Neurology India Medknow Publications on behalf of the Neurological Society of India ISSN: 0028-3886 EISSN: 1998-4022 Vol. 53, Num. 4, 2005, pp. 466-474

Neurology India, Vol. 53, No. 4, October-December, 2005, pp. 466-474

Review Article

Dynamic stabilization devices in the treatment of low back pain

Sengupta DK

Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Centre, One Medical Centre Drive, Lebanon, NH, USA

Correspondence Address: D. K. Sengupta, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Centre, One Medical Centre Drive, Lebanon, NH – 03756, USA, E-mail: dksg@hotmail.com

Code Number: ni05152

Abstract

Keywords: Vertebrae, intervertebral disk displacement, low back pain

Introduction

The conventional surgical treatment for chronic low back pain due to degenerative disorders in the lumbar spine is spinal fusion. This may be compared to arthrodesis of the hip or knee for severe osteoarthritis of those joints, as practiced in the past. Arthrodesis of the hip and knee leads to major disability of locomotor function and gait, and has long since been discarded. Spinal fusion has been practiced for several decades for similar indications, since overall movement of the trunk, as well as gait, is only minimally affected after fusion of one or two segments in the lumbar spine.

With recent developments of the fusion techniques, successful fusion rate has approached nearly 100% but this has failed to reflect a comparable increase in the successful clinical outcome.[1] Several studies in the recent literature questioned the efficacy of spinal fusion in the treatment of low back pain.[2] In addition, a significant apprehension of adjacent segment disease in the long term follow-up after spinal fusion always concerned the spinal surgeon.[3],[4],[5],[6],[7],[8]

Stabilization of the lumbar spine without fusion has been sporadically practiced during the last decade in the Europe and the East[9],[10] (or West). The demand for an ideal dynamic stabilization system has increased for younger patients with multisegment disc degeneration, where adjacent segment disease may be more likely to happen following fusion in the long-term follow-up. The interest in dynamic stabilization has grown the development of indications like topping off an adjacent segment to or stabilizing a segment following discectomy. Unfortunately, neither of these procedures has a solid biomechanical basis for action, nor there has been any clinically proven efficacy as yet. Their popularity is based more on lack of satisfaction with conventional spinal fusion rather than proven superiority.

The prosthetic replacement of the disc has made its way in the therapeutic armamentarium of degenerative disc disease following the natural course of evolution with the success of hip and knee replacement. It is more than a decade that several designs of disc prostheses have been used clinically, some of which have over five years of clinical follow-up. The overall clinical success rate, however, is no match to that of hip or knee arthroplasty, and even struggles to match the results of conventional spinal fusion.

The basic difference between prosthetic replacement of the hip or knee and the intervertebral disc prosthesis is that the latter is only a partial rather than a total joint replacement. The disc prosthesis has to share the kinematics of the remaining joints of the spinal motion segment, very much like the other dynamic stabilization devices. The primary difference is that the disc prosthesis is a load bearing structure as opposed to the load sharing nature of the dynamic stabilization devices. Based on the experience with the hip and knee arthroplasty, where the wear property of the plastic component is closely related to the osteolysis, much attention has been paid to the wear properties of the available disc prosthesis. However, the kinematics′ effect of the disc prosthesis on the remaining structures of the motion segment has been largely ignored.

Pathology and mechanism of chronic low back pain - movement or load.

Mechanical back pain

Traditionally chronic axial pain in the low back due to degenerative diseases of the lumbar spine, which is aggravated by daily activities, is described as ′mechanical back pain′. This is often thought to be due to instability of the lumbar motion segment, secondary to the disc degeneration and facet arthrosis. In contrast, symptoms of leg pain, which is described as either radicular pain or neurogenic claudication, have been ascribed to compression of the neural elements.

Spinal instability

Instability in the lumbar spine as a cause of mechanical back pain is poorly understood. The term instability would imply an abnormal motion under physiological load. It is generally accepted that disc degeneration reduces the movement of the lumbar spine, except in the very early stages.[11],[12] Despite considerable efforts over many years, no clear relationship has been established between low back pain and abnormal movement.[13],[14],[15],[16],[17],[18]Most authors related abnormal translation to mechanical back pain.[11],[12],[17],[18] A degree of translation motion is normally associated with flexion-extension due to the composite nature of spinal motion.[19],[20] While some investigators found excessive translation to be associated with disc degeneration,[18] others observed a reduced shear-flexion ratio at the symptomatic levels of disc degeneration.[17] It is generally accepted that the effect of disc degeneration is to reduce the movement, not to increase it, as the term "instability" would imply.[11],[12], [21]

