Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2012, coflex is a minimally invasive device that’s designed to preserve motion in patients requiring treatment for moderate to severe spinal stenosis that’s present with or without accompanying back pain. Whether or not you’re a viable candidate for the coflex procedure in Santa Monica depends on how you answer these questions:
Have you tried non-surgical options for the last six months?
Before being a candidate for the coflex or any type of spine surgery, you’ll need to exhaust most common non-surgical procedures (physical therapy, OTC and prescription medications). If you’re not experiencing substantial relief after six months, the coflex becomes an option.
Have you been diagnosed with moderate to severe spinal stenosis?
Before you become a possible candidate for the coflex, you’ll need a confirmed spinal stenosis diagnosis. Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of spaces in the spine resulting in pressure on nerves supporting the spine or pressure directly on the spinal cord itself. Your condition needs to be at least at the moderate to severe level since anything less severe will most likely respond to non-surgical remedies.
Coflex Criteria Checklist
√ Must be at full skeletal maturity (most surgeons prefer patients to be at least 40 years of age)
√ Moderate to severe lumbar stenosis
√ No prior lumbar fusions
√ No lumbar disc herniation that will require concurrent surgery
√ No pregnancy or planned pregnancy
Benefits of Surgery with the Coflex
If you are a candidate for the coflex device, you’ll benefit from less blood loss since a smaller incision is necessary. There will also be less trauma to supporting muscles and tendons in the area where the device is being inserted and attached. You’ll also need less recovery time compared to how long it would normally take to heal after something more invasive like fusion spine surgery.
To see if coflex is the right choice for you, reach out to the Spine Institute Center for Spinal Restoration today. Medical Director, Dr. Hyun Bae, was among a prestigious group of surgeons selected to bring coflex to the market and was a principal research of the clinical trail that lead to the device’s FDA approval. Call 310-828-7757 to request additional information or an in-person consultation with Dr. Bae – we look forward to hearing from you.