Effectiveness and Safety of the Facet Fixation (FFX®) Implant in the Treatment of Degenerative Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Launched by SC MEDICA · Oct 24, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is examining a new treatment for people with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis, a condition where the spaces in the lower back become narrow, causing pain and other symptoms. The researchers want to find out if adding a special implant called the Facet Fixation (FFX®) to the standard spinal decompression surgery is more effective than just the surgery alone. The main goal is to see how well patients feel after two years of treatment.

To participate in this trial, you need to be at least 50 years old and have been experiencing moderate back pain for some time, despite trying other treatments for at least three months. You also need to have specific imaging results that confirm your condition. However, certain health issues, like previous back surgeries or significant spinal problems, may disqualify you from participating. If you do join, you can expect regular follow-ups, questionnaires about your pain levels, and monitoring of your recovery. It's a chance to help evaluate a potentially new treatment option for a common back problem.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Age ≥ 50 years.
• • Radiographic confirmation of clinical symptoms of at least moderate degenerative spinal stenosis, of 1 to 3 adjacent segments in the L1-S1 region with the need for surgical decompression.
• • Radiographic confirmation of no translational instability in main segment as well as in adjacent segments (dynamic translational instability ≤3 mm);
• • Visual analogue scale (VAS) back pain score ≥ 50 mm (on a 100-mm scale).
• • Minimum of 3 months of conservative therapy without improvement of symptoms.
• • Mental \& physical ability of the subject to follow the protocol (i.e., compliance with time schedule \& treatment plan, able to fill in questionnaire \& to undergo further study procedures).
• • Personally signed and dated informed consent document prior to any study-related procedures indicating that the subject has been informed of all pertinent aspects of the clinical investigation.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Prior lumbar spine surgery.
• • Radiographically confirmed damage of a vertebral body (e.g., osteoporotic compression fracture or because of tumours), at any lumbar level.
• • Isthmic or degenerative spondylolisthesis (anterolisthesis; retrolisthesis ≥ grade II) or spondylolysis (pars fracture).
• • Degenerative lumbar scoliosis (Cobb angle \> 25°).
• • Adipositas (obesity); defined as a body mass index (BMI) \>40.
• • Pregnancy, or wish to get pregnant during the course of the study, or breastfeeding.
• • Known allergy or sensitivity to titanium, titanium alloys, or MRI contrast agents.
• • Active or chronic infection-systemic or local.
• • History of significant peripheral neuropathy.
• • Significant peripheral vascular disease (e.g., with diminished dorsalis pedis or posterior tibial pulses).
• • Paget disease, osteomalacia or other metabolic bone disorders.
• • Cauda equina syndrome.
• • Known or documented history of transmissible disease, including AIDS, HIV and active hepatitis.
• • More than 3 vertebral levels requiring surgery.
• • Disc herniation at any lumbar level requiring surgical intervention.
• • Known osteoporosis (bone mineral density, BMD \< 120 mg/cm3).
• • Chronically taking medications or any drug known to potentially interfere with bone/soft tissue healing (e.g., steroids), not including a Medrol (methylprednisolone) dose pack.
• • Fixed and complete motor, sensory, or reflex deficit.
• • Rheumatoid arthritis or other autoimmune diseases.
• • Active malignancy: a subject with a history of any invasive malignancy (except non-melanoma skin cancer) unless he/she has been treated with curative intent and there has been no clinical signs or symptoms of the malignancy for at least 5 years. Subjects with a primary bony tumour are excluded as well.
• • Subject with a history of substance abuse (e.g., recreational drugs, narcotics, or alcohol).
• • Bone destruction, demineralisation or any affection potentially affecting fixation of an implant.
• • Spondylodiscitis or spine tumour.
• • Currently seeking or receiving workman's compensation.
• • In active spinal litigation.
• • Subjects who participate(d) in another clinical trial (within the last 4 weeks) that might influence the safety \& effectiveness assessment of this trial.
• • Subjects who are lawfully kept in an institution.
• • Subject who, in the opinion of the investigator, will be inappropriate for inclusion in this clinical trial or who will not comply with requirements of the study.
• • Subject under supervision or legal guardianship, or judicial protection.
• • Subject deprived of liberty by judicial or administrative decision.
• • Subject not covered by a social security scheme.