While abnormal translation is seen radiologically in many cases of disc degeneration with spondylolisthesis, it is not always present in symptomatic disc degeneration. Even when it is present, pain may not be continuous. In other words, although the abnormal movement may be present continuously in this group of patients, their pain is not continuous. It is therefore difficult to find any basis for the concept of abnormal movement or instability as a cause of back pain. ′Instability′ was a phrase that clinicians used since the last century to imply that there was some non-specific mechanical failure of the spine causing back pain, as opposed to infection or arthritis. Bioengineers define instability in a purely literal sense, with abnormal movement at the joint surface and that indicated fusion as an appropriate solution.[21]

Load transmission through the normal disc

The second important role of a motion segment in the lumbar spine is load transmission. Under normal circumstances load transmission is painless. The magnitude of load transmission through the lumbar motion segment varies with change of posture and activities. This has been very well documented by the earlier work of Nachemson.[22] A recent in vivo intradiscal pressure study in a volunteer by Wilke et al.[23], in different posture and activities, found a good correlation with Nachemson′s[22] data.

Normal intervertebral disc is an isotropic structure.[24] The nucleus acts almost like a fluid filled bag and distributes load uniformly across the endplate. This has been convincingly demonstrated by McMillan et al.[25] and McNally and Adams[26] by stress profilometry in normal cadaver lumbar disc [Figure - 1][Figure - 2]. The nucleus also transmits the load in the lateral direction to the annulus producing tension in the annulus, similar to an inflated car tire. This converts the annulus into a uniform load bearing structure.[21]

Disc degeneration alters the isotropic nature of the disc.[28] In vivo stress profilometry studies also confirm that load distribution across the endplate becomes uneven after disc degeneration, with areas of high spot loading, particularly associated with certain positions [Figure - 2]C. Such irregular load distribution was found to be a strong predictor of pain reproduction by provocative discography[27].

The irregular load distribution across the joint surface is a well-recognized cause of pain in diarthrodial joints like hip and knee joint. High spot loading in varus or valgus deformity of the knee joint may lead to pain, and this may be relieved by corrective osteotomy, which redistributes the load transmission. Similarly, high spot loading in a subluxating hip may cause pain, which may be relieved by osteotomy and redistribution of load transmission. Although the intervertebral disc is not a diarthrodial joint, the endplates are rich in nerve supply, and it may be reasonable to believe that abnormal high spot loading may be a cause of pain in degenerative disc disease.

Load transmission through the degenerated disc

The normal nucleus consists of a homogeneous gel of collagen and proteoglycan. In a degenerated disc, it changes to a non-homogeneous mixture of fragmented and condensed collagen, areas of fluid, and indeed areas of gas on occasion. Less commonly, isolated fragments of annulus or endplate may add to the loose fragment inside the disc.[29] In a degenerated disc, the nucleus becomes depressurized and an increasingly larger load is transmitted through the annulus. Corresponding endplate changes, apoptosis of cells,[30] destruction and thinning of the trabeculae in the central areas,[31] and thinning of the subchondral cartilaginous endplate[32] have been demonstrated by various observers. Loading the annulus, unprotected by the supporting pressure of the nucleus, leads to splitting and inward folding of the annulus.[33] Areas of main load transmission across the disc now become dependent on the posture; in flexion the anterior annulus, in extension the posterior annulus. The abnormal high load transmission through the different areas of the annulus with change of posture may explain the activity and posture related mechanical back pain in the presence of degenerated disc.

′Stone in the shoe′ hypothesis of back pain

In the clinical scenario of mechanical back pain two commonly observed facts remains unexplained by the concept of instability. First, patients with disc degeneration almost always have a mild to moderate degree of baseline symptom, superimposed with periods of acute exacerbations of back pain. Patients are relatively asymptomatic between the acute episodes. If there is any abnormal translation or instability in that segment, it is present continuously. It is difficult to understand if instability or abnormal movement is the cause of pain, therefore then is the acute pain is only periodic. Secondly, it is a well-recognized fact that manipulation of the lumbar spine, as practiced by chiropractors, often results in dramatic relief of an acute episode of low back pain. The instability concept again fails to explain such observation.[21]

As described earlier, in a degenerated disc, the nucleus looses its water content, becomes depressurized, and the opposing endplate cartilage and the supporting trabeculae thins out. However, the fragments of nucleus or endplate cartilage, or annulus in a degenerated disc may, on occasion, become areas of high spot loading, depending on their position within the disc. It is tempting to hypothesize that these abnormal loose fragments within the disc space act like a stone in the shoe, causing high spot loading and pain at the time of acute exacerbation. Manipulation of the lumbar spine by a chiropractor may, on occasion, dislodge the fragment from its weight-bearing position, bringing immediate relief of acute pain.[21]

The above hypothesis, that the actual arrangement of tissues within the disc affects the load transmission, also explains the fact that there is no clear correlation between degree of disc degeneration and pain.

