Interspinous Distraction, more commonly known as X-Stop, is a Minimally Invasive procedure used to relieve symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis. This procedure uses a flexible X shaped implant to reduce the pain from spinal stenosis.

The implant is placed between one or more of the bony protrusions of the spine, known as “spinous processes”, and allows patients to maintain range of motion but not hyperextend the spine. This hyperextension is often what causes the pain and sciatica related to lumbar spinal stenosis. This implant does not require the attachment of plates or screws and can remain safely in place indefinitely.

This procedure requires an incision of about 3-4 cm and is performed on an outpatient basis. Our Minimally Invasive Approach avoids unnecessary muscle dissection and damage to the surrounding areas and utilizes fluoroscopic guidance to ensure accuracy. With this Minimally Invasive Approach, patients are able to return to their active routines much faster than with traditional spine surgery.

At the New Jersey Spine Institute, all of our procedures are performed by a team of two Board Certified Orthopedic Spine Surgeons to maximize relief and minimize your recovery time.