Lumbar Interbody Fusion Using the Telamon® Peek™ Versus the Telamon® Hydrosorb™ Fusion Device

Medtronic

Status and phase

Terminated

Phase 4

Conditions

Spondylolisthesis

Spinal Stenosis

Low Back Pain

Intervertebral Disc Displacement

Treatments

Device: Lumbar Interbody Fusion

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Industry

Identifiers

NCT00095095

NL04-90

Details and patient eligibility

About

Lumbar spinal fusion is commonly performed as a "last resort" in patients with chronic low back pain caused by degenerative changes and instability of the spine. The aim of this study is to compare two fusion devices, which are used in spinal surgery in order to promote the fusion of two lumbar vertebrae.

Full description

Lumbar spinal fusion is commonly performed as a "last resort" in patients with chronic low back pain caused by degenerative changes and instability of the spine. The surgical treatment involves the removal of an intervertebral disc, and subsequently the union of the two adjacent intervertebral bodies, such that a bony connection is formed within time after surgery. Lumbar spinal fusion is being performed with increasing frequency. Many interbody fusion methods have been described. In recent years, several types of fusion cages have been developed. These cages are made of various materials: titanium, stainless steel, carbon fiber or polyethylethylketone (Peek). Fusion cages have been quickly integrated into orthopedic practice.

To date, no studies have been conducted that compare the efficacy of nonresorbable and bioresorbable fusion cage devices. In this study the surgical and clinical outcomes are compared of patients with degenerative lumbar spine disorders who undergo lumbar fusion with a nonresorbable versus a bioresorbable fusion cage. Patients with lumbar spinal disorders will be recruited from several European centers and randomly allocated to one of the two intervention groups. In both treatment groups lumbar spinal fusion is performed using a standardized technique.

Patients will be evaluated during two years post-operatively. During this follow up period, the clinical outcome and fusion parameters will be assessed.

Sex

All

Ages

18 to 70 years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Both genders, age between 18 and 70 years
Chronic low back pain (> 3 months) with or without leg pain but no signs of motor loss
Based on clinical history, physical examination, and radiographic signs, pain interpreted as emanating from L4-L5 or L5-S1
Symptoms refractory to conservative treatment for at least 3 months
Evidence of degenerative changes at L4-L5 or L5-S1 (spondylosis) on plain radiographs and/or CT scan, and/or MRI. The pathology should be predominant on one level.
Single-level Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion surgery (PLIF) is indicated by the spine surgeon
Additional posterior fixation is mandatory
Use of autograft of the iliac crest is possible
Ability to provide informed consent

Exclusion criteria

Previous lumbar spinal fusion
All other previous spinal surgery except for successful removal of a herniated disc more than 2 years before entering the study
Symptomatic degenerative disc disorder at more than one lumbar level
Pregnancy or intention to become pregnant during the two year study
Ongoing psychiatric illness
Evidence of alcohol and/or drug abuse
Inability to complete the questionnaires
Inability to walk independently
Other indications than degenerative spinal disorders including a metabolic bone disease, osteoporosis, infection, old fracture, inflammatory process, or neoplasm
Obvious painful and disabling arthritic hip joints