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X LIF or extreme lateral inter-body
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fusion is a minimally disruptive spinal
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fusion procedure when undergoing an X
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lift procedure you will be placed on
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your side on a surgical table with
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appropriate surgical padding and draping
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your surgeon will make a small incision
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on the side of your body
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dilators will be used to direct
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the path to the affected disk space
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while advanced monitoring will help the
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surgeon avoid local nerves once the
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safest path has been determined a
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retractor will be utilized to hold the
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skin incision open providing access and
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visibility to the affected area
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the diseased or damaged disk is removed
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to reduce pressure from the symptomatic
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cord or nerve root
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an appropriate implant chosen by your
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surgeon will be placed into the disk
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space to restore the proper disk height
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and provide mechanical support while
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bone grows between the vertebral bodies
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during the fusion or bone healing
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process that segment of your spine will
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eventually stabilize once fusion occurs
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generally some method of internal
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fixation will be used to act as a
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stabilization device or internal brace
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to help hold everything in place while
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fusion occurs this could be a
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combination of screws and plates that
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are affixed to the adjacent vertebrae
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your surgeon will determine what if any
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kind of fixation is necessary during the
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procedure