CAGES IN FUSION

The Purpose of this Information

This Patient Guide is designed to help you make an informed decision about treatment for your back pain and related problems. Your doctor has proposed surgery to relieve your back discomfort using the INTER FIX™ Threaded Fusion Device. The purpose of this section is to give you some background about back surgery and this medical device system.

Some common causes of back problems are disc injury (e.g., herniation or rupture) and degenerative discs. Disc degeneration affects about 12 million people in the U.S., of which most are within the ages of 20 to 65.

Persistent pain in your low back or leg caused by spinal disc problems can be frustrating because it limits your ability to move and do the things you enjoy. To manage your low back (lumbar) problem, you may have followed your doctor’s conservative treatment plan- rest, medication, physical therapy, and exercise. But, despite your best efforts, the pain won’t go away. Surgery may help relieve your pain by treating your disc problem..

Your Lower Back

 

Posterior	Anterior

The bony vertebrae, which encircle and protect your spinal cord, are separated by shock-absorbing discs. The discs give your spine the flexibility to move. Nerves branching from the spinal cord pass through openings in the vertebrae to other parts of your body. Several of these nerves join at the base of the spine to form the sciatic nerve, which runs down your leg. As discs lose their water content because of disease or age, they lose their height, bringing the vertebrae closer together. The consequence is a weakening of the shock absorption properties of the disc and a narrowing of the nerve openings in the sides of the spine that pinch your nerves. Disc degeneration eventually causes back and/or leg pain. Each disc has a spongy center (nucleus) surrounded by tough outer rings. Wear and tear, poor posture and incorrect body movements can weaken the disc.

Disc Problems

Pressure On The Nerve
The INTER FIX™ Threaded Fusion Device was designed to aid in the treatment for disc disorders.

Surgical Intervention
The INTER FIX™ Threaded Fusion Device is a small, hollow, threaded metal cylinder that is intended to restore the degenerated disc space to its original height, thereby relieving the pressure on your nerves. Two implants are to be used.

During your surgery, your doctor will remove portions of the degenerated disc and vertebral body to allow the implants to be inserted. Bone will then be taken from your hip or from the area in which the implants will be inserted and packed inside the hollow implants. Although this treatment may help relieve your pain, spinal surgery is not without risks. Please consult your doctor about the rates and types of possible complications related to treatment with the INTER FIX Threaded Fusion Device.

NOTE: If there is anything you do not understand about the information provided here, it is your responsibility to ask a member of your health care team for assistance before you make your final decision.

After Surgery

Ask your doctor about the postoperative rehabilitation program and required follow-up. It is important to follow your doctor’s instructions carefully to recover from surgery as quickly as possible and increase your chances of a successful outcome.

Recovering from back pain and surgery is an ongoing process. How fast you recover depends on the type of surgery you had, your commitment to working closely with your physical therapist, and moving and exercising correctly, as recommended by your surgeon.

Physical Therapy
After surgery, your surgeon may refer you to a physical therapist who will teach you exercises to improve your strength and increase your mobility. The goal of physical therapy is to help you become active as soon as possible, using safe body movements that protect your back.

Your Role In Recovery

The ongoing health of your back really depends on you. It’s up to you to follow your surgeon’s recommendations, such as seeing your physical therapist regularly. Remember to move and exercise properly as you return to a more active lifestyle.

Good body mechanics keep your spine well-aligned and reduce pain, but maintaining a safe, balanced position may require some changes in how you go about daily activities. For instance, you may need to learn different ways of standing, sitting, or lifting to avoid reinjuring your back.

Exercise Regularly
Your recovery plan may include back and stomach exercises, such as sit-ups, to strengthen muscles that help support your back. Done regularly, these exercises can help you build the strong, flexible muscles you need to protect your back.

Follow-up Care
You and your surgeon will continue to work together during your recovery. Before you leave the hospital, your surgeon may schedule follow-up visits with you so that he or she can evaluate your progress, advise you about your activity level, and adjust any medication, if necessary. Sometimes your doctor may recommend follow-up tests to make sure you are healing properly.

Possible Outcomes and Complications

Consult us for expected clinical outcomes for your situation. Your doctor will have the clinical results from the use of the device and be in a position to relate the results to your particular case.

Furthermore, spinal surgery is not without risk. A variety of complications, some of which may be severe, may occur affecting your outcome, and the results achieved in a clinical trial may not be the same as in the population at large.

Specific information on the rates and types of complications for the INTER FIX™ Threaded Fusion Device and spinal surgery can be discussed with our office.

Comments

While this section has hopefully provided you with the information you need to make an informed decision about your treatment options, it is not intended to replace professional medical care or provide medical advice. If you have any questions or need additional information about the INTER FIX™ Threaded Fusion Device, please call our office.