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Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF)

ALIF approaches the lumbar spine through a small incision in the abdomen, allowing complete disc removal and placement of a large interbody cage without disrupting the back muscles. This anterior approach is particularly effective at restoring disc height and lumbar lordosis at the L4-L5 and L5-S1 levels.

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Is ALIF Right for You?

ALIF may be recommended if you have:

What to Expect

Procedure Time

1.5–2.5 hours depending on complexity and whether supplemental posterior fixation is needed

Hospital Stay

1–3 nights depending on patient factors and recovery progress

Recovery

Most patients walking same day; return to activity 6–8 weeks

Key Advantage

Largest possible cage for maximum lordosis correction and disc height restoration

Working with a specialized access surgeon, the spine is accessed through a small abdominal incision. The disc is completely removed from the front, and a large interbody cage filled with bone graft is placed. Because the back muscles are untouched, patients often experience less postoperative back pain than with posterior approaches. Supplemental posterior fixation is typically added through a separate minimally invasive approach.

Why Dr. DelSole

Dr. Edward M. DelSole

Edward M. DelSole, MD

Dr. DelSole is a fellowship-trained orthopaedic spine surgeon with extensive experience in minimally invasive lumbar procedures. He brings a commitment to patient-centered care and evidence-based surgical decision-making.

  • Fellowship-trained at Rothman Orthopaedic Institute (one of the nation's top spine programs)
  • Board-certified, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
  • Chief Resident, NYU Langone Orthopaedic Surgery
  • Active member, Lumbar Spine Research Society and North American Spine Society
  • Published researcher with 30+ peer-reviewed publications

Ready to Discuss Whether ALIF Is Right for Your Condition?

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Keystone Spine & Pain Management

2607 Keiser Blvd, Suite 200

Wyomissing, PA 19610