Lower back and leg pain caused by nerve compression and spinal instability can significantly limit your daily activities. While various surgical techniques exist to treat lumbar spine conditions, posterior lumbar decompression and fusion (PLDF) remains an important option in specific, complex cases.
At his New York City practice, Dr. Todd J. Albert, a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon, carefully evaluates when PLDF offers the greatest long-term benefit. Understanding when this approach is recommended helps ensure you receive the safest and most effective treatment.
Why PLDF May Be Recommended
PLDF is typically considered when both nerve compression and structural instability are present in your lumbar spine. Conditions such as advanced spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, or multilevel degeneration can narrow your spinal canal and compromise spinal alignment.
In these cases, decompression alone may relieve pressure on your nerves but leave your spine unstable. Fusion is added to restore stability and protect long-term spinal function.
The posterior approach allows direct access to your affected nerves and bony structures, making it particularly useful when multiple levels require treatment or when prior spine surgery has altered your anatomy.
When PLDF Is Preferred Over Other Fusion Techniques
While minimally invasive approaches and techniques like TLIF are effective for many patients, PLDF may be the better option when extensive decompression is required. This includes cases involving severe stenosis, deformity, or significant facet joint degeneration. PLDF also allows your surgeon to address bilateral nerve compression and perform thorough decompression across multiple segments when necessary.
Dr. Albert considers factors such as spinal alignment, bone quality, the number of affected levels, and prior surgical history before recommending PLDF. His goal is to select the approach that provides you with durable relief while minimizing your risk of future complications.
How PLDF Supports Long-Term Stability
By decompressing your nerves and stabilizing your spine in a single procedure, PLDF helps reduce pain, improve mobility, and prevent further degeneration. Fusion encourages your treated vertebrae to heal together, limiting abnormal motion that could otherwise worsen symptoms over time. Excitingly, this combination can lead to meaningful improvement in mobility and your quality of life.
Expert Evaluation Matters
Not every patient with lumbar spine disease requires PLDF, which is why expert evaluation is essential. Dr. Todd J. Albert combines advanced imaging, neurological assessment, and decades of surgical experience to determine when this procedure is the most appropriate option.
If you’re experiencing persistent lower back or leg pain and have been told surgery may be necessary, schedule a consultation in New York City by contacting our office at 212-606-1004. Together, we can discuss whether posterior lumbar decompression and fusion is right for you.
