Clinical Research Directory

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients from the practices of Drs. Singh, Mallozzi, Moss * Transpsoas (PTP or LTP) lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) 1-3 disc levels with posterior instrumentation (Open or MIS) with or without laminectomy, must include L3-4 and/or L4-5 * Patients who agree to be a part of the study * Patients with lumbar disc degeneration * Patients between ages of 18 and 75 Exclusion Criteria: * Scoliosis \>10° * Spondylolisthesis \>Grade 1 * Flatback deformity * Patients with insulin dependent diabetes * Patients with \>3 levels of fusion * Alternative interbodies * Chronic oral steroid users * Patients with allergy/intolerance to depo-medrol or other steroids * Patients requiring bilateral transpsoas approaches * Patients with ipsilateral symptomatic hip pathology * Revision fusion procedures * Cases involving trauma, tumor, or infection * Patient's not capable of providing consent themselves * Non-fluent English speakers (for consenting reasons) * Patients who are lost to follow-up before the two year follow up period