Florida Orthopaedic Associates is enrolling patients for clinical trial

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posted Sep 21, 2011 - 5:25:43pm

DeLand residents suffering from leg and lower back pain, may be interested in a minimally invasive procedure to treat moderate lumbar spinal stenosis being tested in a clinical trial at Florida Orthopaedic Associates. Florida Orthopaedic Associates is currently enrolling patients in a national clinical study to assess the safety and effectiveness of the Superion® Interspinous Spacer (ISS) in patients who suffer from moderate lumbar spinal stenosis.

Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal which compresses the nerves traveling through the lower back into the legs. It is believed to be the cause of leg and back pain for nearly 1.2 million Americans—an estimate that is expected to double over the next decade as the “baby boomer” population continues to age. Spinal stenosis can seriously affect an individual’s ability to enjoy the activities of everyday living. Typically, individuals experience chronic pain in the lower back region along with radiating leg pain when standing or walking – many dismiss this pain as part of old age or arthritis.

Spinal stenosis is typically treated with physical therapy and other noninvasive therapies. However, physical therapy and drug therapy can be expensive, and are not curative. For patients who fail drug therapy and/or physical therapy, a physician may recommend a surgical spinal procedure, which can involve a large incision, a lengthy recovery, and the patient may experience limited mobility after the procedure.

The Superion ISS was designed as an alternative to traditional spinal surgery and the more invasive commercially available X-STOP® IPD®. The Superion’s minimally invasive surgical technique is performed through a single, half-inch skin incision, between the spinous processes (the bone you feel when you run your hand down your back) to open the passageways that contain the spinal cord and nerve roots. This may reduce the compression on the nerves, resulting in potential pain relief in the leg, groin and buttocks.

Individuals suffering from leg pain and numbness caused by lumbar spinal stenosis, who would like to receive more information about the Superion™ Interspinous Spacer Clinical Trial, should call 1-888-978-8391, or visit www.superionstudy.com/index.html.

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