Patent ID: 8623089
Filing Date: 2014-01-07
Classification: A61B,A61F,A61L,G16Z

Abstract:
1. A method for treating osteoarthritis of the spine, comprising: identifying a subchondral defect in a subchondral region of a bone of the spine based on a captured image, the subchondral defect being a bone marrow edema of a vertebral endplate; determining, after identifying the presence of a subchondral defect, an extent of treatment based on a size or shape of said bone marrow edema; creating, in said bone that contains the bone marrow edema in the subchondral region, a subchondral access path into an area in or adjacent to the bone marrow edema, while preserving an existing condition of the articular surface adjacent the subchondral region of said bone that contains the bone marrow edema; treating the subchondral defect by: wherein treatment of the subchondral region alleviates corresponding pain in the joint and slows the progression of osteoarthritis of the spine.