Spinal implants help reduce back pain without major surgery

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April 15, 2008

Implants can cut back pain without major surgery

By JEFF MEYERS The Press Republican Tue Apr 15, 2008, 12:00 AM EDT

WESTPORT -- Kathy Bedore lived a little over a mile from school, but the pain that stretched from her lower back down through her leg was making the drive more difficult each day.

And trying to remain productive in a classroom with second-grade students was nearly impossible for the long-time teacher at Westport Central School.

"It was excruciating pain, debilitating pain," Bedore said

The pain that she had lived with for years was quickly becoming unbearable despite a variety of medicines and therapeutic treatments.

"At times, I had a hard time doing much of anything," she said. "Even walking was difficult."

NEW PROCEDURE

Bedore was suffering from a condition called spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spine, which was causing the tremendous sciatic pain.

"Spinal stenosis is a condition that often occurs with aging," said Dr. John Herzog, an orthopedic surgeon in Saratoga.

Bony arthritic overgrowths and a thickening of ligaments along the spinal column contribute to the condition, he said.

"People who have this condition show symptoms of sciatic pain that is more pronounced when standing and walking. Many find relief when they are sitting or bending forward."

Bedore learned of Herzog's work with back pain about two years ago from another doctor she had seen earlier for some knee problems.

Since she was not having any luck with her back from other therapies, she decided to see what Herzog might have to offer.

During a consultation with Bedore, Herzog described a new treatment called the "X-Stop" procedure that uses spacers inserted between the spinal vertebrae that are causing the problem.

When people are bent over or in a sitting position, it relieves some of the pressure caused by the narrowing spinal column. When standing, the vertebrae are exposed to more pressure, resulting in the increased sciatic pain.

"The X-Stop helps mimic the position of the vertebrae in a seated position," Herzog said. "With these little devices wedged between two vertebrae, that small amount of (spinal) extension is eliminated."

LESS INVASIVE

Traditionally, surgery was used to correct spinal stenosis when neither medicine nor therapy helps relieve the pain. The X-Stop, a relatively new procedure being done in the United States, offers an alternative that is much less invasive and allows patients to return to a normal life much more quickly than surgery.

"There is typically six to eight weeks recovery time (from surgery)," Herzog said. "The X-Stop is much less invasive, much safer, and recovery is much faster. And results appear to be as good or better than surgery."

Bedore did admit that she was in some discomfort following the procedure, but she was out of the hospital within a couple of days, and the change in her ability to do just about anything was remarkable, she said.

"Within two weeks of the procedure, I drove all the way to Maine," she said, explaining that she had originally planned to cancel vacation plans because of the pain but had no problem with the trip following the operation.

"This was the best thing I could have done," she added. "I haven't felt this well in a very long time. I've got so much energy, and I can enjoy spending time with my students again.

"It's given me back my life again."

PAIN FREE

Bedore, 55, praised Herzog and his abilities as well.

The X-Spot, developed in the states by Kyphon Inc., is a metallic spacer that fits snugly between vertebrae. The Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of up to two spacers for each patient undergoing the procedure.

The procedure typically takes 45 to 90 minutes using local anesthesia.

"If anyone has pain like I had, I'd highly recommend looking into this," Bedore said. "It's been two years, and I have had no problems with back pain since then."

jmeyers@pressrepublican.com