Journal of Spine

Current Status of Interspinous Posterior Devices in USA and Italy: Finally the Pandora's Vase has been Uncovered

Abstract

Alessandro Landi, Fabrizio Gregori, Biagia la Pira, Angela Ambrosone and Roberto Delfini

Interspinous Posterior Devices (IPDs) are spinal implantable devices used to treat lumbar degenerative diseases, with lumbar stenosis as the main indication. They are defined as devices for dynamic stabilization, because their aim is to perform a decompression of the spinal canal in case of stenosis, while preserving biomechanical properties of the spinal metamere. Lumbar stenosis is considered as the last phase of the degenerative cascade, the process of degeneration of spinal motor unit described by Kirkaldy-Willis, which identified as primary cause the hypermobility of the vertebras.