The X-Stop spacer
The X-Stop Spacer
The X-Stop is a titanium implant designed to keep the spinal canal open, which relieves compression that has caused the pain. “The unique design with wings (see illustration) holds the implant firmly in place, preventing it from sliding side to side or moving from front to back,” says Dr. Kureshi. Because it is not fixed to any bony structures, the X-STOP procedure does not require fusion.
The X-STOP Spacer procedure is the first non-fusion treatment for patients with lumbar spinal stenosis is a small implant that fits between two bones in the back of your spine—at the level of the pinched nerve. You can feel these bones, called the spinous processes, when you run your fingers down your spine. Once in place, the X-STOP Spacer can lift the vertebra off the pinched nerve.
The X-STOP Spacer is implanted during a short procedure—typically 45 to 90 minutes The X-STOP procedure is minimally invasive. It’s not like traditional surgery, such as a laminectomy, which removes structurally important bone (lamina) and tissue (ligaments that connect the vertebrae). The X-STOP Spacer preserves your anatomy and your spinal stability. That’s why it may offer a short recovery time and a low complication rate. And the spacer is not positioned close to nerves or the spinal column, but rather behind the spinal cord between the spinous processes. In some patients, it can be performed on an outpatient basis and with local anesthesia. This is an especially important benefit for people who should avoid general anesthesia due to their age or other health conditions.
