Lower back · Fusion
Lumbar Fusion
Surgery that stabilizes a painful or slipping segment of the lower spine so it heals into one solid piece.
Overview
What is Lumbar Fusion?
Lumbar fusion joins two or more vertebrae in the lower back using a spacer, bone graft and, often, screws and rods. It stops painful motion at a damaged or unstable level.
There are several ways to perform a lumbar fusion — from the front (ALIF), the side (LLIF) or the back (TLIF). Dr. Record chooses the approach that best fits your anatomy and condition.
Conditions it may treat
Medicare, PPO, private insurance, workers’ comp & cash accepted →
How it works
The procedure, step by step
Step 1
Evaluation
X-rays, MRI or CT show alignment, motion and nerve compression.
Step 2
Choose the approach
Front, side or back — selected for your case.
Step 3
Spacer & graft
The disc is removed and replaced with a spacer and bone graft.
Step 4
Fusion
The vertebrae heal together into one stable segment.
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Less disruption.
A quicker return to life.
Many lumbar fusions can be performed with minimally invasive techniques — including ALIF, LLIF and minimally invasive TLIF — designed to reduce disruption to muscle and recovery time.
Conservative first
A Conservative Approach to Spine Care
Dr. Record believes that surgery is not necessarily the first step for every patient. Whenever appropriate, she works with patients to explore non-operative and conservative treatment options first.
When conservative treatment does not provide sufficient relief — or when a patient would like to understand whether surgery may be appropriate — Dr. Record provides a comprehensive discussion of available surgical options.
Her goal is to identify the treatment approach that can help alleviate pain, restore function, and help patients return to the activities that matter to them.
FAQ
Questions about Lumbar
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Which type of lumbar fusion is best?
It depends on the level, your anatomy and your condition. Dr. Record will explain the options and why she recommends one approach.
Is fusion recommended for back pain alone?
Fusion is considered carefully and usually only after conservative treatment has not helped and a clear source of pain is identified.
Will I have imaging done at the office?
No. There are no X-rays in-house. When needed, Dr. Record orders X-rays, MRI, CT scans, nerve testing or lab work through outside facilities and reviews the results with you.
Will my insurance cover this procedure?
Dr. Record accepts Medicare, workers’ compensation, PPO plans and a variety of private insurance plans, plus cash payments. Many procedures need pre-authorization — our team will help check your coverage before surgery.
Stop painful motion in your lower back
Explore which lumbar fusion approach is best for your spine.