
Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF) is a surgical procedure used to treat spinal instability, degenerative disc disease, or other conditions causing chronic lower back pain. In this procedure, the surgeon accesses the lumbar spine through an incision in the back, removes the damaged disc between two vertebrae, and inserts a bone graft or spacer into the empty disc space.
The graft helps promote bone growth, fusing the two vertebrae together over time to stabilize the spine. Screws and rods are often used to support the spine during healing. Recovery involves physical therapy and activity modification, with full fusion typically taking several months.