There are several different approaches to treating back pain surgically. Each of these approaches stabilizes spinal bones and vertebrae creating a bridge of bone between two or more vertebrae:
TLIF or Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion, an approach to the spine from the back.
ALIF or Anterior lumbar interbody fusion, an approach to the spine from the abdomen.
OLIF or Oblique lateral left, an approach to the spine from the side
XLIF or eXtreme Lateral Interbody Fusion, an approach to the spine from the extreme lateral side.
Laminectomy - removing the lamina, the flattened segments at the back of the vertebral arch.
