PLAINVIEW: 901 Old Country Rd., Plainview, NY 11803
HUNTINGTON: 110 East Main St., Huntington, NY 11743
833-774-6333 (833-SPINE-33)
SpineCare Long Island

Lumbar Fusion

Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF) is typically used to remove a degenerative disc and relieve pressure on nerve roots in the lumbar spine.

Using the minimally invasive procedure involves a small incision in the back. Using a C-arm for X-ray imaging, the surgeon locates the vertebral level with the herniated disc.

Making the smallest incision possible, the surgeon uses a combination of dilators and tubular retractors to access the vertebra and remove the degenerative disc. An implant with bone graft is placed in the empty space, this realigns the vertebral bones and relieves pressure on the nerve roots.

Some advanced spine surgeons perform the TLIF procedure through a minimally invasive approach. Advantages of the minimally invasive TLIF procedure over traditional spine surgery include a smaller incision, less disruption to muscle tissue, less time in the hospital and less pain in recovery.

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Our Physicians

Kevin Mullins, MD, FAANS, FACS

Board-certified Neurological Surgeon
Specializing in Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Medical Director of SpineCare Long Island

Amit Sharma, MD

Board-certified in Interventional Pain Medicine
Interventional Spine Care Specialist
Director of Interventional Pain Management
at SpineCare Long Island

Salvatore Zavarella, DO, FACOS

Board-certified Neurological Surgeon
Specializing in Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Director of Spine Surgery
at SpineCare Long Island

Do you NEED spine surgery?

Do you have pain that radiates into an arm or leg?	Yes No
Do you have any numbess or weakness in a foot or hand?	Yes No
Have you had an MRI within the last 12 months?	Yes No

Provide contant information below so we can advise you based on your above symptoms:

Spine Conditions

Have back or neck pain? Learn what causes symptoms and the home remedies that relieve pain. Experts estimate that 50% of back surgeries are unnecessary. Fact: Many people can recover from painful disc-related symptoms with nonsurgical treatment options like a spinal injection that reduces inflammation around a nerve root or customized spine therapy.

Learn More

Spine Treatments

The good news is that 80% of back and neck pain gets better on its own over time. Only a small percentage of patients will ever need spine surgery. Isn’t that a relief? Learn about non-surgical treatment options.

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Home Remedy Book

As a community service to those who live on Long Island, SpineCare Long Island mails out a free 36-page Home Remedy Book with customized stretches that can relieve some back and neck pain symptoms. Enter your name and address and we will mail you a copy.

Request a Copy

Symptoms Chart

Some symptoms can become permanent if you don’t see the physician within 24 hours. Find out when you can use “watchful waiting” and when you have an emergency symptom.

Learn More