The X-STOP (Interspinous Process Decompression System) is a type of spinal implant for the management of lumbar spinal stenosis.
What is lumbar spinal stenosis?
Lumbar spinal stenosis is a disease consisting of a decrease in the normal calibre of the vertebral canal.
The characteristic symptomatology includes the appearance of pain, followed by tingling and even loss of strength in the legs, after walking a certain distance.
The patient also presents, more or less continuously, lumbar pain radiating to both lower limbs, symmetrically or asymmetrically.
The device
There is a device made of titanium (a metal), but also a titanium/PEEK* (metal/plastic) combination device is available. The X-STOP procedure opens new possibilities in the surgical field and is much better than traditional open laminectomy.
You might also want to read: Surgical treatment of spinal stenosis
The advantages of X STOP surgery
There are multiple reasons to consider this type of surgical treatment in the case of lumbar stenosis. At the Harley Street Hospital, we are specialised in day case surgery offering our patients the best results. We can mention the following:
-This surgery can be performed using local anaesthesia. For this reason, the patient can go back home the same day. This allows elderly patients to undergo this procedure since general anaesthesia is riskier.
-The X-STOP procedure is more invasive than an epidural steroid injection. However, it is less invasive than open laminectomy with fusion surgery.
– It is a minimally invasive procedure using advanced equipment. As a result, the size of the skin incision and muscle dissection is minimal. X-STOP procedure is less destructive to the supporting structural tissues (the bone and ligaments) than other surgeries.
– The X-STOP device helps to improve the symptoms of spinal stenosis in the lumbar spine. Nevertheless, in contrast to laminectomy, it does not eliminate parts of the wall of the spinal canal. The X-STOP implantation procedure is consequently considered an indirect decompression.
– Special medications to relax the muscles to avoid muscle spasm and pain after the procedure.
– A highly skilled specialist team of nurses and doctors.
– Reduced risk of complications such as deep venous thrombosis, infections on the ward, and other issues related to delayed mobilisation.
Limitations of X STOP surgery
Some patients with lumbar spinal stenosis have multiple-level spinal stenosis and/or elements of spinal instability (e.g. degenerative spondylolisthesis). As a consequence, this surgical procedure is not suitable for these patients.
It is worth mentioning that although it is a minimally invasive procedure, it is still surgery and as such carries some risks and complications mentioned above.
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What is X-STOP spine surgery?
The X-STOP (Interspinous Process Decompression System) is a type of spinal implant for the management of lumbar spinal stenosis.
What is lumbar spinal stenosis?
Lumbar spinal stenosis is a disease consisting of a decrease in the normal calibre of the vertebral canal.
How is the X-STOP spine surgery device?
It is a device made of titanium (a metal), but also a titanium/PEEK* (metal/plastic) combination device is available. The X-STOP procedure opens new possibilities in the surgical field and is much better than traditional open laminectomy.