Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF)
This is the Gold Standard for lumbar fusions performed from behind, as it involves the creation of a very stable, very reliable construct with two cages replacing each diseased disc, and pedicle screws and rods to prevent movement of the vertebrae while the bone graft within the cages knits the two vertebrae together over a 6-9 month period.
In the accompanying radiograph, titanium cages have replaced the diseased discs