ALIF (Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion) -- Larry Parker M.D.

Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion refers to the surgical removal of a degenerative or herniated disc and replacement with a surgical implant and bone graft to allow two vertebrae to fuse together. The surgery is designed to improve or relieve pain associated with spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, or spondylolisthesis.
Fusion surgery is designed to remove the intervening degenerative or herniated disc and allow two bones to fuse solidly into a single segment.
The best results for anterior lumbar interbody fusion are isolated to single level disease typically at L4-5 or L5-S1.
Randomized prospective studies have demonstrated excellent pain relief for single level degenerative disc in chronic back pain sufferers.