About Decompression

Intervertebral disc pathology is one of the primary causes of back and neck pain. The discs are prone to degeneration and injury as they are compressed and twisted through daily activities. As the disc degenerates, the gel-like nucleus loses its hydration, reducing disc height and creating the possibility of facet syndrome and lateral foraminal stenosis. Furthermore, disc degeneration causes the pliable outer coating of the annulus to become brittle and susceptible to cracks and tears that can lead to disc herniations. Bulging or herniated discs often press on spinal nerves, causing severe pain and radiculopathy.
Damaged intervertebral discs seldom heal because they remain under constant pressure, even while a person is at rest. It is widely accepted that the ideal environment to improve disc pathology is to decompress, or reduce the intradiscal pressures of the damaged disc. The goal of reducing intradiscal pressure is to enhance the osmotic diffusion of fluids and nutrients across the endplates into the disc, furthering the body’s natural healing abilities. Additionally, reduction of intradiscal pressures may help draw the nucleus pulposus of a herniated disc back towards the center, thereby relieving pressure on a compressed nerve root—alleviating the problem and the pain.

FAQ

What is the goal of SpineMED® Decompression?

The SpineMED® System is designed to isolate and decompress lumbar or cervical discs through distraction and positioning of the spine. Under distraction the pressure exerted on the discs can be reduced dramatically.1 Reduced intradiscal pressure may help draw the gel like nucleus pulposis back into the center of the disc, thereby relieving pressure on a compressed nerve root. Additionally, reduced pressures may increase the diffusion of fluids and nutrients across the end plates back into the disc, to enhance the body’s natural healing abilities.
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What separates SpineMED® from the competition?

The SpineMED® System is patented technology (patent # 7201729). The SpineMED® System has eliminated the use of cumbersome nylon harnesses and outdated traction components. The patented pelvic restraint system provides a secure, comfortable and repeatable capture of the skeletal structure, eliminating the variability and inconvenience of pelvic harnesses. Once the pelvis is captured, the technician can accurately isolate the damaged spinal segment by adjusting the patented pelvic tilting section. Increased specificity combined with a more efficient capture results in lower force requirements than previous technologies (as little as 60%). The SpineMED® System’s ability to achieve results using lower distractive forces greatly increases the scope of patient suitability, particularly with acute patients and the growing geriatric population. Extensive computerization and hospital grade components make the SpineMED® System the most sophisticated decompression device on the market.

1 Ramos G, Martin W. Effects of vertebral axial decompression on intradiscal pressure, JNeurosurg 1994; 81:350-353.
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What are the indications for SpineMED®?

SpineMED® is a conservative procedure for patients suffering with bulging or herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, posterior facet syndrome, sciatica, failed back surgery syndrome, and non-specified mechanical low back or neck pain.
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What are the contraindications for SpineMED®?

The low force requirements associated with SpineMED® limit the contraindications significantly. Primarily, the contraindications for the decompression procedure are instabilities of the spine such as recent fractures, bilateral pars defects, spondylolisthesis above grade 2 or gross osteoporosis. Additional contraindications include cancers or tumors of the spine, pregnancy and patients under the age of 15. Post surgical patients are not contraindicated unless they have surgical hardware fixation in the region of the spine being targeted.
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What is the SpineMED® protocol?

The SpineMED® protocol consists of 20 sessions that typically administered 3-5 times per week over a 4-6 week period. The procedure is performed with the patient fully clothed and has been described as safe and pain free, where most patients cannot discern when the SpineMED® is active. Each session has a cumulative effect that may significantly reduce pain and improve function as patients progress through the SpineMED® program.
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