Dr. Michael Thomas is a neurosurgeon with a focus on minimally invasive spinal surgery. Currently practicing in the Yakima, Washington, area at Cascade Neurosurgical Associates where he is the attending neurosurgeon, Dr. Michael Thomas recently spoke at the AANS/CNS Section for Spine and Peripheral Nerve in Phoenix on the topic of Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion.

1. Dr. Michael Thomas,
Neurosurgeon

2.  Dr. Michael Thomas is a neurosurgeon with a focus on
minimally invasive spinal surgery. Currently practicing
in the Yakima, Washington, area at Cascade
Neurosurgical Associates where he is the attending
neurosurgeon, Dr. Michael Thomas recently spoke at
the AANS/CNS Section for Spine and Peripheral Nerve
in Phoenix on the topic of Anterior Lumbar Interbody
Fusion.
Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF) is a type of
spinal fusion and a widely available surgical technique.
ALIF is completed by accessing the spinal region
through the front or abdomen of a patient, rather than
through the back.

3.  Generally utilized when spinal pain can be accurately
diagnosed to a specific spot, spinal fusion surgery
corrects issues with bones in the vertebrae by fusing
the affected bones together.
Following the ALIF procedure, recovery typically
includes forms of physical and occupational therapy.
Although ALIF surgery allows patients to leave the
hospital in three to four days, patients are required to
avoid bending at the waist, lifting heavy objects, or
twisting excessively for up to six weeks following the
operation. ALIF patients usually experience quicker
recovery times than those that require posterior spinal
surgery, which requires a longer hospital stay.