Medical Breakthrough - FDA Approves New Device for Relief of Chronic Low Back Pain
Released on = February 4, 2007, 8:03 pm
Press Release Author = Brian D. Rudin, M.D.
Industry = Healthcare
Press Release Summary = The Food and Drug Administration recently approved the second generation artificial disc, designed to treat chronic back pain from worn out discs.
Press Release Body = VENTURA COUNTY, CA. February 5, 2007. - Innovatively designed medical devices such as the newly approved Synthes Prodisc, are rapidly changing the practice of medicine. New hope is offered to active, young through middle-age patients who suffer from disabling low back pain.
Artificial disc replacements (ADR) have been used with tremendous success in Europe for over 15 years. In the US, with the recent approval of the Prodisc implant, surgeons are seeing the same benefits to patients as their overseas counterparts.
"Disc replacement surgery, is less traumatic, and offers better symptom resolution than the traditional surgical treatment," said Dr. Brian Rudin, an orthopedic spine surgeon, who participated in the FDA study. "In fact, artificial disc replacement patients did better than controls in every category the FDA set forth: resolution of back pain, sciatica, improved range of motion, and most importantly patient satisfaction."
Unlike traditional spinal surgery, ADR is performed through a minimally-invasive incision in the abdomen, where the painful, worn out disc is carefully removed and a metal and polyethylene implant is inserted. These time-proven materials are what have been used in orthopedics for over three decades. The track record of these durable materials is very well established in the demanding environment of hip and knee replacements.
"Although the procedure is not overly complicated, there is a definite learning curve." Dr. Rudin adds. He and his partner Dr. Samuel Small, are spine surgeons at Ventura Orthopaedics, whom together have more experience than any other center in Ventura or Santa Barbara Counties.
Unfortunately, many orthopedists and neurosurgeons that perform spine surgery haven't yet been trained in the procedure, which limits their treatment options offered to patients. Patients who suffer from chronic low back pain, due to worn out discs are encouraged to ask their doctors about the procedure or visit www.VenturaSpine.net for more information.
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