T-Lift Anyone...

[Realtor Chick]

Hi Judy ~ Thanks for your reply. Here's a summary of a TLIF. "Spinal fusion (such as a TLIF) is a surgical technique to stabilize the spinal vertebra and the disc or shock absorber between the vertebra. Lumbar fusion surgery is designed to create solid bone between the adjoining vertebra, eliminating any movement between the bones. The goal of the surgery is to reduce pain and nerve irritation...This article describes the transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) fusion technique.

TLIF back surgery is done through the posterior (back) part of the spine.
Surgical hardware is applied to the spine to help enhance the fusion rate. Pedicle screws and rods are attached to the back of the vertebra and an interbody fusion spacer is inserted into the disc space from one side of the spine.

Bone graft is placed into the interbody space and alongside the back of the vertebra to be fused. Bone graft is obtained from the patient's pelvis, although bone graft substitutes are also sometimes used.

As the bone graft heals, it fuses the vertebra above and below and forms one long bone." My neurosurgeon uses growth hormones that stimulate bone growth and not actual bone grafts.

So there you have it ~

[jsewell]

Oh you originally said a T-lift and that threw me off , that and the fact i just had fusion surgery 2 weeks ago and am on lots of drugs!! I guess i just called mine a posterior fusion which is basically the same thing. I have had many. I am only having problems now with my lumbar spine as my bones are so soft and will not hold the screws. Last years attempt the screws immedietly pulled out and let me tell you that was painful . Nerve pain as the nerves got involved in the screws pulling out. I ended up back in surgery to remove the screws and plates and rods , but after 6 weeks of being in agony .
My surgery that i just had was through my abdomen. When going through the front they remove the disc and he used the same material you were talking about BMP bone morphenogenic protein.
When is your surgery?
judy

[Maria]

This has been around for a while and I'm sure there are plenty of people that could tell you about their experiences w/this surgery. I was thrown off too by the T-Lift .. I was thinking .. that's a new one

[mmglobal]

I just discovered (this morning) that I may be a candidate for a TLIF. I have not observed one yet, but will soon.

What I've seen presented at the conferences were patients bouncing back very fast after the surgery. (what else would you expect... most of these presentations are marketing for the device manufacturer!) It is much less invasive than other fusion options.

I'll post here if I get more TLIF info.

Mark