clinical trials enrolling Total Facet Arthroplasty System

[chasswen]

Spinal stenosis is a progressive degenerative condition, typically first manifesting in the 5th or 6th decade of life, marked by a predominance of painful leg symptoms, including burning, tingling, numbness and weakness. It occurs when the articulating spinal joints, called “the facets”, become arthritic and no longer provide necessary stability to the spine. As with any joint in the body, the arthritic facets often become inflamed and osteophytic (produce bony spurs), resulting in irritation and impingement of nearby nerves leading to clinical symptoms. As the disease progresses, symptoms escalate, and the ability to walk and carry out basic activities of daily living becomes increasingly difficult due to clinical symptoms. While patients are treated with conservative therapy during the early phases of the disease, many patients ultimately require surgical removal of the arthritic spinal elements and placement of spinal instrumentation to achieve spinal stability and symptom relief.
http://www.spine-health.com/research...tfas/tfas.html
neat they are enrolling for fda studies
chuck

[Justin]

Thanks for the link Chuck!

Justin

[Harrison]

I think it's great these folks are so far along in the development and trial. Good people too. Good luck to all involved.

We've talked about Archus several times in 2006, here's just of many links. This is from an "expert" on facets (really, experts, since two people share the screen name!):

http://adrsupport.org/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/7501036081/m/6...801097081#6801097081