TLIF

Posted by llannii @llannii, Apr 24 12:52am

Does anyone know the difference between TLIF and OLIF?

Anyone has gone through TLIF surgery for L4-L5 fusion? Can you share what your post-surgery recovery was like?

I have one doc telling me that's what he would do. Another doc says he would do OLIF. I did a quick research and found some basic info explaining the difference between the two. One result also says TLIF is more effective for nerve decompression.

My conditions: L4 slippage of about 13mm, the disk between L4 and L5 gone. I also have some issue with my L3 and cysts around my S2, both of these do not need to be addressed right away.

I am worried (scared) of the pain post-surgery. I don't take painkillers generally other than some tylenols here and there (max I have taken was 2000mg a day and only for 1-2 days), so hoping that whatever they give me after the surgery will be sufficient to ease the pain.

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jlssurplus | @jlssurplus | Apr 24 7:41am

OLIF is from the side and is a minimally invasive surgery where they don't cut through as much stuff so recovery is faster and more pleasant and less chance of nerve damage.

TLIF is coming in from the back (Bigger Hole) and is generally an open type surgery although it can be done as minimally invasive.

It really depends on a lot of factors in your spine and also what type the particular Dr. is comfortable doing.

All things being equal I would choose OLIF.

This is from the outside looking in after my wifes surgeries.

You will be in pain, kinda unavoidable, 1st 2 weeks will be the worst or as my surgeon told me, I will hate him for the 1st 2 weeks.

Good news is it gets better each day,

The hospital will control the pain the best they can in the hospital.
The ones we have been in have a pain team that manages it.
You just need to talk to them, I suggest having someone there as an advocate as you probably will be foggy. Don't be afraid to speak up.

When you go home your pain will be managed by your surgeons office. Usually a PA. Most important thing is to communicate with them if there are issues or concerns.

llannii | @llannii | May 1 9:06am

I got my TLIF surgery on my L4/5, a new cage as well as RF Ablation for my L3 on Tuesday. It is now Friday and I am feeling better. The first five hours or so after the surgery I was really uncomfortable, though it was more bad soreness than pain that I was feeling. All it took was for me to lay on each side (per doc's ok), no more than 2 mins and I felt better.

I am still doing a lot of bed rest. I try to get up, sit down, walk, just basically move every few hours. I am still quite wobbly, my legs feel weak but I am hoping as I increase my activities things will be better.

Getting out of bed and back in the bed are the toughest things to do. I worry about twisting or bending my back when I do that. I don't know if a firmer mattress would help? I am hoping to get discharged on Sunday.