[ NEWS - FEATURE ] plus Karma provides an ideal solution as it adds a great deal of stabilization , leverages cortical bone , spares tissues , and allows for proper decompression . Karma bridges the gulf between those who do fine with a laminectomy and those who need a fusion that is a less burdensome operative experience .”
“ Third , most patients recoil from the thought of a big surgery where they are left with cumbersome screws and rods for the rest of their lives . When patients know there is an alternative , they ask for Karma .”
The Data and Patient Outcomes
“ In my experience ,” states Dr . Nunley , “ Karma is perfect for patients who have up to a grade 2 spondylolisthesis and are not terribly unstable — so a decompression plus Karma is typically in order . Equally , individuals without spondylolisthesis , but with severe stenosis also benefit from this implant .”
“ Surgeons are torn between doing a decompression and hoping they won ’ t have to do a fusion versus jumping straight to fusion … Karma takes that issue off the table .”
Dr . Crowder has had success treating a range of patients using Karma . “ Those with severe leg pain ( neurogenic claudication or radiculopathy ) and degenerative spondylolisthesis are ideal for this device . It ’ s fantastic that you can do this surgery on an outpatient basis , meaning less blood loss , a smaller incision , and patients can leave the same day . Because this is a less disruptive procedure overall , even some patients with challenging pathologies can have a laminectomy with Karma . In our efforts to ‘ do no harm ,’ we should consider not putting an older person through a larger-thannecessary surgery .”
Karma ’ s proprietary curved drill provides circumferential cortical fixation through the lamina , pedicle , and facets . In a recent study , researchers found that among 35 curved holes done with Spinal Elements ’ drill , there were no breaches of the anterior cortex . In the finite element analysis study , the Karma provided comparable clinical stability and reduced anterior stress shielding compared to the conventional screw-rod construct . [ ix ]
Dr . Nunley : “ Karma ’ s sophistication is based on a ‘ perfect storm ’ of attributes : it has a small footprint , the incision is small , it uses cortical bone , requires one tray , is radiolucent and involves a patented curvilinear drill that takes a deep dive into the pedicle .”
And this perfect storm of attributes is needed for the perfect storm of aging spines .
Each year in the U . S ., osteoporosis leads to roughly 2 million fractures , including 550,000 vertebral fractures .
[ x ]
Grade 1 spondylolisthesis accounts for 75 % of all cases . [ xi ] As for lumbar spinal stenosis , it is the most significant cause of spinal surgery in patients over 65 years of age . [ xii ]
“ Karma is not just another iteration of a procedure or device ,” concludes Dr . Nunley . “ This is innovation in the true sense of the word — it is disruptive and improves the lives of our patients .”
Old spines need new ideas … fortunately , the sages at Spinal Elements have generated good Karma . ♦
References :
[ i ] https :// www . bonehealthandosteoporosis . org / wp-content / uploads / Osteoporosis-Fast-Facts-2 . pdf [ ii ] https :// pubmed . ncbi . nlm . nih . gov / 31894472 / [ iii ] https :// pubmed . ncbi . nlm . nih . gov / 25616349 / [ iv ] https :// pubmed . ncbi . nlm . nih . gov / 26815440 / [ v ] https :// www . ncbi . nlm . nih . gov / books / NBK539777 / [ vi ] https :// pubmed . ncbi . nlm . nih . gov / 37273833 / [ vii ] https :// www . sciencedirect . com / science / article / pii / S1878875023002693 [ viii ] https :// link . springer . com / article / 10.1007 / s00586-022-07187-x [ ix ] https :// www . sciencedirect . com / science / article / pii / S1878875023002693 [ x ] https :// www . uptodate . com / contents / bone-density-testing-beyond-the-basics / print [ xi ] https :// www . ncbi . nlm . nih . gov / books / NBK430767 / [ xii ] https :// www . ncbi . nlm . nih . gov / books / NBK531493 /
53 - RYORTHO . COM