Spine Problems

Herniated Disc

Discs are the oval shaped wedges located between each of the vertebrae, or bones, of the spine. Discs act as shock absorbers for the spine and each disc is made of a tough outer layer called the "annulus fibrosis" and a gel-like center called the "nucleus pulposus." If the protective outer layer of the disc is damaged by injury or weakened by age, a portion can give way to pressure, causing the gel-like nucleus to either bulge or leak out. This condition is referred to as a herniated disc.

A herniated disc where there is no leakage of the gel-like center is referred to as a “contained” herniated disc. Plasma Disc Decompression is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat patients with contained herniated discs who have failed conservative care and are not yet candidates for major surgery.

Vertebral Compression Fractures  

The spine contains a series of bones called vertebrae. A vertebral compression fracture occurs when one or more of these bones weakens and fractures. The most common cause of vertebral compression fractures is osteoporosis, however these fractures can also occur as a result of a tumor or trauma. Osteoporosis can cause bones to become brittle, resulting in weakened vertebrae. Once this happens, the smallest activity can cause the vertebrae to collapse, resulting in debilitating pain. Vertebroplasty provides hope for the thousands of patients suffering from severe back pain caused by a vertebral compression fracture by reducing their pain.

Vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive procedure during which a physician injects medical grade bone cement into the fractured vertebra to stabilize the fracture. People suffering from vertebral fractures are traditionally treated with medication, bed rest and external bracing—or conservative care. If pain persists, patients are then referred to a specially trained physician to see if Percutaneous Vertebroplasty will work for them. Learn more. Visit www.vertebroplasty.com.

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Malignant Lesions

In some patients, vertebral compression fractures are caused by abnormalities or disease in the soft tissues inside the vertebrae. The most common vertebral lesions are the result of secondary cancers such as breast, lung and prostate. The spine is the third most common site in the body for cancer metastases. Some primary cancers such as multiple myeloma are also found in the vertebral body, and as the lesion grows, the vertebral body loses structural integrity and may fracture.


Coblation® technology by ArthroCare® enables quick removal of malignant tissue in a vertebral body by creating a cavity in the affected tissue. This procedure is performed by a specialist (typically an interventional radiologist or neurosurgeon). A radiation oncologist is also an integral part of the patient referral pattern for this procedure.


Overall Results:

• Used in over 1,000 tumor treatment procedures
• Over 250 physicians have been trained on this procedure
• Minimally invasive treatment
• Typically adds on 10 minutes to a secondary procedure
• General or local anesthesia is utilized
• May require an overnight hospital stay depending on patients co-morbidities

Videos
See Cavity SpineWand in Action PN 29565A	Dr. Vrionis talks about Cavity SpineWand PN 29993A

For more information about our technologies please contact ArthroCare directly at 1-877-620-BACK or info@arthrocare.com