One-point-two million Americans suffer from lumbar spinal stenosis. It's a condition that can cause debilitating pain. Spinal fusion surgery can help, but it sometimes leaves patients with limited mobility. Now, there's a new treatment on the horizon; it's a joint replacement for the spine!
Eileen Eckert is a mom, grandma, and now great-grandma!
"I love it. I'm on the go!" exclaimed Eileen Eckert.
But keeping up with the little ones was tough when Eileen developed spinal stenosis, a condition that causes narrowing of the spinal canal and lots of pain.
"It was a stabbing pain," Eckert told Ivanhoe, "It just got more and more painful."
Eileen's doctor told her about a brand new procedure, and she was one of the first patients in the country to have it.
Eckert said, "I said if it's going to take the pain away, let's do it!"
As part of a clinical trial, surgeon Neel Anand is performing a joint replacement for the spine. He first removes parts of the facet joints.
"In the back, there are two joints, called facet joints that actually move," Neel Anand, M.D., Clinical Professor of Surgery and Director of Spine Trauma at Cedars-Sinai told Ivanhoe.
He then implants artificial facet joints that move and function just like healthy joints. With traditional spinal fusion, patients have limited mobility and risk further spine degeneration. With the new joint replacement, the goal is for patients to be able to move freely and not compromise their spine. Eileen noticed immediate relief.
"She's certainly somebody who has benefitted from this," explained Dr. Anand.
Now she can lift her great-grandson without pain holding her back.
Nearly 30 centers across the country are participating in a clinical trial to test the facet joint replacement surgery. To date, over 300 patients have been enrolled and treated in this clinical trial.
Contributors to this news report include: Cyndy McGrath, Supervising Producer; Marsha Hitchcock, Field Producer; Rusty Reed, Videographer; Kim Coley, News Assistant; Jamie Koczan, Editor.
BACKGROUND: Lumbar spinal stenosis occurs when the spinal nerves in the lower back are chocked (stenosis), leading to pain. This particular condition is caused by aging; the facet joints get larger and press on the spinal roots in the lower back. The biggest symptom is pain when active, and usually sitting will bring relief. Standing can cause further discomfort because it decreases space for the nerve roots and blocks the outflow of blood from around the nerve.
DIAGNOSIS/TREATMENT: There are three major types of stenosis. Each have different criteria when it comes to treatment:
· As the most common type of spinal stenosis, lateral stenosis occurs when a nerve root that has left the spinal canal is compressed by either a bulging disc, herniated disc or bone protrusion beyond the foramen (a bony, hollow archway through which all spinal nerve roots run).
· Occurring when the central canal in the lower back is choked, central stenosis may lead to compression of the cauda equina nerve roots (the bundle of roots that branch off at the bottom of the spinal cord like a horse's tail).
· Foraminal stenosis is when a nerve root in the lower back is pressed on and trapped by a bone spur in the foramen, or the opening where the nerve root leaves the spinal canal.
Depending on the type of spinal stenosis a patient has, there are different invasive and non-invasive ways to treat their level of pain. Guided exercise or physical therapy can help prevent further degeneration due to inactivity caused by pain symptoms. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as well as epidural injections and targeted drug therapy can help relieve mild to moderate pain.
NEW PROCEDURE: The Facet Joint Replacement (FJR) surgery utilizes artificial facet joints called ACADIA ™ Facet Replacement System which are designed to mimic the motion and function of healthy facet joints in the lumbar spine. The surgery consists of trimming or removing parts of the vertebrae that are pressing against the spinal nerves; this requires the complete removal of the inflamed facet joints. Rather than traditionally "fusing" the vertebrae, the ARCADIA™ system is used. It is sized and modified for each individual patient, restoring motion and stability to the lower spine. Currently, the FDA has determined the system an investigational device and is conducting a study to test its effectiveness for those with degenerative spinal stenosis.