Patients
FAQ
 

What is Degenerative Lumbar Spinal Stenosis (DLSS)?

As a natural result of aging, degenerative changes affect your spine.  The most common is degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (DLSS), which occurs in most adults over the age of 50, affecting both genders equally.

Stenosis means a narrowing of the spinal canal that carries nerves to your legs.  As the size of the spinal canal and its nerve exits decrease, compression or squeezing of the spinal cord and nerve roots occur.


What are the symptoms of DLSS?

Squeezing of the spinal cord or nerve roots, caused by DLSS, results in symptoms such as:

  • Numbness and 'pins and needles' in your legs, calves or buttocks
  • Weakness or a loss of balance
  • A decrease endurance for physical activity
These symptoms may or may not be associated with back pain

When these symptoms appear during normal activities such as walking or standing, this condition is called neurogenic intermittent claudication (NIC).
The symptoms can be relieved by sitting down, resting and by leaning forward as the bending of your back naturally opens up the space of your spinal canal. There is no influence on the natural curvature of the spine as this bending is only 2°.


What are the different treatment options of DLSS?

The X-STOPPK ® implant fills the gap in the continuum of care for DLSS sufferers, that until now, required patients to leap from conservative therapies, such as analgesics, physical therapy and spinal injections, straight to a more invasive procedure that is considered the current surgical standard of care. Clinically proven to relieve patients' symptoms, the X-STOPPK ® IPD® procedure is well poised to become the first-line surgical intervention for DLSS patients.
 

How long does the X-STOPPK ® IPD® procedure take? What type of anaesthesia is used?

Surgery time is usually about 45 minutes.  A big advantage of the X-STOPPK ® IPD® procedure is the possibility to insert the X-STOPPK device under local anaesthesia, so patients with comorbidities, that prohibit the use of general anaesthesia, can be treated.  If wanted or needed, the X-STOPPK ® IPD® procedure can be preformed under general anaesthesia.


How is the X-STOPPK ® device inserted?

The X-STOPPK ® IPD® procedure is a minimally invasive surgical procedure in which an implant, called the X-STOPPK ®  implant is placed between two bones in the back of your spine, called the 'spinous processes' . A small incision is made and the X-STOPPK ® implant is placed between two spinous processes where it acts as a spacer. During this procedure there is no bone or soft tissue removal.

How big will my scar be?

Normal incision length for a single implant insertion would be 3 - 6 cm. This can go up to 8 cm for a double level.


How long do I need to stay in the hospital?

The length of your hospital stay will depend upon the local situation and your overall health condition. Many X-STOPPK ® IPD® procedures  are performed as day-case surgery or are accompanied by a short (f.e. one night) hospital stay. Please contact your surgeon if you want to discuss your specific procedure.


Will I be able to feel the implant once it is inserted?

The implant fits in between the spinous processes of two vertebrae in your lower back.  There is a muscle layer at each side of this spinous process covering the vertebral structures and the implant. These muscles on itself are again covered by a fibrous layer called the fascia. In most cases, because of the thickness of these structures covering the implant, you cannot feel the implant if palpating this area. In some patients with a thinner muscle layer, on palpation, the implant can be felt as a soft bump.


What is PEEK?

PEEK stands for polyetheretherketone witch is a radiolucent plastic. It is considered a very advanced biocompatible material with outstanding wear resistance and with an elasticity modulus close to that of cortical bone. It is a safe, bio-inert material with no adverse effects on the surrounding tissue or healing process.


What are the potential benefits of the X-STOPPK ® IPD® procedure?

The X-STOPPK ® IPD® procedure offers several potential benefits :

  • Fast pain relief
  • High patient satisfaction
  • Minimally invasive surgery as an alternative for standard decompression surgery:
    • Small incision
    • Less complications
    • Possible under local anaesthesia with or without sedation
    • Faster return to daily activities
  • Your spine will be preserved as much as possible
    • Practically no bone or soft tissue removal
    • Procedure leaving all other treatment options open
    • Extension-limiting without influencing any other movement of your spine
  • Cost-effective due to decreased hospitalization time (possibility of day-case surgery)


Are there risks associated with the X-STOPPK ® IPD® procedure?

As with any surgical procedure, there are potential risks.  The procedure is designed to avoid risks as much as possible, but there is a chance that complications may occur.

You and your doctor should discuss the possible risks associated with this treatment and if this treatment is right for you.

Please note that not all patients will benefit from this procedure.  Only your doctor can determine the appropriate treatment for your individual condition.


Can any doctor perform the X-STOPPK ® IPD® procedure?

An X-STOPPK ® IPD® procedure will be performed by a surgeon who knows the procedure and who can tell you if this is the treatment option of choice for your specific situation.


How many patients have been treated with the X-STOPPK ® IPD® procedure?

Approximately 40,000 X-STOPPK ® IPD® systems have been implanted worldwide.

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