While spondylolisthesis can imply any kind of degeneration in the spine, degenerative spondylolisthesis specifically occurs when the spine becomes weak and instable due to aging. The wear and tear endured by the spine can create generic symptoms such as limited movement balance issues and persistent back pain.
A diagnosis is confirmed when one vertebrae slips forward over the one below it. The condition is more common in individuals over 50 with the incidence rising rapidly in people older than 65.
In many cases, the last resort treatment for degenerative spondylolisthesis needs to be surgery. Traditional surgical intervention is often considered risky given the age factor of the patients, but now new innovation in this field is considered minimally invasive and significantly reduces recovery time.
Help with Degenerative Spondylolisthesis
NuVasive is a leading company in spine research and technology. For years it has focused on transforming spine surgery with innovations in minimally disruptive procedures and solutions designed to provide reproducible surgical outcomes. The portfolio of the company includes implantable hardware, access instruments, software systems, biologics, imaging and navigation solutions as well as magnetically adjustable implant systems for orthopedics and spine.
NuVasive works with 2,300 people working across the globe, serving hospitals and surgeons. With its innovation in spine technology, it hopes to provide more ease to patients.
Now its latest innovation known as COALESCE Thoracolumbar Interbody Fusion Device is making headlines in the treatment of degenerative disc diseases such as degenerative spondylolisthesis and degenerative scoliosis.
With an FDA clearance, NuVasive announced the launch of its latest device which aims to transform the spinal surgery procedure, making it less disruptive. According to the claims, NuVasive’s use of COHERE and COALESCE implants manufactured with polyetheretherketone are designed to maintain a three-dimensional architecture to encourage and elicit bone growth.
The NuVasive Advanced Materials Science includes Modulus Titanium and Porous Peek interbody implants that have better biochemical properties compared to the implants with rough or smooth surfaces.
According to experiments on animals, COHERE and COALESCE give a 3D architecture which promotes the bone ingrowth. Technology employed to use these devices utilized a proprietary processing method which innovates the porous structure without influencing the strength of the implant.
NuVasive also stated that FDA clearance of its COHERE device makes it appropriate for use at multiple cervical spine levels, including both allografts and autografts. NuVasive reps state that:
“Patients can have a good amount of relief from the pain with improved functional outcomes through the fusion and stabilization of the degenerated spinal motion segment. COALESCE and COHERE contributes to the results by retaining the properties for intradiscal spinal applications, at the same time facilitating Osseo integration & bone growth”
The expanded FDA indication allows COHERE to be used for the C2-T1 levels with both autograft and allograft. COHERE also recently received a new code from CMS (Center of Medicare and Medicaid Services). COHERE is the only innovation of its kind approved for the use of new code, and is clinically recognized for its benefits for spine health.
COALESCE, now available commercially for PLIF and TLIF procedures for multiple height and footprints options. Following its FDA clearance, the use of COALESCE is expanded for two adjacent levels in the spine with both autograft and allograft treatment for degenerative disc. The device earlier also received FDA 510(k) clearance for its use in lateral lumbar and anterior, transformational, posterior procedures.
This minimally invasive procedure can now give hope to degenerative spondylolisthesis patients. Whereas surgeons can have a better surgical experience with this device can experience improved quality of life.
SOURCES:
https://www.massdevice.com/nuvasive-wins-expanded-fda-nod-launches-interbody-fusion-devices/
https://ryortho.com/breaking/nuvasive-extends-porous-peek-interbody-to-tlif-plif/