It can help. In my country we prefer Coflex implant, but they have similar effect.

If you are older patient with spinal stenosis on 1 or 2 levels with neurogenic claudication, then you are possible candidate for interspinous implant.

Hiya chris.

The big downfall of the X-stop device is, that if you are young and active
there could possibly be, a big reduction in your extension movement, that is to say when you are at full stretch, like reaching to the top of a wardrobe and the like. This is because the device is placed under the dorsal part of the vertabrae at the back, this creates a physical block to such movement and compressive forces on the vertabrae when stressed.

Do you Research and only deal with Surgeons who can show a 'long' & 'successful' history of clinical outcomes for patients.

All the best

SPINELF

Thanks for your replys it gives you a reassuring sense that there are people out there who understand what others are going through.

My partner works in a hospital and recommended me to the consultant I see in a couple of hours in fact he has been in spine operations with the consultant and assisted him, so no I have not done much research in the surgeons available.

Anyway really worried now as some may not understand the consultancy is where your find out what real options you have left. I have been doing Physio now for around 8 weeks and nothing has improved only got slightly worse.

Chris

I have a great presentation about X-Stop, made by well-known US spine surgeon. Let me know if you want me to send it over.

I have been doing Physio now for around 8 weeks and nothing has improved only got slightly worse.

Chris

Chris, have you tried Osteopathic, Chiropractic, bowens or Alexander therapists intead of Physio?

I went to see the consultant and he stated that there was no way that Physio would help the problem and that the only way forward was spinal decompression. He stated that I would have an injection in the next couple of days for pain relief and give me time to prepare for the operation.

I said that why not just go for the operation (which I dont really want) and he said that this would be the best way forward.

I asked him what would happen if I did not have the operation and he said eventually I would have a dropped foot.

Anyway once again thanks for the advice and I will research what spinelf has posted about the alternatives for physio.

Also thanks for the help about forwarding the X stop procedure but the consultant ruled that one out.

Thanks again

Chris

Hi Chris

If you wish to avoid surgery, why not try other methods that decompress your spine?

Various studies have shown that using an inversion table to around 60 degree's will achieve the desired result. Used often enough (eg twice a day) many people gain lasting relief. These studies include a recent pilot study done by Newcastle General Hospital that found patients with sciatic problems were 70.5% less likely to need surgery when they used Inversion Table.

Inversion therapy does not suite everyone though, so check the contraindications. If you can't use an inversion table it maybe worth looking at a newer device, the Nubax Trio. Clinical trials conducted by the University of Western Australia revealed that users of the Nubax Trio consistently achieve better results, than those people who rely solely on commonly prescribed forms of manipulation, massage and other exercises for their back pain. Again regular daily use is the key, rather than one off or weekly usage.

There is also a huge amount of anecdotal evidence for both devices.

Hope you find a solution.
Pete

I think I am missing something here as it seems there is alternatives to severe stenosis but not sure what ?

The MRI scan said that I have stenosis with a lateral diameter of 1cm and the surgeon said that the only way to rectify this was surgery ?

I also have an impinged nerve through a bulging disc.

All of these things are new to me but the surgeon was sure that the only way forward was surgery :confused:

But I am sure of one thing that during a recession surgery is not a good thing to be having due to the time taken of work and also the possibilities of things going wrong.

Hi Chris

I am not medically trained, so I cannot comment on whether you need surgery or not, I just picked up on your comment of
[INDENT]"he stated that there was no way that Physio would help the problem and that the only way forward was spinal decompression"
[/INDENT]Unfortunately in my experience people, including doctors, tend to recommend the treatments they know or believe in and and very sceptical and derisive regarding anything different.

In some respects I sympathise with doctors, they are in a system where looking or thinking 'out side of the box' of conventional treatment may result in their professional redicule or even struck off the medical register. Just look at Dr Myhill: .

I'm sorry I cannot be of more help. All I would suggest is to echo what spinelf has said and possibly seeking advice from another professional such as Osteopath, Chiropractor, Bowens or Alexander therapists etc.

Pete

Hiya Chris

Yes Chris, there are alternatives out there, but the medics won't make it easy for you to find and won't recommend them, this for the reasons Pete
gave. You will need to research them yourself and sometimes you will have to 'suck it and see' before you find a therapy that suits.

If you are to go down the surgical route, there are alternative options for you there too! So don't just swallow what your GP or Consultant say!

Read the forum for pointers!

Happy researching

SPINELF

After further consultations with my physiotherapist and other friends in the medical field I have decided that I will go ahead with the spinal decompression operation and have been booked in for June 2nd Wednesday.

Bit worried about it all but I am sure that everyone is the same, so I have two weeks further to worry but hopefully all the pain that I have endured in the past it will eventually be worth it.

My friend knows the consultant and the anaethetist ? and I have been assured that I will be having a pre-med before the operation apparently this makes it easier to proceed.

Thanks for all your replies and after the operation will post again to say how I got on.

Chris

Spinal Stenosis

Hi, I was interested to hear if you had the surgery and the eventual result ie did it relieve the pain then and is any improvement lasting.? I have lumbar spinal stenosis and am about to obtain a second opinion as my first consultant simply wanted to operate. The X-stop device has also been suggested but reserach suggests a high failure rate. I have tried non-surgical options such as chiropracture and physio but did not help.