Spinal fusion and low back pain

It is true that spinal fusion in many cases successfully relieve back pain. Following spinal fusion, the load transmission across the motion segment becomes direct from bone to bone. However, if instability or an abnormal movement would be the main cause of back pain, one would expect that spinal fusion would always be successful in relieving back pain. Unfortunately, this has not been the clinical experience. Introduction of pedicle instrumentation in the1980s, and cage devices in the 1990s, and frequent use of circumferential fusion have increased the successful fusion rate close to 98%, but failed to improve the overall clinical success rate.[1] A recent review of the Cochrane database of the prospective randomized controlled trials fails to establish any significant improvement of the natural history of low back pain by spinal fusion.[2] A subsequent multicentric prospective randomized controlled trial in Sweden suggests better outcome with fusion compared to conservative treatment, but no difference in outcome between the different fusion techniques.[34]

The debate continues and fusion remains the seriously challenged standard surgical treatment of back pain. Most reported studies suggest 50-70% excellent to good clinical outcome, and 30% failure of improvement of back pain,[35],[36],[37],[38],[39],[40],[41],[42],[43] but no correlation between fusion success and clinical outcome. Neither are all cases of pseudarthrosis painful, nor all successful fusion painless.

Many suggestions have been put forward to explain failure of good clinical outcome in the presence of a successful fusion. Those include failure to recognize pseudarthrosis,[44] abnormal sagittal balance,[45] and abnormal load transmission through the metal-bone interface in cage fusion.[46] The load over the narrow footprint of the metallic cage on the endplate may be 500% higher than the rest of the endplate, even after successful fusion.[46] McAfee[44] pointed out that clinical success was associated with the development of the bone around the cage, inevitably increasing the area of load transmission and reducing the load over the footprint of the cage.

It may therefore be reasonable to conclude that stopping movement is not the factor in achieving relief of back pain. Creating a normal loading pattern is more important for clinical success. This leads to the era of a new look into the problem of mechanical low back pain, which is ′stabilize but do not fuse′.

Dynamic stabilization

Definition

Dynamic stabilization of the lumbar spine may be defined as a system, which would favourably alter the movement and load transmission of a spinal motion segment, without the intention of fusion of the segment.

This needs to be carefully differentiated from semi rigid fixation of the spine, where a fusion is intended. It is often argued that a rigid fixation may discourage formation of a strong fusion mass due to load sharing by the rigid implant, and a semi rigid instrumentation may overcome this disadvantage. A dynamic stabilization, also known as soft stabilization or flexible stabilization, leaves the spinal segment mobile, and its intention is to alter the load bearing pattern of the motion segment, as well as to control any abnormal motion at the segment.

The principles of dynamic stabilization

The hypothesis behind dynamic stabilization is that control of abnormal motions and more physiological load transmission would relieve pain, and prevent adjacent segment degeneration. A remote expectation is that, once normal motion and load transmission is achieved, the damaged disc may repair itself, unless of course the degeneration is too advanced.

The pertinent questions in dynamic stabilization therefore are a) how much control of motion is desirable, and b) how much load should be shared by the system, to unload the damaged disc. The question in the long term is, how to prevent implant failure, in view of constant movement of the stabilized segment. A pseudarthrosis often leads to fatigue failure of implants used for rigid fixation, because the rigidity of the implant does not permit them to accommodate any motion originated at the pseudarthrosis. Flexible stabilization may accommodate this movement, and may avoid a fatigue failure. However, a closer look at the kinematics of the dynamic stabilization leads to further consideration before its fatigue life may be determined.

The dynamic stabilization system has to permit motion and also share load. The load sharing by should be more or less uniform during the entire range of motion. This may be achieved when the location of the optimum instant axis of rotation (IAR) of the system lies close to that of the motion segment during the entire range of motion. Any discrepancy in the kinematics between the dynamic stabilization system and the motion segment would lead to variability of load-sharing property.

