X-Stop Interspinous Process Spacer Placement

The X-Stop Interspinous Spacer is a small FDA-approved device that is implanted in the spine to relieve pain caused by pinched nerves or spinal stenosis.  These conditions involve a narrowing of the space between vertebrae, causing friction between bone and tissue in the spine.  Patients often experience back pain as well as numbness and tingling throughout the legs and feet. 

The X-Stop spacer is placed in between two bones at the site of the pinched nerve to help relieve irritation and pain, and stays in place permanently with no need for fusion, screws, plates or other hardware.

The X-Stop spacer is placed during an outpatient procedure performed under local anesthesia.  In most cases, there is no need to remove any bone or tissue from the spine, and patients can usually resume all physical activity after two to six weeks.  Physical therapy may be needed after this procedure, but most patients eventually experience effective pain relief while sitting, standing and walking.