Interspinous Process Spacers for spinal stenosis

@martyk I wanted to try to find some information for you and I ran across a couple of studies. The first link is an older study and the 2nd one is newer literature. There is a cadaver photo of a portion of the spine showing the pedicle screw connections for connecting rods in one of the articles, and both show medical imaging and surgical photos. I wanted to say that upfront in case that would be disturbing. These studies compare similar devices to the Stabilink System. This device is placed on the outside of the spine between the spineous processes ( what you can feel sticking up). It attaches to bone. The spinal cord inside the spinal canal has to be protected from pressure, compression and damage. When discs rupture and collapse, and bone spurs grow inside the spinal canal, that can intrude into the spinal cord. A damaged disc can also allow a sideways, forward or backward movement if there is instability call listhesis or spondylolisthesis. The Stabilink works by stopping movement of the vertebrae it attaches to in all directions and distracts the spine (meaning spreading the vertebrae apart to take pressure off a disc). This can be used in addition to other spine fixation methods like rods according to the manufacturers website, Southern Spine. http://southernspine.net/

Here are the other links.

From the North American Spine Society in 2014
"Controversies about Interspinous Process Devices in the Treatment of Degenerative Lumbar Spine Diseases: Past, Present, and Future"
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2014/975052/

Excerpt:

The 2011 clinical guidelines from the NASS (North American Spine Society) suggested that there is insufficient evidence at this time to make a recommendation for or against the placement of an interspinous process spacing device in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. The American pain Society guidelines indicated that interspinous spacer device have a B recommendation: the net benefit is considered moderate through two years, with insufficient evidence to estimate the net benefit for long-term outcomes [82, 83]. Current evidence is not sufficient to permit conclusions whether any beneficial effect from interspinous process decompression provides significant advantages over laminectomy, which is the current standard of care for surgical decompression of lumbar spinal stenosis. Interspinous process decompression is still considered investigational and poor clinical results in the medical literature will continue to limit the appeal of these devices to many surgeons in the future. But, because of the low invasiveness of the surgical implantation of the interspinous devices, this technique seems to have robust pathophysiological grounding and promises to play an important role in the future degenerative lumbar microsurgery, especially in the older population."

The other link is:

"Adjustable Rigid Interspinous Process Fixation: A Biomechanical Study of Segmental Lordosis and Interbody Loading in the Lumbar Spine"
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6538115/

Hopefully other patients will join this conversation if they have experience with the Stabilink System. I am a spine surgery patient with no hardware. I had a cervical fusion with only a cadaver bone disc implant.

You may find different procedures to solve your structural spine issues if you consult different surgeons. Have you also considered getting other surgical opinions that may involve a different implant or hardware solution for comparison? What would be your list of Pros and Cons when choosing a surgical procedure?

Has anyone heard of or had Interspinous Process Spacers for lumbar spinal stenosis?

No, but I’m interested as well!

I had one 8 months ago called a minuteman procedure, some call it a lumbar fusion. It did not help me at all, actually it made things worse. Pain Dr. ordered a CT scan at my last visit in March. It took a month to get the scan scheduled, results were sent to the Dr five days later but I never heard from their office. I finally called them after waiting a month and two more calls before hearing from anyone. I am scheduled for follow-up next week. Since I have so many issues with my back, I have no idea what he will suggest. I am not looking forward to what I think may be next.

I also had the Minuteman procedure done and an interspinous spacer inserted --- and it did not help me at all, and for all I know it very well may have made things worse. I wish I had never agreed to have it done!

I have and it didn’t work for me. I may have exerted myself too much too soon but, my back is worse than ever

I am sorry to hear that…..
Debating if I even want any surgery at all.

What are the alternatives for spinal stenosis and slipped disc ? So for I have had injections that have helped but they are just temporary

I certainly understand that!

Try an inversion table.