Normally the disc is loaded both during flexion and extension. The average disc pressure rises during flexion and also during extension, and is lowest during the early phase of extension.[23] Let us consider a dynamic stabilization system that shares 30% of the load during flexion, allowing only 70% of the load to pass through the damaged disc; during extension, if the system forces the IAR to be shifted posterior to the disc, the disc will be distracted more and more towards the end of extension. This will be evident by a progressive lowering of the disc pressure towards the end of extension, which indicates that the dynamic stabilization system becomes an increasingly load-bearing structure in extension [Figure - 3]. This may lead to fatigue failure of the implant or the implant-bone junction.[47] It has been discussed later that the relatively rigid dynamic stabilization devices like DSS-I, dynesis and interspinous spacers may have this disadvantage.

Conversely, the ligament based dynamic stabilization systems (e.g., graf ligament) may load-share during flexion, but they become lax during extension, and may not unload the disc at all during extension. Since these implants do not behave like a progressively increasing load-bearing structure, implant loosening is unlikely. This explains the fact that screw loosening has not been a problem with graf ligament stabilization[48].

The disc prosthesis or nucleus prosthesis obeys the biomechanical principles of dynamic stabilization in uniform load transmission and preserving movement of a motion segment. But they differ by the fact that they replace a component of the motion segment, while the dynamic stabilization system does not.

The dynamic stabilization devices

The various dynamic stabilization systems described in the literature are all posterior implant. [Table - 1] lists the various dynamic stabilization systems available.

The dynamic stabilization devices that have been described from time to time and used clinically may be classified into four categories [Table - 1].

1. The Interspinous distraction devices are floating devices, i.e., not rigidly connected to the vertebrae. This avoids the possibility of loosening, a major concern for any implant which would have to survive against motion. They work by distraction of the spinous processes. Minns and Walsh[49] described silicone interspinous spacers, which on biomechanical testing using cadaver in spine showed unloading of the disc and correction of the sagittal plane imbalance of the spine. No clinical application of this system has since been described by the authors.

Senegas et al. [50]described a similar interspinous spacer in 1988, made of titanium, and held between the spinous processes with a dacron tape. After initial success in over three hundred patients, the authors improved the system in the second generation, known as the ′Wallis implant′ [Figure - 4] which uses PEEK (polyetheretherketone) material as the spacer instead of titanium. The interspinous spacer blocks extension of the segment, and by distraction between the spinous processes, it holds the segment in relative flexion, a posture known to relieve neurogenic claudication pain in spinal stenosis. The Dacron tape acts to retain the plastic spacer in place, and limit further flexion of the segment. The device therefore more appropriately described as a hybrid of interspinous distraction device and interspinous ligament, described later. The clinical trials of the first-generation implant provided evidence that the interspinous system of dynamic stabilization is efficient against low-back pain due to degenerative instability and free of serious complications. A randomized clinical trial and an observational study of the new implant are currently underway by the same authors. The authors recommend the Wallis system for lumbar disc disease in the following indications: (i) discectomy for massive herniated disc leading to substantial loss of disc material, (ii) a second discectomy for recurrence of herniated disc, (iii) discectomy for herniation of a transitional disc with sacralization of L5, (iv) degenerative disc disease at a level adjacent to a previous fusion, and (v) isolated Modic I lesion leading to chronic low-back pain.

Another titanium interspinous distraction device ′X-stop′ [Figure - 5] has been described by St. Francis Medical Technologies, Inc.[51] which has completed FDA clinical trials, and is awaiting approval. However, no report of this device is available yet in the peer reviewed literature. The implant has been described for use in the spinal stenosis cases, where the interspinous distraction holds the spine into flexion, and thereby reduce the spinal stenosis. This device may be introduced by a minimally invasive approach, under local anesthetic, and may be useful for degenerative spinal stenosis in elderly patients with comorbid conditions, where it is preferable to avoid open surgery.

2. The interspinous ligaments may be applied directly around the spinous processes, without using any metal anchorage. Caserta et al. [52]reported their experience of using elastic ligament using alone or to supplement the adjacent segment to fusion [Figure - 6]. The authors have used the system in 82 cases since 1994 and described encouraging results. Unfortunately, their report does not describe any detail of the implant material or the clinical results.

