Recently,
Dr. Alan Villavicencio of
Boulder Neurosurgical and Spine Associates discussed a new clinic trial for a minimally invasive surgical procedure
for the treatment of lower back using the LimiFlex™ Paraspinous
Tension Band.
As we age, our spine changes due to “wear and tear” from normal,
everyday activities. With spinal stenosis, aging may cause spaces in the spine to narrow and press against spinal
nerves. Many people with spinal stenosis also have spondylolisthesis,
a type of instability where one spine bone “slips” forward
over the one below. Degenerative spondylolisthesis is a widespread problem
in older adults and is one of the most common conditions for which surgery
is performed in the US. Symptoms usually consist of low back and leg pain,
numbness or weakness in the legs.
The symptoms of patients with lumbar spinal stenosis with or without degenerative
spondylolisthesis can sometimes be successfully treated with non-operative
treatments such as physical therapy, medications, or injections. Should
these treatments fail to provide lasting relief, a surgical procedure
to trim or remove bones and soft tissue pressing against the nerves. This
process, called decompression, can relieve pain at the source, but also
increases spinal instability. To compensate for this, surgeons often use
screws and implants to “fuse” together segments of the spine
to help stabilize them, a process known as “spinal fusion.”
Boulder Community Health is currently the only location in Colorado participating
in an FDA-controlled clinical trial to evaluate a minimally invasive treatment
for degenerative spinal stenosis with spondylolisthesis as an alternative
to spinal fusion. LimiFlex™ is a new, investigational device used
during standard spinal decompression surgery designed to stabilize the
spine without fusing it, preserving the natural motion of the spine. LimiFlex™
is made of two spring-like titanium rods that are wrapped around the back
of two spine segments – this provides stability to the spine while
also allowing the spine to move in a controlled manner.
The immediate benefits include a minimally invasive procedure with reduced
blood loss, shorter operative time and faster recovery. The long-term
benefits consist of potentially avoiding drawbacks associated with fusion.
Boulder Neurosurgical & Spine Associates is currently enrolling patients
in the trial and the enrollment is expected to continue through December
2020 and then the patients will be followed for 5 years. Patients can
see if they qualify for the study by visiting this link:
http://www.limiflexstudy.com/ or email to get more information:
info@bnasurg.com