OptiLIF Spinal Fusion Surgery in Birmingham, AL

What is OptiLIF® ?

When it comes to back pain or issues related to the spine, there are several options for treatment. One safe and proven method is using a fusion procedure to help with structural support. The OptiLIF procedure uses the OptiMesh® Expandable Interbody Fusion System to perform interbody fusion. The procedure is done through an access smaller than any other fusion procedure to help you recover faster. OptiLIF is a relatively new advancement, and uses Spineology’s proprietary methods to help restore your stability and give you the relief you deserve.

Do I need OptiLIF?

Your spine is made up of a series of bones (vertebrae) separated by intervertebral discs. The discs connect the vertebrae and allow them to move while also acting as shock absorbers for the spine. One common cause of low back and leg pain is degenerative disc disease (DDD), which is a natural part of the aging process.

There are several issues that can cause pain with your vertebrae, and if you are having back pain it is important to seek help. Dr. Smith will diagnose your condition after performing some assessments or x-ray analysis.

If your symptoms persist after conservative treatment, Dr. Smith may recommend seeing a spine surgeon to explore surgical options. Surgical intervention is reserved for patients whose symptoms worsen or for specific spinal conditions.

The OptiLIF procedure is the latest advancement in minimally invasive interbody fusion surgery. It offers life-changing, enduring pain relief using the smallest surgical exposure available for interbody fusion.

How is the Procedure Performed?

During the procedure, Dr. Smith will access your disc through a one-centimeter incision using a tube roughly the size of a soda straw. This approach allows Dr. Smith to avoid the major nerves and arteries that surround the spine, reducing the risk compared to other surgical approaches.

Dr. Smith will remove the degenerative disc material and insert an OptiMesh® implant in its place. Once the implant is in the disc space, it is filled with bone graft and expands to restore disc height and provide spinal support and stability.

The procedure is performed using specialized, expandable instrumentation. During the procedure, the implants:

• Conserve bone and muscle
• Protect neural structures
• Indirectly decompress the diseased segment of the spine

Goals of OptiLIF and Interbody Fusion

The goals of an anatomy-conserving interbody fusion procedure are to:

• Place a large implant to immediately provide structural support, restore stability and indirectly decompress the diseased part of the spine.
• Perform the procedure through the smallest access possible to avoid trauma to the muscle and reduce compression/stretching of the neural structures. This can help to minimize the risk of neurological problems following surgery.
• Efficiently complete the procedure to reduce the duration of time the neural structures are compressed/stretched, to help with recovery.

How is it Performed?

In the video above, you can see the following eight steps visually explored:

• Tissue dilation
• Facet-sparing approach
• Protection of neurological structures
• Radical discectomy
• Expansion restores
• Granular mechanics create load bearing graft pack
• Load bearing graft packs conform to endplates
• Porosity for through growth

When looking for an option for your spine fusion, OptiLIF can be a great option to restore movement with proven outcomes.

Schedule Your OptiLIF Consultation Today!