What is Superion®?
Superion® is designed to treat patients who have been diagnosed with moderate spinal stenosis, and have undergone six months of conservative treatment – such as injections or physical therapy – without experiencing lasting relief. These patients may have also deemed traditional spinal surgery to be too demanding or invasive for them. Superion® is an FDA-approved, minimally invasive treatment that addresses pain, numbness, tingling and/or weakness in the back and legs. Using a small access portal – about the diameter of a dime – a tiny, H-shaped spacer is placed between two adjacent bones in the lower back; which allows patients to stand upright without pinching the nerves in the back, thereby alleviating the pain, numbness, tingling and/or weakness in the back and legs. The Superion procedure may be performed in a hospital or outpatient surgical center in about one hour.
What is Spinal Stenosis?
Your spine provides support for your back and body. It also protects the spinal cord, the bundle of nerve tissues that run from your brain to your lower body. The bony column that encloses the spinal cord is called the spinal canal and is made up of ligaments, bones, and discs. In a healthy, open spinal canal, there is enough space between the spinal cord and the spinal canal for the nerves to pass through freely and exit the spinal canal without any restriction.
Due to natural wear and tear on the body as we age, there can be a number of factors that cause the narrowing of the spinal canal including, thickening of ligament tissue, overgrowth of bone (osteoarthritis), or bulging of the discs that create pressure on your spinal cord. This narrowing of the spinal canal is called spinal stenosis, and when it occurs in the lower part of the spine, the condition is called lumbar spinal stenosis.
How does Superion ® work?
The physician will insert an FDA-approved, H-shaped spacer through a small incision in the lower back without impacting the nearby bone or tissue, resulting in minimal bleeding. Once inserted the patient is able to stand upright without pinching the nerves in the back. This simple procedure can be completed in under one hour at the hospital or an outpatient surgical center.
Why Superion ®?
The Superion® implant is the only FDA approved, minimally invasive approach to treating moderate spinal stenosis. It provides relief of the ongoing pain without the long recovery that often accompanies traditional decompression surgery. In addition, Superion® offers the following benefits:
• A clinically proven, less invasive alternative for spinal stenosis
• Does not limit future treatment options
• No general anesthesia, small incision
• Lower rate of serious operative complications before and after the procedure
Is Superion ® Right For You?
Individuals who have been diagnosed with moderate spinal stenosis that results from aging and wear and tear on the spine from every day activities, and already undergone six months of conservative treatment without relief may be candidates for the Superion® implant. It is also for spinal stenosis patients who have learned that traditional spinal surgery has been deemed too demanding for them.
Doctor Discussion Guide
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