What is an ALIF Procedure?

ALIF stands for anterior lumbar interbody fusion. The ALIF procedure is one of several different methods of spinal fusion. During spinal fusion surgery, a surgeon fuses two or more vertebrae together using a bone graft. The bone tissue of these vertebrae will continue to grow and permanently lock together. Spinal fusion limits the movement of the spine,

All About Spine Fusion Surgery

Spine fusion surgery is when a surgeon fuses two or more vertebrae together using a bone graft. The bone tissue will continue to grow and permanently lock the vertebrae together. A spine fusion limits movement of the spine, which may help to relieve back pain. And while the spine may not be as flexible as it was prior to the surgery,

Resolve To Maintain A Healthy Spine

Welcome to 2020! Who’s determined to make this their best year yet? We know we are! To kick off the year with a bang, we decided to provide you with some reasonable resolutions to make if you’re suffering from back or neck pain.

Resolutions can be difficult to maintain throughout the year, but we believe slow implementation is the key.

Bone Grafts in Spine Surgery

Frequently asked questions about bone grafting

How big is the incision for a bone graft taken from my hip?

The incision for a bone graft can vary but is generally 1½ – 2 inches long.

Are there any alternatives to having a bone graft taken from my hip?

The alternatives to using a bone graft from the patient’s hip are to use local bone,

Smoking And Back Pain

The news that smoking is bad for you is hardly groundbreaking. Smoking has been linked to serious diseases like lung cancer, emphysema, and heart disease. Did you know that smoking and back pain are also related? That’s right, if you’re a smoker and are experiencing back pain, smoking is probably part of the issue. Research has found that smoking may be associated with a higher risk of osteoporosis,

Lumbar Spondyloisthesis

What is Lumbar Spondylolisthesis?

Lumbar spondylolisthesis is when one of the bones in your spine slips forward and out of place causing lower back pain and numbness or weakness in one or both legs.  Lumbar spondylolisthesis is the most common form of spondylolisthesis, though it can occur along different areas of the spine. 

Spine for spinal fusion surgery

What is a bone graft?

A bone graft is a tiny piece of bone used to fuse the spine together. This extra bone acts as the cement that fuses the vertebrae together during spinal fusion surgery. Bone grafting can be done with pieces of a patient’s own bone (autograft), processed bone from a bone bank (allograft), or a bone graft substitute (demineralized bone,

Meet Dr. Fuller

The next video in our series features Dr. Jonathan Fuller, a board certified and fellowship trained orthopaedic spine surgeon who sees clinic in Omaha, Grand Island and Lexington.

Dr. Fuller is a US Air Force veteran who focuses on the full continuum of conservative spine care.

Find a doctor with Dr.

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