What's your experience with Vertiflex Superion Implant?

"if it sounds too good to be true"..... AND The Mayo doesn't offer it.. beware?

I have taken very conservative approach to my LSS. Thus far I have had a endoscopic discectomy at Arizona Spine Institute in 2018 that fixed my L5/S1 foraminal disc fragment causing severe sciatica. Took 3 months and a steroid shot to get full benefits. Post MRI shows original fragment actually moved from the procedure so now I am wondering.
In June of this year I had Veriflex installed at L2/L3 severe stenosis. A little disappointed but some improvement however I am still pursuing possible endoscopic discectomy and/or MILD treatment at same level. They all recommend Laminectomy but I am resisting that for now...I want to review L2/L3 with my doctor first so we are on same page.

After 27 years of botched surgery, PT, medicine, injections, dealing with Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) and a whole array of supposedly "good" doctors, I discovered Vertiflex through my own research. I have Lumbar Spinal Stenosis and my latest doctor suddenly suggested fusion surgery from L3-4 L4-5, to L 5-1. Although the logic of the procedure makes more sense to me than any of the proposed, it sounds too good to be true. My major hesitation is based on fact that neither HSS or the Mayo Clinic list Vertiflex as one of its suggested treatments among the dozen or so that they recommend. Can anyone explain why neither of these cutting edge hospitals recommend it and none of the numerous doctors I have been to seem to even know about it?

I had vertiflex at l2/l3 in June 2022. Neutral impact. Hopefully it will prevent further deterioration over time. Still have "shopping cart syndrome" and some leg pain in both legs after moderate nights sleep.

I hear you. Gotta do as much homework as possible. In the end patient decision.
Most surgeons are not trained on these new minimal procedures so they do what they know the best.

Not overanalyzing at all. I had it done in June of 2022. I know a person who had a spacer installed at a much younger age and he said it fixed his problem and he is not in his 90's. Does not mean it is right for you. I did a lot of research and decided to do it as it seems to be (and was) a fairly simple procedure that took about 30 minutes. I was mildly sedated ( like a colonoscopy) and I could actually feel the surgeon hammering it in but no pain. The results have been neutral to minor improvement. Hoping will prevent worsening. Kinda made sense to me.

yes. Veriflex is a physical spacer that goes between vertebrae. Discectomy removes portions of the disc which sits between 2 vertebrae.

Thank you for the information ! After the surgery, what were the restrictions on your activities and for how long? e.g. drive a car, PT, etc.

I had 2 Vertiflex procedures about a year ago. Some temporary relief for a few weeks, then downhill from there. Prior to the implants, I was in pain but mobile and active. Since the implants, I have been in considerable NEW pain for a year and essentially a virtual cripple. I finally went to an actual spine surgeon. He reviewed the original MRI I had before the procedures. He quickly determined that I have "spinal canal stenosis" (there are 3 types) for which the Veriflex implants are ineffective. The Doctor that performed the implants was an anesthesiologist, not a spine specialist, which apparently is the case with many of the doctors that perform that procedure. Basically, I was originally misdiagnosed. Suggest you get a second opinion.

None beginning the day after. I think the key is to be able to sit with your doctor and actually look at the MRI with him/her and "buy in" to whatever explanation you are given. I know this is a tall order for most docs.