CURRENT STUDIES: Abbott Spine, a division of Abbott global health care company in Austin, Texas, is sponsoring The Wallis Clinical study. The study is currently enrolling patients between ages 18 and 60 who are skeletally mature. They must have mild to moderate single level DDD at the L4-L5 discs and have been unsuccessful for six moths using conservative treatments. The objective of the study is to prove that the Wallis system is just as good, if not better, than current treatments for DDD. Participants will be randomly divided into two groups. One group will receive the Wallis Device, and the other group will receive an artificial disc. The study will be conducted at approximately 20 medical centers across the United States.
WORSE FOR SOME THAN OTHERS: DDD is very common. By age 50, 85 percent of Americans will show signs of disc degeneration. Currently, about 65 million Americans suffer from back pain of some kind. Some people who have DDD show no symptoms and experience no pain. For others, pain becomes so debilitating; activities like walking become a challenge. Although it's not clear why some cases are painful and others are not, the pain is thought to be associated with the nerve areas that affected discs are putting pressure on.
TRADITIONAL TREATMENTS: Oftentimes, DDD can be treated non-surgically. Physical therapy and anti-inflammatory drugs are commonly prescribed for patients who have lower back pain caused by DDD. If less-invasive treatments are unsuccessful, there are several surgical options that are currently available. Symptoms that indicate a DDD patient may need surgical treatment include: severe leg pain, difficulty standing or walking, and leg weakness and/or numbness.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Jose Naveira
Clinical Project Leader
Abbott Spine
(512) 533-1097