ABSTRACT
Lumbar spine surgery, like other orthopaedic surgeries, is often relatively painful. Conventionally, this has been managed using high doses of narcotics and other medications. The patients are often nauseous, feel generally unwell, have no appetite, and even if allowed out of bed have no energy or desire to get up and move around. The undesirable consequence of this approach is a period of immobility and often a prolonged hospital stay, increased risk of infection and VTE. In an attempt to improve our outcomes, Dr. Kerr and I set about modifying the LIA technique for use in lumbar spine surgery.
