Recovery After Minimally Invasive TLIF - Spinal DISC Center | Kris Radcliff, MD | New Jersey

Dr. Kris Radcliff specializes in simplifying the management of complex spine conditions and traumatic spine injuries, focusing exclusively on spine surgery, with particular expertise in the area of artificial disc replacement. Dr. Radcliff is highly experienced, having performed more than 10,000 spine surgeries. He combines conservative decision-making judgment with state-of-the-art and minimally invasive surgical techniques, endoscopic spine surgery, and artificial disc replacement.

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Recovery After Minimally Invasive TLIF

Minimally invasive TLIF, which stands for transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion, stabilizes a painful or slipped level in the low back through small incisions.

What the Surgery Does

Through small incisions in the back, the surgeon removes the damaged disc and any bone or tissue pinching the nerves, places a spacer filled with bone graft, and secures the level with screws and rods. The muscles are spread apart instead of cut, which usually means less pain and a quicker recovery than open surgery.

Your Recovery, Stage by Stage

Days 0-2: Hospital

How you may feelIncision soreness and muscle spasm are normal. Leg pain is often better.

What you can doWalk with the nurses or therapists the day of or the day after surgery.

Hold off onBending, lifting, twisting.

Milestone: Most people go home in 1 to 2 days.

Weeks 1-2: Home and walking

How you may feelTired, sore when changing position.

What you can doWalk several times a day and gradually go farther. Shower when the team says it is OK.

Hold off onBending, lifting over 10 pounds, twisting, driving while on narcotics, sitting longer than 30 to 45 minutes at a time.

Milestone: Incision check at about 2 weeks.

Weeks 2-6: Early healing

How you may feelSteady improvement. Some days are better than others.

What you can doLonger walks. Desk work for many people, with breaks to stand. Driving once off narcotics.

Hold off onHeavy lifting, yard work, bending to the floor.

Milestone: Follow-up visit and X-ray.

Weeks 6-12: Building strength

How you may feelMore energy; back muscles still getting stronger.

What you can doPhysical therapy to strengthen core and back muscles.

Hold off onHeavy lifting until cleared.

Milestone: Many people return to light-duty work.

Months 3-12: Solid fusion

How you may feelContinued improvement for up to a year.

What you can doReturn to most activities and work as cleared.

Hold off onHeavy labor until the fusion is confirmed.

Milestone: The fusion is usually solid by 6 to 12 months.

When to Call

CALL 911Trouble breathing, chest pain, or sudden weakness in your arms or legs.

CALL THE OFFICE THE SAME DAYFever over 101 F; redness, swelling or drainage from the incision; new or worsening numbness or weakness; calf pain or swelling; loss of bladder or bowel control. New leg weakness, or leg pain much worse than before surgery.

CALL DURING OFFICE HOURSQuestions about medicines, paperwork, physical therapy, or returning to work.

Good to Know

Nicotine in any form slows bone healing. Stay off it for at least 3 months.
Anti-inflammatory pain medicines such as ibuprofen and naproxen can slow fusion healing. Ask before taking them in the first 3 months.
Walking is the single best exercise during recovery.
Numbness can take longer to recover than pain. It sometimes improves for up to a year.

Questions?

Offices in Somers Point, Cherry Hill, and Brick, New Jersey, as part of Progressive Spine & Orthopaedics.
New patients: 201-820-0768
Existing patients: 201-515-5190

This page is general information, not medical advice. Every patient heals at a different pace. Your own instructions from Dr. Radcliff always come first.