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Promising New Treatment for Low Back Pain

This study reports the results of one surgeon using the Maverick disc implant for 64 patients. All patients had chronic low back pain (LBP) for more than one year. The Maverick device is a metal-on-metal implant. It has a posterior center of rotation.

Results were measured by pain levels, nerve function, and overall physical function. Everyone was followed every few months for 18 months up to three years.

A special focus of this study was to look at the results of disc replacement in patients with facet joint damage and loss of muscle fat. The facet joints are part of the vertebral bones. This is where spinal motion takes place. Joint breakdown and other changes occur from osteoarthritis.

Early results show the Maverick disc replacement has equal results as a spinal fusion. In fact, the long-term results may even be better if the next disc up or down doesn't get damaged from stress and extra loading. Since the disc allows near normal motion, there's less compressive force through the spine.

Facet degeneration and the loss of fatty tissue in the muscles don't seem to make a difference in results for this device.

References: Jean-Charles Le Huec, MD, PhD, et al. Influence of Facet and Posterior Muscle Degeneration on Clinical Results of Lumbar Total Disc Replacement: Two-Year Follow-Up. In Journal of Spinal Disorders. June 2005. Vol. 18. No. 3. Pp. 219-223.

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