What Is ALIF?
ALIF treats degenerative disc disease and spondylolisthesis, most commonly at L5–S1 or L4–5, by approaching the spine through the abdomen rather than the back. This anterior corridor allows the surgeon to remove the disc and place a large interbody cage packed with bone graft, which can restore disc height and lumbar lordosis more effectively than a posterior-only approach in select cases. It's often combined with posterior screws for added stability.
Who It's For
Well suited to L5–S1 or L4–5 degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis requiring significant realignment, and revision cases where scar tissue makes a posterior approach to the disc space more difficult or risky.
How the Procedure Is Performed
Working with an access surgeon, the spine is reached through a small lower-abdominal incision, moving (rather than cutting) the abdominal muscles and vessels aside. The disc is removed, disc height and alignment are restored, and a large interbody cage filled with bone graft is placed. Depending on the case, additional posterior screws and rods may be placed in the same or a staged setting.
Recovery & Rehabilitation
Hospital stays typically run one to three days. Activity is gradually increased over the following weeks, sometimes with a temporary brace, and heavy lifting or bending is restricted while the fusion matures over the following months.