Cemlif

Cemlif is a medical device company offering a minimally invasive lumbar interbody fusion surgery that uses an interbody spacer combined with cement augmentation to stabilize the spine without screws or rods. The procedure involves a standard anterior or lateral approach to place the spacer, followed by a cement technique that bonds the spacer and vertebrae together. The website states this approach is intended to reduce surgical impact, minimize discomfort, and support a smoother recovery compared to traditional fusion with hardware.

The CemLIF procedure typically takes approximately 45 minutes per level of spinal repair, though the exact duration depends on the individual case and complexity of the condition. It is a modification to existing anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) and lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) procedures that replaces the need for pedicle screws and rods with bone cement stabilization.

Most patients who have had a lumbar fusion procedure recommended by a spine surgeon will be a good candidate for CemLIF. To determine if you are a candidate, you must request a Free MRI Review with Dr. Frenkel's team, which collects the necessary details to assess your imaging.

CemLIF can treat conditions such as degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, lumbar radiculopathy, and recurrent disc herniation. The company offers a Free MRI Review to help patients evaluate their eligibility for the procedure.

The CemLIF procedure uses polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), which is the traditional bone cement introduced in orthopedic surgery in the 1950s. This cement bonds the spacer to the adjacent vertebrae, effectively casting the spine to support the fusion as it heals.

CemLIF-A utilizes an anterior approach, typically for the L5-S1 level, while CemLIF-L uses a lateral approach for levels above L5-S1. Both approaches utilize cement augmentation but are tailored to provide optimal access and stabilization for specific areas of the lumbar spine.

Assuming you meet your insurance or Medicare's criteria for a lumbar fusion, they will generally cover the majority of the surgery, including the hospital stay and anesthesia. However, insurance will not cover the CemLIF portion of the procedure as it involves the off-label use of bone cement, which usually costs around $10,000 for a single level fusion.

Dr. Mark Frenkel, MD, MA, FAANS, FCNS is the inventor of the CemLIF procedure and a board-certified neurosurgeon and spine surgeon based in Naples, Florida. He is a fellow of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, having authored numerous peer-reviewed publications in prestigious neurosurgical journals.

The business is located at 6101 Pine Ridge Road Naples, Florida 34119. Patients can contact the office by calling (888) 907-2462 or emailing contact@CemLIF.com to schedule consultations or send imaging.

The website provides a Free MRI Review feature where patients can submit their imaging for evaluation by Dr. Frenkel's team. This is the fastest route to get in touch with the team if you already know you would like them to look at your MRI, CT, or X-ray.

Cemlif has been operating since at least 2026, as indicated by the copyright date on their website. The company focuses on transforming spinal fusion with advanced solutions and prioritizes stability, recovery, and comfort without many of the traditional hardships of surgery.

The procedure involves a three-step process: first, the surgeon performs a standard anterior or lateral lumbar interbody fusion placing a spacer to restore disc height; second, they skip the traditional screws and rods step; and third, they use cement augmentation to bond the spacer to the vertebrae.

The official website of Cemlif is cemlif.com.

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