Reaching New Heights in Back Pain Relief

Lower back pain is second to headaches as the most common neurological affliction, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. While it typically fades in a short time, for some it's a life-hindering condition.

A common cause of back pain is a worn spinal disc, resulting in stiffness and pain in the surrounding vertebrae. If conservative treatments such as exercise and medication aren't enough, surgery may be needed.

Spinal fusion surgery, one of the most common spine surgeries, removes the worn disc and grafts (connects) two or more surrounding vertebrae together. While conventional spinal fusion requires two surgeries (one to take bone from the patient's hip for the graft and a second to repair the vertebrae), today there is a new minimally invasive procedure available for treatment of this condition.

Introducing INFUSE
The FDA-approved INFUSE Bone Graft uses a genetically engineered protein powder called recombinant human protein BMP-2 (rhBMP-2). After the worn disc is removed, the rhBMP-2 is combined with sterile water and a collagen sponge and then placed in a thimble-like titanium device called an LT-CAGE at the disc's site. Together the INFUSE Bone Graft and LT-CAGE promote bone growth to fuse the affected vertebrae and reduce pain.

The LT-CAGE is a thimble-like device used with the INFUSE Bone Graft to maintain proper vertebrae height and provide stabilization for the spine during fusion.

"Even some patients with complicated conditions can have less post-operative pain with this new technique since removing bone from the patient's hip is avoided," says John Peloza, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon specializing in spine care on the medical staff at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas. "This is just one way spine surgery is rapidly advancing, bringing another treatment option to people suffering from low back pain."