Learn about Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion Treatment in India — how it works, who it is for, recovery timelines, and what to expect before and after surgery. Compare hospitals and doctors experienced in Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion and request assistance for cost estimates or appointments.

About Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion

Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF) is a major neurosurgical procedure designed to treat debilitating spinal conditions by permanently fusing two or more vertebrae in the lower back. The neurosurgeon accesses the spine from the back (posterior approach), removes the damaged intervertebral disc, and inserts a bone graft or a specialized cage packed with bone material into the disc space. This is combined with the placement of metal screws and rods to stabilize the spine from behind. The goal is to eliminate painful motion, decompress pinched nerves, and restore spinal alignment, ultimately providing long-term stability and pain relief. PLIF is a well-established technique for addressing complex spinal instability and severe nerve compression.

Key Highlights

    Provides direct decompression of spinal nerves to relieve leg pain (sciatica).Offers excellent spinal stability and high fusion success rates.Restores disc height and corrects spinal alignment.Addresses the root cause of pain by eliminating motion at the affected segment.Can be performed using minimally invasive techniques to reduce muscle damage.

Who is this surgery for?

  • Spondylolisthesis (slipped vertebra) causing instability or nerve compression.
  • Severe degenerative disc disease with chronic low back pain unresponsive to conservative care.
  • Recurrent lumbar disc herniation.
  • Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal) requiring decompression and stabilization.
  • Certain spinal fractures or deformities, such as scoliosis.
  • Failed previous back surgery (post-laminectomy syndrome) with instability.

How to prepare

  • Complete pre-operative medical evaluation, including blood tests, ECG, and imaging (X-rays, MRI, CT scan).
  • Discontinue certain medications like blood thinners (aspirin, warfarin) as advised by the surgeon.
  • Maintain good nutrition and cease smoking, as it significantly hinders bone healing.
  • Arrange for post-operative support at home for assistance during initial recovery.
  • Follow fasting instructions (typically nothing to eat or drink after midnight before surgery).
  • Discuss anesthesia options and any allergies with the anesthesiologist.

Risks & possible complications

  • General surgical risks: infection, bleeding, blood clots (DVT/PE), and adverse reaction to anesthesia.
  • Nerve injury, which could lead to weakness, numbness, pain, or, rarely, paralysis.
  • Dural tear (cerebrospinal fluid leak).
  • Hardware complications (screw or rod breakage, malposition).
  • Pseudarthrosis (failure of the bones to fuse).
  • Adjacent segment disease (increased stress on vertebrae above or below the fusion).
  • Persistent pain or the need for additional surgery.

Recovery & hospital stay

  • Hospital stay typically involves 3-5 days for pain management, monitoring, and initial physical therapy.
  • Patients are encouraged to walk with assistance soon after surgery to promote healing.
  • A back brace may be prescribed for several weeks to limit motion and support the spine.
  • Activities are restricted: no bending, twisting, or lifting heavy objects (more than 5-10 lbs) for 6-12 weeks.
  • Gradual return to normal activities over 3-6 months, guided by a structured physical therapy program.
  • Complete bone fusion and maximum benefit can take 6 months to a year or more.
  • Follow-up appointments are crucial to monitor healing with X-rays.
  • checked Typical hospital stay: 3-5 days
  • checked Expected recovery time: 3-6 months for basic activities; 12+ months for full fusion

Frequently Asked Questions

If you are considering posterior lumbar interbody fusion in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.

Procedure cost in other countries

Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for posterior lumbar interbody fusion compare across other countries where we have data.

Country Estimated cost range Typical stay Recovery time View details
India INR 350 Thousand – 800 Thousand 3-5 days ~ 3-6 months for basic activities; 12+ months for full fusion Know More
Turkey TRY 1.23 Million – 2.8 Million 3-5 days ~ 3-6 months for basic activities; 12+ months for full fusion Know More

Top hospitals for Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion in India

These partner hospitals in India have dedicated neurosurgery teams and experience managing patients undergoing posterior lumbar interbody fusion.

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Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar

  • IconHyderabad, India
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3363+ Rating

Kamineni Hospital, King Koti

  • IconHyderabad, India
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15+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Mukundapur

  • IconKolkata, India
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43+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Dhakuria

  • IconKolkata, India
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1681+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Dwarka

  • IconDelhi, India
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121+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Ghaziabad

  • IconGhaziabad, India
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150+ Rating

Cytecare Hospital

  • IconBangalore, India
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10171+ Rating

Miot Hospital Chennai

  • IconChennai, India
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5734+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Siliguri

  • IconSiliguri, India
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65+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Salt Lake

  • IconKolkata, India
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15+ Rating

SIMS Hospital Vadapalani

  • IconChennai, India
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20+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar

  • IconBhubaneshwar, India
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5740+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road

  • IconBangalore, India
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PATIENT REVIEW

Myra Saxena, a 58-year-old retired school...

Myra Saxena, a 58-year-old retired school principal, had always been active, but a progressive, sharp pain radiating down her right leg changed everything. For two years, she managed with painkillers and physiotherapy for what was diagnosed as severe degenerative disc disease and spondylolisthesis at L4-L5. The pain became constant, making it impossible to stand for more than a few minutes or enjoy her daily walks with her grandchildren. Her neurosurgeon, after reviewing her MRI showing significant nerve compression and spinal instability, recommended a Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF). He explained it would remove the damaged disc, relieve pressure on the nerve, and stabilize the spine with implants and bone graft. Myra was terrified of spinal surgery but felt she had no quality of life left. The procedure went smoothly. Her post-op hospital stay was challenging with initial pain and mobility restrictions, but the sciatic pain was gone. After three months of strict rehabilitation, she gradually returned to light activities. A year later, while she avoids high-impact exercises, she is pain-free, gardening again, and actively involved with her family. Emotionally, she journeyed from fear and despair to immense relief and gratitude, regaining her independence and joy.

Neurosurgeons for Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion

Explore experienced neurosurgeons who regularly perform posterior lumbar interbody fusion and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.

Dr. Paraneetharan M
  • 18 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Tamil, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 900
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Harisha P N
  • 22 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 600
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Anmol Nagaraj
  • 13 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 700
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Lakshman I Kongwad
  • 10 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 850
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Harish
  • 9 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 700
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Vybhav Raghu
  • 9 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 600
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Veeresha U Mathad
  • 11 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 500
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Ajay Hegde
  • 9 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 700
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Abhishek H R
  • 8 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 900
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Harsha Hegde
  • 8 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 500
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Paritosh Pandey
  • 21 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 800
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Bopanna KM
  • 29 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Paritosh Pandey
  • 21 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Sathwik R Shetty
  • 19 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Praveen Ganigi
  • 20 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Arun Bhandari
  • 17 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 800
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Jaskaran Singh
  • 13 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 900
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Maqsood Ahmed Abdul Rahman
  • 17 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 800
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Mysore, Mysore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Sudheer Kumar Gundamaneni
  • 15 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 850
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Vijayawada, vijayawada

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Vuppu Ravi Kanth
  • 14 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 800
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Vijayawada, vijayawada

OPD-desk synced • Updated