) access to the spinal column, designed to avoid any major nerves in the area between the incision and the column. The XLIF procedure does not require a front (anterior) or back (posterior) exposure, and thereby does not present similar risks of vascular injury as with traditional approaches.
Here is a short animation that helps to explain the procedure:
If you want to learn more about XLIF, you can read through some online XLIF patient education materials.
There is life after back surgery. Ask an Ambassador about how they were able to get back!
Note: The information in this blog post is not meant to replace any personal conversations that you might wish to have with your physician or other member of your healthcare team.
As with any major surgical procedures, there are risks involved in orthopedic surgery including the XLIF procedure. Keep in mind that not all the information here will apply to your individual treatment or its outcome. This information is intended to answer some of your questions and serve as a stimulus for you to ask appropriate questions about the procedure to your physician.
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