ILIF (Interlaminar Lumbar Instrumented Fusion) Spine Surgery

Medically reviewed by Dr. David L. Greenwald, MD, FAANS, FACS — dual board-certified spine surgeon & neurosurgeon. Last reviewed October 2026.

ILIF — interlaminar lumbar instrumented fusion — places a small fixation device at the back of a lumbar level, usually after a decompression, to provide targeted stabilization and fusion with less disruption than a full pedicle-screw construct. It's a focused, minimally invasive option for select patients.

Book a Consultation — (602) 566-9500

How an ILIF Works

Procedure Overview

ILIF combines a decompression with a small, focused fixation device placed between the spinous processes at the back of the lumbar level, plus bone graft to fuse. It stabilizes the level after decompression without the larger footprint of a full pedicle-screw fusion — a middle-ground option for the right patient who needs some stabilization but not an extensive construct.

Conditions We Treat

Am I a Candidate?

ILIF is considered for select patients who need a decompression (for example, for spinal stenosis) along with modest stabilization — but not a larger fusion. Candidacy depends on the degree of instability and your anatomy; a careful evaluation determines whether ILIF, a decompression alone, or a more extensive fusion is the best fit.

Book a Consultation — (602) 566-9500

Benefits & Risks

Expected Outcomes

For appropriately selected patients, ILIF provides the stabilization needed after a decompression with less surgery than a full fusion, and a correspondingly smoother recovery. The key is candidacy — which is why a careful evaluation matters. We set clear, individualized expectations.

Life Beyond the Pain

How It's Performed

Through a minimally invasive posterior approach, the surgeon decompresses the nerves, then places the interlaminar fixation device with bone graft between the spinous processes to stabilize and fuse the level. The focused construct spares much of the surrounding tissue.

Recovery & Return to Activity

Minimally invasive, muscle-sparing techniques typically mean a smaller incision, less blood loss, less pain, and a faster recovery than equivalent open surgery. Not every case is a candidate for MIS — we'll tell you honestly when an open approach is safer.

Insurance, Out-of-Network & Cost

Cost and coverage shouldn't stand between you and relief. Desert Spine and Pain welcomes out-of-network patients and will walk you through what your evaluation and treatment are likely to involve before anything is scheduled — so there are no surprises. We'll help you understand your benefits and options, whether you're using insurance, paying out-of-pocket, or being treated under a personal-injury claim.

Proudly Serving the Greater Phoenix, Arizona Area

Why Choose Our Spine Specialists in Phoenix

Choosing the right spine specialist in Phoenix matters. At Desert Spine and Pain, your care is led by Dr. David L. Greenwald, MD, FAANS, FACS — a physician who is both a board-certified spine surgeon and a neurosurgeon. That dual expertise is rare, and it means one expert can guide you across the full spectrum of care — from a simple injection to complex surgery — and recommend what is genuinely best for you, whether you need a spine doctor for conservative care or a surgeon when surgery is truly the answer.

ILIF: Frequently Asked Questions