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Dr. Barton Sachs of Texas Back Institute performed the TFAS procedure onRon Kaipus in September 2006. The Richardson, Texas resident was one of thefirst 40 people worldwide to receive TFAS. He is now back on the golf courseand enjoying his life to the fullest. At age 67, he doesn't miss a beat and isgrateful for being virtually pain-free. "I'm back to my old self," saidKaipus. "It truly gave me my life back. I'm so thankful I was able to be apart of the trial."
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TFAS is a spinal implant intended for the treatment of patients withchronic leg and/or back pain caused by spinal stenosis. It's part of acategory of treatment devices intended to stabilize affected spinal jointswhile preserving the natural motion of the spine.
"It's a great device because it frees up the nerves and spinal cord,eliminates the excess bone growth and maintains natural motion," said Dr.Sachs. "Patients are recovering quickly and we've seen excellent results sofar. We're excited about the future of the trial."
There are openings within the clinical trial and Dr. Sachs explained thatpatients affected with spinal stenosis or spondylolisthesis should investigatethis unique opportunity with Texas Back Institute.
Texas Back Institute is no stranger to motion preservation spinaltechnology. It pioneered the artificial disc replacement procedure in 2000 andis furthering the practice by helping with the FDA trial of TFAS and otherclinical trials.
About TFAS
TFAS(R) is used to treat spinal stenosis, which is the degenerativenarrowing of the spaces in the spine that can lead to spinal cord or nerveroot compression and causes the pain. The device has the potential tostabilize the affected vertebrae without rigidly fusing the joint or removingthe intervertebral disc, allowing the patient to maintain a quality of motionsimilar to the patient's natural range of motion before stenosis. The TFASsurgical procedure includes removal of the degenerative bone and/or tissuethat compresses the spinal cord and nerve roots that are causing lower backand leg pain. Specifically, TFAS replaces the degenerated facet joints with animplant that is affixed to the affected vertebrae and designed to restore thenatural motion of the surgically removed facet joints and spinal ligaments.
About Texas Back Institute
Texas Back Institute, one of the largest freestanding spine multispecialtyclinics in the United States, was established in 1978 and providescomprehensive medical care for back and neck pain. Texas Back Institute is aback care leader specializing in spinal arthroplasty, minimally invasive spinesurgery, spinal deformation and spinal oncology care. As an academic healthcare organization, Texas Back Institute has trained hundreds of physicians,scientists and allied health professionals. Its research institution employsstate-of-the-art technology and is involved in the most clinical trials,including artificial discs. Texas Back Institute's professional staff includesboard-certified spine surgeons, general surgeons, internists, chiropractors,physiatrists, pain specialists, exercise physiologists, and a team of physicaland occupational therapists. Texas Back Institute's main clinic is in Plano,with locations in Denton, Fort Worth, Greenville, McKinney, Rockwall, TrophyClub and Wichita Falls, Texas, and Phoenix, Arizona. For more information,visit http://www.texasback.com.
SOURCE Texas Back Institute
