Get Relief Today
Contact Form V2 Prequalification

*New Jersey Neck & Back Institute, P.C. offers surgical treatments for a variety of spinal and neck conditions, and does not treat or consult on hip, leg, ankle, knee, or non-spinal conditions.

*New Jersey Neck & Back Institute, P.C. does not provide personalized consulting or advice over phone or email. All interaction must be done via appointment at one of our 4 main offices listed below.

*We are located in New Jersey, USA and do not provide medical advice via email or phone. We do not accept Medicare or Medicaid, however we do participate with commercial insurance as an out of network provider.

What is Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion (LLIF)

Also known as extreme lateral (XLIF) or direct lateral interbody fusion (DLIF), LLIF is a procedure that accesses the spine from incisions created on the side of the body. It is performed to provide relief from symptoms due to conditions such as:

The focus of a surgical treatment is to drastically improve quality of life. Back doctor Dr. LaRocca may propose back surgery in the event of noticeable tiredness, extreme pains or when all other treatment options have been implemented.

What to Expect Before and After the Procedure

During the Procedure

During the procedure, Dr. LaRocca may approach the spine through an incision in the flank, the space on the side of the body between the ribs and the hip. In doing so, he avoids separating back muscles, cutting bone, moving major blood vessels, or moving spinal nerves as opposed to approaches such as:

A surgical instrument known as a tubular retractor is then inserted through the skin and onto the spinal column to hold the muscles open.

Once there is a clear view of the spine, the affected spinal disc material is removed and a spacer known as a cage containing bone graft material is placed in the empty space to encourage the two vertebrae to heal and fuse together. The bone graft material is rarely taken from the hip but may also be donated from a cadaver or consist of various biologically active materials that promote bone growth. Screws made of titanium may then be inserted to hold the cage in place.

There are a few advantages to this approach over other approaches, including:

  • Avoiding the spinal nerves
  • Better alignment of the vertebrae
  • Easier access to the spine
  • Faster recovery
  • Less damage to the muscle tissue

Dr. LaRocca can help patients determine what approach is best based on the individualized needs of patients.

After the Procedure

Patients may be allowed to leave the day of surgery or the day after due to the minimally invasive nature of the procedure. Patients may return to normal activity within four to six weeks.

Have Another Question?

For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact us today.
Contact Us
Privacy PolicyXML SitemapHTML Sitemap
phonemap-marker linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram