Biomechanics of the Spine: How the TOPS Device Preserves Mobility
The spine is a critical part of human anatomy, housing the nerves, supporting the skeletal frame, and enabling movement and mobility. Consequently, spinal problems and back pain severely impact your quality of life.
St. Charles Spine Institute in Thousand Oaks, California, provides advanced medical solutions for spinal problems. We know how important spinal health is to living independently and enjoying an active life, and we continuously research and adopt innovative medical technologies that show promise in helping our patients to live pain-free and enjoy a rich, full life.
One innovation we offer our patients is the TOPS (Total Posterior Spine) System procedure. When you understand the spine’s biomechanics, you can readily appreciate how revolutionary the TOPS system is for preserving mobility and alleviating pain.
The Biomechanics of the Spine
Your spine is a complex structure with many components, including vertebrae, intervertebral discs, ligaments, and muscles, that all work harmoniously to provide support, flexibility, and protection of the nerves in your spinal cord. This intricate system enables you to perform a wide range of movements, including:
- Flexion and Extension: Bending forward and backward.
- Lateral Bending: Tilting side to side.
- Axial Rotation: Twisting movements.
Each segment of the spine contributes to the ability to perform these motions while maintaining stability and balance. Nearly every movement of our bodies depends on our spines functioning correctly and without pain. The lumbar region, in particular, bears significant loads and permits substantial movement. Unfortunately, this load-bearing function also makes the lumbar spine susceptible to degenerative conditions.
Degenerative Spinal Conditions and Their Impact
Degenerative conditions such as lumbar spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis can compromise the spine’s structural integrity, leading to nerve compression and pain. Traditional treatments usually involve spinal fusion. In spinal fusion, two or more adjacent vertebrae are fused together; this procedure stabilizes the affected area but necessarily eliminates motion at the fused segments. This solution alleviates pain but can lead to degeneration of adjacent segments of the spine as more pressure is put on them to support movement and flexibility.
Introducing the TOPS System
The TOPS System is an alternative to spinal fusion. Like fusion, it stabilizes the spine, but in a way that preserves natural spinal movement.
The TOPS System is a prosthetic device that mimics a natural vertebral joint. It is implanted by attaching it to the spine using pedicle screws. Its unique design supports the body’s weight and allows controlled motion between the device’s endplates. This configuration enables the maintenance of natural axial rotation, lateral bending, flexion, and extension. In other words, it replicates the spine’s natural biomechanics. This means that patients who undergo the TOPS System procedure can resume a natural level of mobility without pain and are less likely to suffer the adjacent segment degeneration that often follows from fusion procedures.
Several clinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of the TOPS System. For example, in a study cited by the US Food and Drug Administration, 115 patients who underwent the procedure had a 76.7% overall success rate as observed at the 24-month follow-up.
Discover Whether the TOPS System Procedure is Right for You
If you are experiencing symptoms related to lumbar spinal stenosis or degenerative spondylolisthesis, the TOPS System may be a viable option. A comprehensive evaluation by our specialists at St. Charles Spine Institute can determine if this treatment is suitable for treating your condition.
St. Charles Spine Institute is committed to utilizing the latest advancements in spinal care to enhance patient outcomes. Our experience with the TOPS system has demonstrated its effectiveness in providing our patients with optimal outcomes. If you’re seeking a solution for pain that preserves motion comparable to your spine’s natural biomechanics, contact St. Charles Spine Institute today to schedule a consultation. Let our team of specialists help you regain your mobility and restore your quality of life.