spinal stenosis. The x-stop device is a tubular structure that is
placed between the spinous processes in the back of the spine
through a small incision. No bone is removed, the ligaments are
preserved, and the recovery time is very short. The technique is
often performed as an outpatient surgery and the results are
immediate. This device causes the spinal segment with the most
stenosis to flex forward thereby increasing its cross sectional area.
Patients with spinal stenosis know that by bending forward at the
waist, they are able to walk further. Bending forward increases the
cross sectional area of the spine. X-Stop forces that segment into
flexion, and thereby open up the diameter of the spinal canal. This
takes away the pain on walking almost instantaneously. X-stop
completed clinical trials in the US some time back but as of yet has
not received approval for implantation in the US by the FDA. It is
being used currently in Europe with good success.
