What Is OLIF?
OLIF treats degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, and adult degenerative scoliosis by approaching the disc space at an oblique angle through the flank, working in the anatomic corridor between the psoas muscle and the major blood vessels. This avoids cutting through the back muscles used in traditional posterior fusion and largely avoids disturbing the psoas muscle and nerves that run through it — a distinguishing feature compared to direct lateral approaches.
Who It's For
A good option for multilevel degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, and adult degenerative scoliosis where indirect decompression and deformity correction through restored disc height can reduce the need for more extensive posterior surgery.
How the Procedure Is Performed
Through a small flank incision, the surgeon works in the retroperitoneal space to reach the disc space obliquely, between the psoas muscle and the great vessels. The disc is removed and a cage packed with bone graft is placed to restore height and indirectly decompress the nerves by relieving pressure caused by disc collapse. Posterior percutaneous screws are often added, either in the same setting or shortly after.
Recovery & Rehabilitation
Hospital stays are typically one to two days. Because the back muscles aren't cut, patients often mobilize quickly and report less early postoperative pain than with open posterior fusion. Activity is advanced over the following weeks with physical therapy as needed, and the fusion matures over several months.