Spinal stenosis often occurs as a result of the natural aging process. In other cases, it is a result of degenerative diseases and conditions. At present, the only FDA approved surgical procedure for lower back spinal stenosis, decompressive laminectomy, requires general anesthesia and may require up to five days in the hospital. We are testing whether or not this increase of the spinal canal, which creates more room for the nerve fibers, will decrease or eliminate the patient s pain. Patients involved in the study must have mild to moderate symptoms of lower back spinal stenosis.
Qualified participants have lower back pain that can be relieved by leaning forward.
Maine Medical Center is one of only ten medical centers in the U.S. participating in the clinical trial. To date, Dr. Mehalic has performed 10 X-Stop surgeries. The surgeries take place at MMC s Brighton Surgical Center. The study will conclude this summer and then the FDA will evaluate the results.