The X-STOP^® procedure

The procedure may be performed in either the operating room or special procedures room at the hospital. Using local anesthesia and with the help of X-ray guidance, the X-STOP implant is inserted through a small incision in the skin of your back. Alternatively, your surgeon may elect to use general anesthesia.

You will be placed on your side during the procedure so that you can bend your spine when the X-STOP is inserted. The surgery to implant the X-STOP typically lasts 45 minutes to an hour-and-a-half. During this time you may be awake and able to communicate with your doctor.

Why may X-STOP^® IPD work?

The X-STOP implant is designed to keep the space between your spinous processes open, so that when you stand upright the nerves in your back will not be pinched or cause pain. With the X-STOP implant in place, you should not need to bend forward to relive your symptoms.

IPD offers several benefits compared to traditional surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis, including:

• the option of local anesthesia
• the potential to be an outpatient procedure
• usually no removal of bone or soft tissue allowing for potentially quicker recovery
• fully reversible procedure that does not limit any future non-surgical and surgical treatment options

©2005 St. Francis Medical Technologies, Inc.