Garner et al. [53]described a new tension-band device for stabilization of the spine across the spinous processes, ′the loop system′ (Spineology Inc., stillwater, MiNn.). It consists of a braided polyethylene cable, a locking clip, and an optional ferrule that can be placed in the spinous process. After tension is applied by use of a tensioning tool, a locking clip secures the construct [Figure - 7]. They compared static tensile and fatigue strength, stiffness, and creep properties, and compared the literature data for different spine cables and wire fixation systems. The authors concluded that ′the loop system′ has strength similar to the titanium cable system and has a no-slip locking clip designed to maintain the construct tension. It combines the advantages of the metallic system (lower creep) with the advantages of the polymer cables (high fatigue strength) without sacrificing strength, stiffness or ease of use.

3. Ligaments across the pedicles

4. Henry or Henri?

5. The most widely used device in this category is the Graf ligament (Graf′s ligament?), described by Henry Graf.[9] The system consists of a non-elastic braided polyester ligament (dacrilene) in the form of a loop, which is applied round the pedicle screws [Figure - 8]. The ligaments are applied to the pedicle screws under tension to lock the motion segment in extension. The concept was that, once the facet joints were locked, it would stop rotation. The inventor Henri Graf was of the view that ′instability′ was related to the development of an abnormal rotatory movement, and if this was stopped, the system would still allow limited flexion, but within the range of normal flexion, which would therefore probably not be painful. There was no clinical or experimental basis for this view as to the cause of instability, or the efficacy of the ligament. Despite this fact, Graf ligament has been used by several independent surgeons in Europe and far East, with clinical success comparable to that of fusion.[21],[54],[55],[56],[57],[58],[59] The Graf′s ligamentoplasty procedure also produces a significant increase in lateral canal stenosis, especially if there is any preexisting degenerative change in the facet joints or in-folding of the ligamentum flavum, owing to the marked lordosis of the segment instrumented, and indeed early clinical failure was often associated with this surgical complication.[48] Graf ligament transfers the load from anterior aspect of the disc to the posterior annulus, and indeed increases the disc pressure profile towards the posterior annulus, which was further substantiated by experimental study with disc profilometry.[48] It is somewhat uncertain as to whether the clinical success was related to the restriction of motion, or to the transfer of load to the posterior aspect removing loading from the painful anterior part of the disc. However, this may explain the late failure of Graf ligament, which accelerates the disc degeneration by overloading the posterior part of the disc.[21]

The dynesys ( the dynamic neutralization system )[60] was developed by Gilles Dubois in 1994. In the present form, the system consists of titanium alloy (protasul 100) pedicle screws, polyester (sulene-PET) cords, and polycarbonaturethane (sulene-PCU) spacers [Figure - 9]. The screws anchor the dynesys system in the pedicle and in the vertebral body. The modular spacer fits between the pedicle screw heads. The stabilizing cords connect the pedicle screw heads via the hollow core of the spacer in place. According to the authors, its preload provides uniform system rigidity. The stabilizing cord carries tensile forces and the spacers resist compressive forces. The system is said to establish a mobile load transfer and to control motion of the segment in all of orientation.

The biomechanical testing of the dynesys system, as published in the literature, is limited to fatigue testing of the whole construct, and biocompatibility of the non-metallic components. There is no data available for the load-sharing characteristics or kinematics of the spinal motion segments after implantation of the dynesys system.

The authors presented their initial results on 83 patients. The indications included a variety of degenerative conditions including spinal stenosis, degenerative discopathy, disc herniation, spondylolisthesis, and revision surgery. The clinical results have been described to be encouraging and safe. However, unlike the Graf ligament, screw loosening was observed in seven cases. Early surgical intervention was needed in four cases, and late surgery was needed in five cases in the same segment and in seven cases for adjacent segment disease. The authors concluded that the dynamic neutralization proved to be a safe and effective alternative in the treatment of unstable lumbar conditions.

A closer look into the dynesys system clarifies that introduction of the spacers between the pedicle screws leads to a loss of the lordosis segment′s. If the spinal extensor muscles can restore the lordosis of the segment, it will do so by distracting the disc space while the spacer acts as a load-bearing fulcrum. This would unload the disc. Rajaratnam et al.[61] recently reviewed a group of 60 patients treated with dynesys, with postoperative standing films with a plumb line. They found that the patients who failed to benefit from the dynesys system are those who could not achieve lordosis at the stabilized segments.[61] Therefore, the lordosis and load sharing by the plastic cylinder depends very critically on the placement of the implant, and on the ability of the patient to achieve lordosis with his extensor muscles.[21]

The FASS (fulcrum-assisted soft stabilization) system [Figure - 10]was developed by the author[62] to address what was perceived as disadvantages of the Graf system. There are two problems commonly experienced with the Graf system:

1. The lordosis that the Graf ligament system invariably produces results in narrowing of the lateral recess, leading to root entrapment, especially if there was any preexisting facet arthropathy.

