Interspinous Spacers

Some of the terms commonly used to describe this conditions that can be treated with MIS surgery include lumbar stenosis, sciatica, back pain, and arthritis. Other terms that are closely related include disc protrusion, bulging disc, pinched nerve, sciatica, disc disease, disc degeneration, degenerative disc disease, and black disc.

As we age our disc or shock absorber dehydrates. This can lead to a constant low back pain and ache. Eventually the joints of the spine become arthritic and in response to this the body stiffens its ligaments. This thickening of extra bone and ligaments will begin to compress the nerves. Once a nerve is pinched, pain from this nerve will radiate into the regions served by affected nerve roots that are irritated or impinged by the arthritic material. Often, patients have pains in the thighs, knees, or feet. Other symptoms may include sensory changes such as numbness, tingling, muscular weakness, paralysis, paresthesia, and abnormal reflexes.

All areas under compression from excess tissue are removed by Dr. Pazmino under direct magnification. Dr. Pazmino utilizes special surgical loupes or a surgical microscope to find and remove all excess bone and arthritic ligaments.

The Coflex, Vertiflex, or XStop are Titanium implants Dr. Pazmino places between the spinous processes of the lumbar spine to indirectly create foraminal distraction.

The Coflex™ device represents an advanced in posterior spinal decompression. It provides segmental spinal dynamic stabilization without the use of pedicle screws, thus preserving pedicle tissue and avoiding the risk of pedicle screw implantation. Because of its shape, it has more contact surface, giving it a distinct advantage over other interpsinous/interlamninar decompression devices. Dr. Pazmino uses the Coflex ™ in the treatment of moderate to severe spinal canal stenosis with spinal instability

These implants have all been through or are currently undergoing (in the case of Vertiflex) exhaustive review through clinical trials in order to obtain clearance from the FDA. Dr. Pazmino was an investigator on the Coflex Clinical trial. This was a multi-center, prospective, randomized controlled study that evaluated the safety and effectiveness of lumbar laminotomy decompression augmented with the implantation of the Coflex device as compared to the most common treatment of spinal stenosis; lumbar laminotomy decompression, augmented with pedicle screw fixation and fusion.

Every patient at Spine Cal gets custom care from Dr. Pazmino that is tailored to the individual, we remove barriers and burdens, so the patient and family can focus on their recovery. We work with you to understand your individual needs while also tailoring a plan of care that will maximize your comfort.

Patients in California, or those who travel to Spine Cal have the distinct advantage of having Dr. Pazmino perform the procedure himself. Dr. Pazmino can perform this through his standard minimally invasive posterior approach. This enables him clear visualization into the disc space. Through this procedure Dr. Pazmino limits dissection through important posterior muscular structures.