NASSAU UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER OFFERING INNOVATIVE SOLUTION TO TREAT LUMBAR SPINAL STENOSIS
March 3, 2009
Contact: Shelley Lotenberg
(516) 572-6055
shelley@numc.edu
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
NASSAU UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER OFFERING INNOVATIVE SOLUTION TO TREAT LUMBAR SPINAL STENOSIS
X-STOP IPD PROCEDURE OFFERS MANY PATIENTS RELIEF FROM SYMPTOMS
East Meadow, New York……..Gary Gonya, MD, orthopaedic spine surgeon at Nassau University Medical Center, announced today that he is offering a new minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) symptoms. LSS is a common spinal problem suffered mainly by people over 50, and is often associated with leg, buttock, groin and sometimes back pain.
The new approach involved implanting an X-STP device during a minimally invasive procedure that takes about 45 to 90 minutes and can be done under local anesthesia. The procedure has a low complication rate, and has been clinically proven to relieve the symptoms of LSS. Because standing upright provokes LSS symptoms, the X-STOP implant is designed to limit extension of the lumbar spine and keep the canal open.
“A good candidate for the X-STOP procedure is someone aged 50 or older whose physical function is moderately impaired and who experiences relief from pain when bending forward,” said Gary Gonya, MD.
The X-STOP procedure involves implanting an X-STOP PIPD device (a titanium alloy implant) on a minimally invasive, reversible procedure that takes about 45 to 90 minutes and can be done under local anesthesia.
The X-STOP device underwent extensive clinical study and is the first device approved in the U.S. to treat the symptoms of LSS.
“This new procedure fills the gap in the continuum of care that, until now, required my patients to make the leap from conservative therapies, such as pain management medications and physical therapy, straight to invasive surgery such as a laminectomy,” states Gary Gonya, MD, orthopaedic spine surgeon, NUMC.
A laminectomy involves removing parts of the bone and tissue that are narrowing the spinal canal. It is an open and invasive surgical procedure that requires general anesthesia. Often, this is not appropriate option for patients who cannot tolerate general anesthesia due to age and other co-morbidities.
Patient benefits of the X-STOP IPD procedure include:
Minimally invasive surgical procedure
Does not require general anesthesia, can be done under a local anesthetic as an outpatient procedure
Typically no bone or soft tissue removal
The implant is removable and does not prevent a patient from undergoing surgery at a later time
Quick recovery time
According to Steven J. Walerstein, MD, senior vice president for medical affairs and medical director at the Nassau Health Care Corporation, “LSS is on the rise due to the aging American population. Between 1997 and 2004, the number of hospital in-patient diagnosis of lumbar spinal stenosis has increased 46%. In fact, LSS is the most common cause of back surgery in people over the age of 50. Until the X-STOP IPD procedure, LSS patients have not had a minimally invasive treatment available for relieving the symptom associated with the disease.”
The X-STOP system is indicated for patients aged 50 or older, who suffer from neurogenic intermittent claudication secondary to lumbar spinal stenosis confirmed with X-ray, MRI or CT scans. Patients receiving the X-STOP implant should have already been under a doctor’s care received non-surgical treatment for their symptoms for at least six months and operative treatment is indicated at no more than two levels. For information or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Gonya, please call the NUMC orthopaedics department at 516-572-6702.