X STOP May Reduce Neurogenic Claudication in Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Description: The X STOP May Reduce Neurogenic Claudication in Lumbar Spinal Stenosis CME
June 23, 2005 — The X STOP, an interspinous process decompression system, is successful in reducing symptoms of neurogenic intermittent claudication (NIC) secondary to lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS), according to the results of a multicenter, prospective, randomized study published in the June 15 issue of Spine.
"X STOP provides an alternative therapy to conservative treatment and decompressive surgery for patients suffering from NIC," write James F. Zucherman, MD, from St Mary's Hospital in San Francisco, California, and colleagues. "The X STOP is implanted between the spinous processes and reduces pathologic extension at the symptomatic level(s), while allowing flexion and unrestricted axial rotation and lateral bending. Biomechanical studies have shown that the implant significantly reduces intradiscal pressure and facet load and prevents narrowing of the spinal canal and neural foramens."