New Procedure Offers Relief for Painful Spinal Condition

Article submitted by Dorene Weinstein and she can be reached at dweinste@argusleader.com.

When Paul Kaus' right leg went numb for a year, he lost strength and function due to his nearly constant pain. Kaus' ability to climb stairs was hampered since he only could use one leg. His diagnosis: spinal stenosis and three herniated disks. Kaus isn't alone. More of us are having back problems than any other period in history. Eighty percent of Americans visit their doctor for some type of back complaint, says Dr. Gail Benson, orthopedic surgeon at Orthopedic Institute.

Why is it so common now?

We live longer and body parts wear out, says Benson. Spinal disks and vertebrae are at their peak at age 12, it's downhill after that.
When aging backs hurt, spinal stenosis is often the culprit. It is the most common back affliction of people over 55, says Dr. Walter Carlson, orthopedic surgeon at the Orthopedic Institute.

Doctors told Kaus about a new procedure they've been doing for the past year. The interspinous process decompression, or IPD, utilizes a titanium implant that looks like bullet with wings, which is fitted into the groove between two spinous processes in the back of your spine. The Mechanism, called the X-Stop, is designed to keep the space between your spinous processes open so that the nerves in your back will not be pinched or painful. Kaus had two implants placed last month and has been back to work for three weeks. His pain isn't completely gone but "it's a little better all the time." His leg strength is improving and he can climb stairs with both legs again.

"The procedure is less invasive than a standard laminectomy," Benson says. The incision is smaller, only 4-5 inches long, recovery time is shorter and complications are fewer.

"Patients stays in the hospital overnight and typically go home the next day," Carlson says.

Best of all, the pain is relieved. "As soon as they get out of bed, the leg and hip pain is gone."

What is an X-Stop

X Stop is the brand name for a nonfusion surgical implant used to treat lumbar spinal stenosis, a condition that causes pain and may limit physical function. X Stop is a device made out of titanium alloy a surgeon inserts between the spinous processes - the stubby, finger like bones that protrude off the back of the vertebrae.
Source: Spineuniverse.com

Need an X-Stop? Here are some common symptoms to look for

Pain or cramping in the legs. The discomfort usually eases when you bend forward or sit down, but it continues if you stand upright.
Radiating back and hip pain. A herniated disk can compress nerves in your lumbar spine, leading to pain that starts in your hip or buttocks and extends down the back of your leg. The pain is worse when you're sitting and generally affects only one side. You also may experience numbness, weakness or tingling in your leg or foot. For some people, the radiating pain is a minor annoyance, but for others, it can be debilitating.
Pain in the neck and shoulders. This is likely to occur when the nerves in your neck are compressed. The pain might occur only occasionally or it may be chronic, and it sometimes can extend into your arm or hand. You also may experience headaches, a loss of sensation or muscle weakness.
Loss of balance. Pressure on the cervical spinal cord can affect the nerves that control your balance, resulting in clumsiness or a tendency to fall.
Loss of bowel or bladder function. In severe cases, nerves to the bladder or bowel may be affected, leading to partial or complete urinary or fecal incontinence. If you experience any of these problems, seek medical care right away.

Source: Mayoclinic.com