Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF)

A procedure where damaged herniated disc and arthritic bone is removed and substituted with a spacer. This is meant to remove the pressure off the nerve and stabilize the painful motion in the vertebrae from above and below.

This is done through the belly, from the front (anterior) and through the back for the screws and rod.

This can be done at 1 or multiple levels.

  • After anesthesia is given, an incision is made on the front of the belly. The intestines and blood vessels are moved over to the side, and the spine is accessed directly from the front.

    The injured disc is removed, and the nerves are carefully relieved of the damaging pressure.

    A spacer is placed. This is repeated at multiple levels as needed. Sometimes a plate is placed on the front of the bone to stabilize the spacer. The belly incision is closed.

    The patient is then flipped onto their belly, and through small incisions in the back, screws and rods are added to further stabilize the levels.


    Intraoperative X-rays are done to confirm placement, and the wound is checked for bleeding and the incision is sutured closed.

    1. Take away the painful motion

    2. Decompress the nerves

    3. Accomplish a successful fusion

  • Depending on medical history, age, and surgical extent, some patients may spend one or multiple nights in the hospital for therapy and pain control.


    Soreness from the incision sites can remain for a week or two. Muscles can spasm from surgery as they do not like getting pushed around. Nerve relief can be felt within days. The low back can feel sore, but it’s a different type of discomfort that before surgery.


    Sometimes people can feel constipated or have issues passing gas after surgery due to the belly contents being moved for surgery.

    The fusion process may take up to 12 weeks for bone graft to consolidate, but symptoms typically improve much sooner.

    Return to work times vary, some people are able to return to light work 2 week after surgery. For those with a very physically demanding job, return to work may not happen until 6-12 weeks after surgery.

    1. Relieve 50% of the back pain

    2. Relieve 70% of the leg pain

  • There is no surgery without risks. They include but are not limited to: bad reaction to anesthesia, injury to the major vessels in the belly, injury to intestines, surgical site infection, prolonged pain, nerve injury, implant failure, failure of fusion, spinal fluid leak, and the need for additional surgery.