2. The Graf system increases the loading of the posterior annulus, which is a feature of the painful degenerated disc.

The presence of the fulcrum in the FASS system may prevent both these problems. The fulcrum is placed between the pedicle screws, in front of the ligament. The fulcrum distracts the posterior annulus. The elastic ligament is placed posterior to the fulcrum, to compress between the heads of the pedicle screws. The fulcrum transforms this posterior compression force into an anterior distraction force, which distracts and unloads the disc. It is imperative that the FASS device should be inserted with sufficient tension in the ligament to create the required lordosis.

The FASS system can unload the disc unaided by the posture or muscle action. It addresses a major disadvantage of the posterior interspinous distraction systems, insofar as it does not allow a segment to be put into kyphosis. The lordosis is created by the implant and is not dependent on the patient′s ability to achieve lordosis with his or her own muscles.

The implant does experimentally unload the disc by sharing load. [62]The degree of disc unloading depends on the relative tension and compression produced by the fulcrum and the ligament. For a given distraction by the fulcrum, the higher the compressive force applied by the ligament the greater would be the disc unloading. Laboratory experiments on spine models and cadaver spines demonstrate that greater disc unloading also develops higher stiffness of the motion segment.[63] In other words, as greater unloading of the disc is achieved by adjustment of the tension in the ligament and the fulcrum, the system shares higher load, and the motion segment looses flexibility. Clearly, if a very stiff system is implanted, then screw loosening and implant failure is more likely to occur in the long term. To maintain the normal physiological environment in the disc, it may be desirable to unload the disc partially, and allow the segment mobility as close to normal as possible. The fulcrum should act as a load-sharing device and not a load-bearing device. The system is still under development (Sponsor: AO International, Davos, Switzerland) and a clinically applicable prototype is yet to be available.

6. Semi rigid metallic devices across the pedicle screws : currently there is no available soft stabilization system for clinical use, although there are a few under development.

The dynamic soft stabilization (DSS) system has been developed by the present author[47] (Sponsor: Spinal Concepts Inc., Austin, TX), but has not yet been used clinically. Two designs of the DSS system have been tested in the laboratory. The DSS-I system consists of a titanium spring, made of spring grade titanium wires of 3 mm cross sectional diameter [Figure - 11]. The DSS-II system [Figure - 11] consists of an elliptical coil spring, made from 4 mm spring grade titanium rods. Both the springs are applied to the motion segment by pedicle screws. A pretension at the spring during its application would share the load and unload the disc at rest. The flexibility of the spring will limit the flexibility of the motion segment. The disc unloading during motion will be dependent on the location of the optimum instant axis of rotation (IAR) of the springs and that of the motion segment. If the location of these IAR remains close to each other, the disc unloading and load sharing would be uniform throughout the range of motion, and will only depend on the flexibility of the spring. On the other hand, if there is a discrepancy in the relative location of the IAR, the DSS system may become an increasingly load-bearing structure at certain ranges of motion, which may lead to an early implant failure or loosening. Recent cadaver studies show that the IAR of the DSS-II system lies closer to that of the motion segment. Therefore it offers more favourable kinematics and promises to achieve the objectives of soft stabilization with optimum load sharing, disc unloading and control of motion.

Soft stabilization as an adjunct to disc prosthesis

As stated earlier, disc replacement is only an equivalent to a partial joint replacement. In the presence of significant facet joint arthritis, disc replacement may not relieve pain. When radicular pain warrants decompression involving partial facetectomy, a disc replacement may destabilize the motion segment. A posterior soft stabilization system promises to add stability after decompressive lumbar laminectomy or facetectomy. In effect, addition of a posterior soft stabilization to disc replacement may make it equivalent to total joint replacement.

Soft stabilization and disc repair

If a favourably environment may be created in the motion segment by unloading the disc and permitting near normal motion, the disc may be able to repair itself. Gene therapy in degenerative disc diseases, either by promoting enzymes to produce proteoglycans, or by preventing the enzymes like proteases, which damage the disc, is an emerging technology with a lot of promise. Soft stabilization may further enhance the reparative process activated by the gene therapy.

Conclusion

References

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