.png)
Arizona Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF)
Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF) is a less invasive form of spinal fusion surgery. In addition to taking pressure off of spinal nerves and providing stability to the lumbar spine, the TLIF procedure also restores correct spinal curvature and proper disc height between vertebrae.
UNLIKE WITH TRADITIONAL SPINAL FUSION SURGERY, MOST OF OUR ARIZONA TLIF PATIENTS GO HOME THE NEXT DAY. MOST PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO RETURN TO DAILY ACTIVITIES SIX WEEKS AFTER SURGERY, FREE OF DEBILITATING BACK AND LEG PAIN. YOUR LONG TERM RESULTS WILL DEPEND ON YOUR EFFORTS TO FOLLOW PHYSICAL THERAPY AND LIFESTYLE RECOMMENDATIONS POST-SURGERY.
What happens during TLIF?
“Transforaminal” refers to accessing the spinal canal through the foramen (the opening through which spinal nerves pass from the spinal cord to other parts of the body) on one side. Dr. Baig will begin by making a small midline incision in your back so that the spinal canal can be accessed. Using minimally invasive tools and techniques including real-time X-ray (fluoroscopy), he will gently separate the back muscles with as little cutting as possible. The bony portion of the lamina and facet joint on one side are removed, providing access to the disc. The lamina and facet joint on the other side are left in place.
Dr. Baig then removes some of the damaged disc material and inserts an implant into the disc space that will re-align the vertebrae, taking pressure off of pinched nerves as well as restoring proper disc height. The rest of the empty disc space is filled with bone graft material. Additional bone graft material and possibly plates, rods, or screws are used to fuse the two vertebrae together for stability.
Why TLIF?
There are many benefits to the TLIF procedure over similar procedures such as PLIF and ALIF.
-
Since only the lamina and facet joint on one side of the vertebra are removed, the spine is less likely to destabilize after surgery.
-
Fewer delicate spinal nerves need to be moved, resulting in less risk of nerve damage.
-
Smaller incisions and less damage to muscle and surrounding tissues result in a faster, easier recovery, with fewer post-surgical risks and less reliance on pain medications.
_PNG.png)
Am I a candidate for TLIF?
IN ARIZONA, TLIF IS THE PREFERRED SURGICAL OPTION FOR SEVERAL DIFFERENT TYPES OF SPINE DAMAGE, INCLUDING DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE, SPONDYLOLISTHESIS, AND MILD TO MODERATE SCOLIOSIS, BUT IT MIGHT NOT BE THE BEST OPTION FOR YOU. AS ALWAYS, DR. BAIG WILL NOT PERFORM ANY FORM OF BACK SURGERY UNLESS HE IS CERTAIN IT WILL HELP YOU. NOT EVERYONE IS A CANDIDATE FOR TLIF. A CONSULTATION WITH DR. BAIG IS THE BEST WAY TO FIND AN EFFECTIVE TREATMENT PLAN FOR YOUR BACK PAIN AND RELATED SYMPTOMS.
TLIF Surgery in Arizona
At Desert Spine and Scoliosis Center, our practice is centered on a conservative approach to the management and treatment of conditions of the spine. We focus on providing exceptional patient care as well as patient education. Besides healing which is a top priority, we remain committed to building meaningful provider/patient relationships based on open, honest, and effective dialogue with our patients.
Back pain can be debilitating and we strive to provide our patients with effective healthcare delivery that leads to positive outcomes and restored confidence so they can go back to enjoying life. We’re facilitated in this quest by advancements in imaging and above all, our highly qualified and exceptional medical professionals including the best Phoenix TLIF specialists.
Dr. Baig and our other spine and back pain healthcare experts focus on healing and optimum results and if those results can be achieved without surgery, then it’s the preferred course of treatment. The root causes of back pain vary on a case by case basis and naturally so does the recommended treatment option. Invasive surgery is not always the solution here at Desert Spine as the one-size-fits-all approach to medicine simply does not exist here. In fact surgery is not required for most back pain patients. However if Dr. Baig believes that it will lead to great results for you, then he will recommend it, be it TLIF surgery or any other, based on your specific condition.
Whether you’re seeking your first consultation or looking for a second or third opinion for chronic back pain, we can help. Request an appointment today and take the first step towards effective treatment for your back condition.
