Dynamic lumbar stabilization with the Wallis interspinous implant

Abstract

The primary goal of the Wallis system is to relieve or prevent low back pain that accompanies intervertebral segment (IVS) instability by increasing stiffness of the mobile segment, and unloading the disc and facet joints. Furthermore, restoring a more physiological biomechanical environment to the degenerate lumbar segment with the Wallis implant may foster healing of the disc and slow the degenerative cascade of adjacent segments. The implant, consisting of an interspinous process spacer that limits extension and two flexion-limiting bands, is intended to improve the stability of the treated intervertebral lumbar segment while preserving its mobility and local lordosis. Because the operation leaves all the anatomical elements intact except for the interspinous ligament, the entire range of other surgical options remains open, including more invasive surgical solutions such as total disc replacement or fusion. Most often associated with decompressive procedures, i.e., discectomy, undercutting to enlarge the spinal canal, or both, intervertebral stabilization using the Wallis implant takes less than 15 minutes. This stabilizing procedure is detailed in the present paper.