X-STOP APPLICATION IN NARROW CANAL (SPINAL STENOSIS) PATIENTS- New Minimally Invasive Intervention
Lumbar Narrow Canal; It is a disease that occurs as a result of compression of the spinal cord and/or nerves as a result of calcification, growth or hardening of the area (canal) of the nerves going to the spinal cord and the leg, the bone or the connective tissue surrounding it. The diameter of this area (canal) that we normally define in the lumbar region is between 15-25 mm, but this diameter decreases to 5-10 mm in patients with Narrow Canal. Canal Stenosis can be congenital or acquired. The most common is acquired narrow canal, which develops due to the reasons I mentioned above. It is commonly seen in the age of 50 and above. It is slightly more common in women than men.
Pain, numbness, cramps may be seen in the lower back and legs. Patients often complain of pain, numbness and cramps in the legs that occur with walking or standing and require rest.
Narrow Canal is the most common cause of back surgery performed in patients aged 50 and over in the USA. The most obvious signs of spinal canal stenosis are low back pain and pain and weakness in the legs that occur when walking or standing. Patients usually lean forward while walking for relaxation and are often relieved by sitting. Obesity and psychological disorders begin to appear in patients whose movements are restricted.
In treatment; Previously, in canal stenosis surgeries, the spinal canal was opened bilaterally or the posterior bone of the spine was removed as it was. In these patients, deterioration in the static of the spine was observed over time, and the spine was started to be fixed with screws and platinum.
However, since this type of surgery is major surgery, it is quite late for the patient to recover and return to normal life.
Today, Interspinous Distraction Devices (X-STOP), which provides a very simple solution to this problem, have been developed and are widely used in the USA. Thanks to this device, which is placed in the area of the stenosis with an intervention of approximately 5-10 minutes, the narrow canal is relieved without any risk, without the need for bone removal, screws and platinum. Patients can be discharged on foot after approximately 3-4 hours.
Ideal patients for this intervention:
1. Patients 50 years and older
2. Patients with reduced pain when bending forward
3. One or patients with two-level stenosis
Associate Professor Volkan Aydın
