4 Key Reasons Why Motion Preservation Devices are Taking Over Spinal Fusions

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Imagine you had severe back pain, and you were told the best option was to literally stop your vertebrae from moving; would you do it? This was often what patients were told not too long ago. However, since the approval of technology that promises a solution without loss of motion, the future of these patients looks much brighter, and a shift has begun. However, this isn’t just a shift in patient preference; this trend to motion preservation devices is a result of 4 key factors.

What is a spinal fusion?

Spinal fusion is a surgical procedure designed to combine two or more vertebrae together, eventually forming a fused bone. This technique is used to immobilize the vertebrae in order to eliminate, or significantly reduce, the pain caused by abnormal movement of the vertebrae through immobilization. Supplemental bone tissue, either autograft or allograft, is used in promoting bone tissue growth.

What is motion preservation?

Motion preservation is used to treat pathologies similar to those addressed by spinal fusions.  However, unlike spinal fusion, motion preservation devices act to preserve the natural motion of the spine. Some motion preservation devices are used for treating pathologies that were previously untreatable with traditional fusion procedures, thus creating new markets for spinal implants. Motion preservation devices may be divided into the following categories: artificial discs and dynamic stabilization devices.

4 Reasons Why Motion Preservation is Taking Over From Spinal Fusions

1: Preserving Spinal Motion

The function which gives motion preservation devices their name is precisely its advantage over traditional spinal fusion techniques. While a fusion procedure limits motion almost entirely, artificial discs aim to restore or maintain the natural motion of the human spine. Studies have shown that when given the choice between a fusion and a motion preserving device, putting cost aside, patients prefer motion preserving devices. The number of spinal fusions performed is expected to fall as a direct result of increased patient preference for motion preservation.

2: Reduced Need for Revision Surgery

The main criticism of spinal fusion is that there is substantial evidence that revision surgery is often needed. Studies have shown that after a level is fused, the likelihood of adjacent levels developing degenerative disc disease (DDD) increases substantially. Motion preservation procedures do not carry this concern.

Also, not every patient suffering from degenerative disc disease requires a fusion. Motion preservation devices, such as annular repair or nucleus replacement, can delay or prevent spinal fusions from becoming necessary.

This article was originally published on Orthogate, to continue reading please visit https://www.orthogate.org/articles/spine/4-key-reasons-why-motion-preservation-devices-are-taking-over-spinal-fusions

For Further Information

More on the spinal implants and VCF market in the US can be found in a series of reports published by iData entitled the US Market Report Suite for Spinal Implants and VCF. This report covers the following market segments: traditional cervical and thoracolumbar fixation devices, interbody devices, motion preservation devices, vertebral compression fracture (VCF) treatment, and spinal instrumentation.

The iData series on the market for spinal implants and VCF covers the U.S., Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Argentina), and 15 countries in Europe including Germany, France, the United Kingdom (U.K.), Italy, Spain, Benelux (Belgium, Netherlands and Luxemburg), Scandinavia (Finland, Denmark, Sweden and Norway), Portugal, Austria and Switzerland. Reports provide a comprehensive analysis including units sold, procedure numbers, market value, forecasts, as well as detailed competitive market shares and analysis of major players’ success strategies in each market and segment. To find out more about spinal implants and VCF market data or procedure data, register online or email us at info@idataresearch.net for a US Market Report Suite for Spinal Implants and VCF brochure and synopsis

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