Degenerative Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Degenerative Lumbar Spinal Stenosis is a consequence of the natural aging process. Tissues will progressively harden and become less flexible. The intervertebral discs, that act as shock absorbers,, become thinner and sclerotic. The bone structures and ligaments thicken, often because they are subject to a major load. This results in narrowing of the spaces where the spinal cord and nerve roots are located in, causing the nerves to be squeezed.
Recent studies showed that 8% of the world’s population suffer from degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis. Some people having back pain discover that they are affected by degenerative lumbar stenosis only after having seen a specialist.
“Stenosis” means a narrowing of the spinal canal and of the lateral foramina; it is from here that nerve structures exit. This means a compression or a squeezing of the spinal cord and of the nerve roots, resulting in symptoms such as:
- Dull or aching back pain that may spread to the legs
- Numbness and “pins and needles” in the legs, calves or buttocks
- Weakness or a loss of balance
- A decreased endurance for physical activity
The symptoms can be generally relieved by sitting down, by leaning forward or by putting the feet in an elevated position, as the bending of the back naturally opens up the space of the spinal canal.
Traditional therapeutic treatments include:
- Conservative treatment (non-surgical). For patients suffering from mild to moderate DLSS, treatments such as medication, physical therapy and spinal injections will provide pain relief. Over the time, as the disease progresses, these treatments will prove less effective. Once the pain becomes unmanageable, a surgical treatment option must be considered.
- Surgical decompression (invasive approach). It is done by removing bone and soft tissue and stabilizing the affected level.
Specialists now have the option of treating this pathology, in an early stage, using a new percutaneous surgical procedure.
At least 6 months of conservative treatment is always required. An innovative device, the AperiusTM PercLIDTM implant relieves the painful symptoms associated to the so-called 21stcentury spinal pathology.
It is a short procedure and can be implanted percutaneously using local anesthesia, causing a minimum of discomfort. It restores the distance between the spinous processes thus giving space to the nerve structures and decompressing without tissue removal. This results in an immediate relief from painful symptoms (inflammation, limitations of the spinal functionality, lumbar disease, difficulty in movements, “pins and needles” in the legs, pain in prolonged walking or standing)
The AperiusTM PercLIDTM System opens up a new dimension of interspinous decompression by offering the least invasive treatment option to date.
Relief of leg pain symptoms normally occurs in 24 to 48 hours after the procedure. The patient can stand up and walk within 48 hours after the procedure.
Benefits of the AperiusTM PercLIDTM
- It provides immediate pain relief without invasive surgery
- The procedure associated risk is very low and blood loss is minimal
- A short, simple procedure that leaves future treatment options open
- It’s a procedure that requires a short hospital stay
- It allows quick return to daily activities
