Use of Radiostereometric Analysis Beads (RSA) to Measure Motion in the Spine, Following Lumbar Spinal Surgery

State University of New York - Upstate Medical University

Status

Completed

Conditions

Spinal Fusion

Lumbar Discectomy

Treatments

Procedure: Radiostereometric Analysis beads inserted during surgery

Study type

Observational

Funder types

Other

Industry

Identifiers

NCT00152152

SUNY UMU IRB# 4715

Details and patient eligibility

About

Radiostereometric Analysis (RSA) is a new imaging technique used to measure motions in the spine. It provides more accurate measurements that could help in diagnosing problems in the spine earlier than standard xray techniques.

Full description

Assessment of segmental spinal motion has been and continues to be a difficult clinical problem. X-ray measurement error of up to 10 degrees for simple measurements for flexion, extension and side bending have been recorded. It is extremely difficult to measure small changes in vertebral alignment that may prove to have clinical significance. The measurement accuracy of the RSA technique far exceeds any manual techniques to date. RSA allows the surgeon to monitor spatial relationships within the spine over time with a much higher accuracy then conventional techniques.

This is a non-randomized prospective study design looking at the use of RSA in spinal surgery patients. Subjects in this study will undergo their indicated surgery. Prior to closure, they will be implanted with tantalum beads, which will serve as landmarks when the RSA film pairs are taken post-operatively. The subjects will have standard post-operative x-rays 6 weeks-3 months post-op and again at 12 months post-op. Yearly visits after this are anticipated for 5-10 years with proper funding.

Enrollment

75 estimated patients

Sex

All

Ages

18+ years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria