Archus Orthopedics designing post-ADR facet device

[annapurna]

Thought I would pass along this info. I had an excellent conversation with Jim Fitzsimmons at Archus Orthopedic yesterday. Since I am experiencing symptomatic, progressive facet degeneration post-ADR, I am trying to get information on facet prosthetic devices in order to decide whether to plan on getting a revision to fusion sometime in the next couple of years.

As you may have read, Archus has started FDA clinical trials of a facet prosthetic device intended for post-laminectomy patients which would have otherwise required fusions. Mr. Fitzsimmons told me that, as an post-ADR patient with facet issues, I should wait for their second generation device which is being designed and targeted specifically for the post-ADR patient with facet issues. Unlike their current device which is very invasive, the second generation device is intended to be very muscle and ligament-sparing - something we ADR patients can really appreciate. Now here's the real kicker: Archus is planning to start European trials of this post-ADR facet device next year (2006) with initiation of FDA clinicals the year after (2007). Needless to say, this all assumes that they don't run into serious problems. On the other hand, they would probably not have assigned such aggressive timelines unless they had some reasonabley good data to support it.

What does this mean for us? Well, for those of us with post-ADR facet pain, there is hope that, within the next five years there is a very good chance that we will have better options than an invasive revision to fusion to address our facet arthritis. According to Mr. Fitzsimmons, Archus is one of MANY companies focusing on our problem and trying to develop facet arthroplasty devices to widen the selection criteria for ADR. As Dr. Regan would say, we may have way to fix the back wheels of the tricycle as well as the front wheel.

Personally, this information has tipped me in favor of waiting at least a couple of years before getting a revision to fusion. I'll be getting a single-side rhizo of my L5/S1 left facets next week to try to manage my pain and buy some time. If these devices all fall flat on their faces, I can always get a fusion at that time.

[luvmysibe]

Thanks for passing along this information. I am always amazed at the progress of technology and medical intervention. Best wishes for a speedy recovery after next week.

[letteski]

Great information and I am all with you on waiting for new technology, so it�s not proven but it�s got to be better then fusion/revision surgery. You have come this far with your body and new technology if it was me, I would have the same feelings that I could make a good study candidate for medical research.

You are on the cutting edge and things are only getting better. Let us know how the rhizo goes I will be interested in your progress.

Best wishes for pain relief

[Fortitudine]

Thanks, Annapurna! That's good news and an important light on the horizon for aging spineys.

[Jim M2]

Laura,
Thanks for the info. I'm definitely into the waiting game. Let us know how the rhizo goes.
Jim

[tegilman]

This is definately good news! I am sill feeling the facet pain, and I am well over 2 years past my 3 level ADR. I will be following this closely.

Thelma

[cervie queen]

I'm glad to see that the industry is looking at other technologies beyond artificial disc. As one with severe facet degeneration already, it just might prove useful to me too.

[biffnoble]

Hi Annna:

Good luck with getting pain relief. You certainly deserve it!

It appears that there are (2) trend lines: 1) the effort to artifically completely replace spine anatomy and 2) to do the same "naturally" w/biotech.

It'll be interesting to see which is the best, first solution. Maybe it'll be a hybrid?

Timeline?: 5-10 years for complete, effective global spine remediation?

Good luck to us all.

[Judi]

Annapuna,

How do your know you have facet pain? I'm having pain still after my ADR and wondering if it's facets.