Gel Filled Pillow Relieves Pain From Spinal Arthritis - By: jameeodpra

A new arthritis treatment being tried in the UK may provide relief from spinal arthritis pain. The procedure inserts a small, gel filled pillow onto the spine, providing relief from arthritis pain.

Spinal arthritis is one of the many reasons people suffer from back pain. Spinal arthritis is caused when the protective cartilage that cushions the joints in the spine degenerates, creating pressure on the vertebral joints. Often, this results in impacted nerves in the spinal column, causing pain, weakness, and numbness.

Spinal arthritis most often is suffered by adults over 55 years old. The condition can be made worse by repetitive stress on the vertebral joints and by obesity. Over eight million British residents suffer from various stages of spinal arthritis. While many can continue normal life activities, others are severely impacted by the pain.

Historically, treatments for spinal arthritis have been limited to physical therapy, painkillers (including NSAIDs), corticosteroid injections, and adaptive behavior, limiting the patient’s ability to enjoy life.

UK residents can now try a new treatment, the implant of a small "pillow" to relieve spinal arthritis symptoms.

Although not yet approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, England's NICE (the National Institute for Clinical Excellence) has approved the device, known as the "Device for Intervertebral Assisted Motion" or "DIAM" Implant. The device is an H-shaped device made of silicone, with an outer mesh and ties made of polyester. The DIAM acts as a cushion and stabilizer. It is implanted between the spinous processes — the parts of the vertebrae that protrude from the back of the spine (you can feel them if you run your finger up and down your back) — around the injured area.

The DIAM implant was developed by Medtronic, a United States medical product manufacturer. To date, research shows that not only does the implant work as a shock absorber, but it restores the natural working of the joint and eases pain. Medtronic studied 68 recipients of the implant, who ranged in ages between 23 and 75 years old. Patients’ movement improved by an average of 64%, and their pain decreased by an average of 71%. All of the patients in the study improved. Age did not seem to affect the improvement.

Implant of the device is typically performed on an outpatient basis, with the surgery lasting less than 45 minutes. The implant surgery is performed with the patient lying on his or her stomach. The surgeon makes a small cut along the back of the spine, and then retracts the muscle and tissue to access the spine. The area is cleaned by the surgeon removing any required material, including any bony overgrowths caused by the arthritis. The DIAM implant is placed between two spinous processes (those bumps again), and it is then tied off to adjacent vertebrae to stabilize the implant. The incision is closed with a few stitches.

Patients can usually go home as soon as the general anesthetic has worn off and they are able to walk. While sometimes, physical therapy is used to improve the patient’s core strength and stability, most of the time no rehabilitation is required.

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