Posterior Lumbar Fusion in New Brunswick

Posterior Lumbar Fusion at our New Brunswick, NJ location delivers durable lower spine stabilization for patients with complex lumbar conditions, bringing advanced minimally invasive surgical expertise to Central New Jersey.

Lasting Lumbar Stability Starts With the Right Surgical Plan

When lower back pain is rooted in structural instability, disc degeneration, or vertebral slippage that has not responded to conservative care, Posterior Lumbar Fusion offers a reliable and well-established path to lasting relief. The procedure stabilizes the affected spinal levels from the back, addressing both the structural problem and any concurrent nerve compression in a single surgical setting.

At Gerling Spine Care and Research Institute, New Brunswick patients receive this procedure from a team that brings minimally invasive precision and research-level expertise to every lumbar fusion case. Contact our New Brunswick office today to find out whether Posterior Lumbar Fusion is right for your condition.

What Is Posterior Lumbar Fusion?

Posterior Lumbar Fusion permanently stabilizes one or more lumbar spinal levels by joining the affected vertebrae through an incision in the back. Pedicle screws inserted into the vertebrae on both sides are connected by rods that maintain correct spinal alignment, and a bone graft is placed alongside the instrumented levels to promote biological fusion over time.

How Posterior Lumbar Fusion Works

The surgeon accesses the spine through a posterior incision and performs any necessary decompression, such as a laminectomy or discectomy, before placing the stabilizing instrumentation. In many cases, an interbody cage packed with bone graft is also inserted into the disc space to restore disc height and improve overall fusion rates. This combined approach, performed through a posterior incision, is referred to as PLIF (Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion) or TLIF (Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion), depending on the specific trajectory used to access the disc space.

Minimally Invasive Technique

Where anatomy and patient condition permit, our surgeons apply minimally invasive principles to posterior lumbar fusion, using muscle-sparing approaches and smaller incisions that reduce blood loss, limit post-operative pain, and support a faster recovery. Our team's track record includes some of the shortest hospital stays in the NYU system, reflecting the benefit of this approach for every patient we treat.

We’re here to help you move forward.

Conditions Treated With Posterior Lumbar Fusion

Posterior Lumbar Fusion is suited to a broad range of lumbar conditions in which instability, deformity, or painful disc-level motion is a significant component of the problem, including:

Spondylolisthesis causing chronic back and leg pain
Lumbar spinal stenosis with associated instability
Degenerative disc disease producing disabling axial back pain
Degenerative lumbar scoliosis or spinal deformity
Lumbar fractures or trauma requiring stabilization
Revision surgery following failed prior lumbar procedures
Adjacent segment degeneration following earlier lumbar fusion

Are You a Candidate for Posterior Lumbar Fusion in New Brunswick?

Candidates typically have chronic lower back or leg pain caused by an identifiable structural problem, imaging findings of instability or significant degeneration correlating with their symptoms, and have not achieved adequate relief from a sustained course of conservative care. The posterior approach is particularly well-suited for patients with posterior or multilevel pathology, or those who are not candidates for lateral or anterior approaches. Overall health, bone quality, number of affected levels, and prior surgical history all factor into both candidacy and the specific surgical technique used. Our New Brunswick team will conduct a thorough evaluation before making any recommendation, including a detailed imaging review and a full medical history.

What to Expect From Posterior Lumbar Fusion in New Brunswick

Our team takes a personalized approach to every stage of care, from the initial consultation through the final stages of recovery.

Before Your Posterior Lumbar Fusion

Your consultation will include a comprehensive review of your symptoms, imaging, and treatment history. Our surgeons take the time to explain all appropriate surgical options, discuss expected outcomes honestly, and ensure you feel fully prepared before any decision is made.

The Day of Your Surgery

The procedure is performed under general anesthesia. Procedure length varies depending on the number of levels being fused and whether interbody fusion is performed alongside posterior stabilization. Most patients remain in the hospital for one to three days. Our operating room efficiency and minimally invasive approach are designed to minimize time under anesthesia and support a smooth start to recovery.

Recovering After Your Procedure

Most patients begin to notice improvement in symptoms within the first two to four weeks following surgery. Return to light activities typically occurs within a few weeks, while more physically demanding roles may require several months. Physical therapy is a central part of recovery, focused on rebuilding core strength and lumbar stability. Full fusion, confirmed by imaging, generally takes six to twelve months.

Why Choose Gerling Spine Care and Research Institute?

Posterior lumbar fusion requires careful patient selection, precise preoperative planning, and a surgical team that understands the long-term implications of every decision made in the operating room.

Our institute brings all of that to every case, alongside more than 300 peer-reviewed publications and active leadership in NASS, CSRS, and LSRS. For New Brunswick patients, that level of clinical depth is now available close to home.

Posterior Lumbar Fusion Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between PLIF and TLIF?

Both are forms of posterior lumbar interbody fusion that place a bone graft cage in the disc space to supplement posterior stabilization. PLIF accesses the disc space from both sides of the midline, while TLIF approaches from one side through the foramen, requiring less nerve retraction. Both are effective; the choice depends on anatomy and the specific goals of the procedure.

How is posterior lumbar fusion different from LLIF?

LLIF approaches the lumbar spine from the side, preserving the back muscles entirely. Posterior lumbar fusion approaches from the back and involves some degree of muscle retraction. Posterior fusion is more versatile across spinal levels and is the preferred approach when direct posterior decompression or instrumentation is required.

Will lumbar fusion affect my ability to move?

Fusion eliminates motion at the treated levels. The impact on daily movement depends on the number of levels fused and their location. Most patients find that meaningful relief from pain and instability far outweighs any reduction in range of motion, and realistic expectations will be discussed clearly during your consultation.

How long does recovery from posterior lumbar fusion take?

Most patients return to light activity within a few weeks and resume more demanding activities over the following months. Full recovery, including solid fusion confirmed by imaging, typically takes six to twelve months. Individual timelines vary based on the extent of surgery and overall health.

What is the risk of the fusion not healing properly?

Failure of the bone to fuse, known as pseudarthrosis, is a recognized complication of any fusion procedure. Risk factors include smoking, osteoporosis, obesity, and fusion at multiple levels. Our team discusses these factors during your consultation and takes steps to optimize conditions for successful fusion before and after surgery.