Get maximum relief with minimal risk
MINIMALLY INVASIVE
SPINE PROCEDURES
ENDOSCOPIC
SPINE SURGERY
STEREOTACTIC
SPINE PROCEDURES
NON-SURGICAL
TREATMENT OPTIONS
WE DIAGNOSE THE ROOT
Chronic back pain can be debilitating and leave you feeling hopeless. When Craig wasn’t getting the care he felt he deserved, he reached out to Dr. Baig to get the help he needed.
Unfortunately, this is a common problem: People suffering from back pain see a doctor, get diagnosed with some type of “chronic” condition, obtain a prescription and perhaps go to a few physical therapy appointments. They feel a bit better for a time, but the root of the problem is never diagnosed or properly treated. This is how back pain can become chronic, and this is why people ultimately seek the help of Desert Spine and Scoliosis center, expert back surgeons in Phoenix.
Dr. Baig, one of the most respected back surgeons in Phoenix, helped Craig identify his problem by relying on his years of expertise as a spine specialist in Phoenix. With the proper treatment, Craig’s condition improved and he was able to get back into life without the terrible pain that had dragged him down for so long. This is what patients should reasonably expect from our team of Phoenix spine surgeons.
SUCCESS STORIES
For an active 39 year old who participates in Jiujitsu, having a spinal fusion would not have been the right thing for her. We were able to get her back on the mat after a successful disc replacement and she is back living her life
NO MORE BACK PAIN!
For an active young mom, having a spinal fusion was out of the question.
She was back in the gym THE SAME DAY after she had an Endoscopic Decompression. Dr. Baig and is living life
PAIN FREE!
This personal trainer got a cervical disc replacement.
She was able to avoid a fusion, keep her her range of motion, and get back
into the gym
PAIN FREE!
WHAT OUR PATIENTS SAY
We wanted to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to our patients who take the time to leave a review about their experience at our practice.
Your kind words and feedback are greatly appreciated by our entire team, and your review helps other patients make an informed decision about where to turn to for care.
Thanks again for sharing your experience with others. You are making a difference.
T.M. ~ Actual Patient
"Dr Baig and his team are phenomenal. I had a compressed nerve due to a bulging disc and was able to be seen relatively quickly. Surgery was quick and flawless and I have no complaints at all. I truly appreciated how fast they worked to get me seen and out of all the pain I was in! Highly recommend them."
A.H. ~ Actual Patient
"Dr Baig literally changed my life for the better. I had a severely pinched nerve in my neck and needed to get surgery. Immediately at my first consult I felt comfortable and in good hands. I even walked away with a smile on my face during that scary time.
Surgery day couldn’t have gone better. The team he had also had a great bedside manner and helped keep me calm.
After the surgery and in the recovery room, he came in and checked on me and made sure I was all good before releasing me."
S.D. ~ Actual Patient
"Dr Baig was going to be my second opinion for an upcoming scheduled spinal surgery. After my appointment, he will be my surgeon. He gave me a lot of information that was lacking from my other doctors. I felt very comfortable with Dr Baig and his entire office staff. Looking forward to living pain free after we strengthen my bones. It’s going to be a permanent fix and not a bandaid."
Consult Our Back Surgeons in Phoenix
Back pain can often be a result of an accident, injury, or congenital conditions such as scoliosis. Certain forms of back pain can be a result of the natural aging process, including conditions such as disc protrusion and spinal stenosis.
Today, advancements in imaging, and non surgical techniques have led to more treatment options than ever before, allowing us to return our patients the life they once knew…usually without the need for invasive spine surgery.
Typically, back surgeons in Phoenix offer one type of help, even though there are many others available. When you work with Dr. Baig at the Desert Spine and Scoliosis Center, you can rest assured that everything is on the table when it comes to potential treatments that are accepted by the medical world.
CONTACT US
LOCATIONS
Conservative care you can trust, with multiple locations in the valley!
Just how ‘minimal’ is minimally invasive spine surgery?
Book your appointment today and we'll be happy to educate you!
As a top-rated spine specialist, Dr. Baig understands that this complicated part of the body can lead to many different problems, and each possibility will be considered before deciding on a treatment protocol.
Get answers, get help, get back to a better quality of life––schedule an appointment today.
_PNG.png)