MOTION PRESERVATION

Degenerative disc disease is a common disorder that causes chronic back pain. Currently, very few surgical procedures are available to relieve discomfort from severe back pain while preserving spinal motion.

Dr. Regan is currently participating in three clinical trials for the treatment of degenerative disc disease: the PRESTIGE® LP Cervical Disc, the Porous Coated Motion Artificial Disc and the Wallis Stabilization System . Dr. Regan was also a participating surgeon in the Dyneses Spinal System that was recently approved. Information on each of these trials and the approved treatments are provided on this page.

PRESTIGE LP CervicalDisc

The PRESTIGE LP cervical disc is used for the treatment of degenerative disc disease and was studied in early 2005 for use in one level of the cervical spine (in the neck). Now, the PRESTIGE LP cervical disc is under study in the first multi-level (two vertebral levels) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clinical trial in the United States . To read more about this clinical trial and learn how to participate in the trial, click here .

Porous Coated Motion Artificial Disc

The Porous Coated Motion (PCM) cervical artificial disc is used for the treatment of degenerative disc disease. The PCM artificial disc replacement procedure does not use fusion and the disc is designed to preserve flexibility and motion by keeping the normal cervical spacing intact. PCM artificial disc replacement surgery is currently under study in a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clinical trial. To read more about this trial and learn how to participate in the trial, click here .

Wallis Stabilization System

The Wallis Stabilization System is a system for the treatment of the chronic pain associated with degenerative disc disease, which stabilizes the lumbar spine without a spinal fusion procedure. The Wallis Stabilization System is now under study in a Food and Drug Administration clinical trial. To read more about this trial and learn how to participate in the trial, click here .

Dyneses Spinal Systems

It is estimated that nearly 400,000 people in the United States undergo spinal fusion every year. The Dyneses system provides spine surgeons with an alternative to the rigid fixation provided by most of today's systems.

The Dyneses Spinal System is a new treatment for the relief of back and leg pain. Approved in the United States in March 2005 and available in Europe since 1994, over 8000 patients have been treated successfully.

The Dyneses system consists of implantable spacers made of surgical polyurethane (flexible plastic) tubing that surround a polyethylene (nylon-like) cord. These flexible materials stabilize the vertebrae while leaving intact the discs and joints between them. The Dyneses system is unique in that the vertebrae are kept in a more natural position. The spine is stabilized without fusion and the Dyneses system preserves some motion in the spine.

For additional information on this procedure or to schedule a consultation/appointment with Dr. Regan, call us at (310) 385-8010.