Your lower back works hard every time you bend, lift, or even shift your weight from one side to the other. When one segment stops moving the way it should, you may begin noticing persistent aching or nerve irritation.
At Advanced Pain Management Center in Portland, Oregon, Vladimir Fiks, MD, reviews your imaging with you and explains how the FDA-cleared StabiLink® implant supports spinal fusion through a small incision when your anatomy and condition allow for it.
When the structures that normally stabilize your spine start to wear down or shift, you may feel pain, weakness, or trouble standing or walking for long periods. Some of the most common reasons this happens include:
StabiLink supports the fusion rather than replacing it. The implant anchors to the spinous processes — the small bony bumps you can feel down the center of your back — to steady one spinal level during the healing process.
Traditional fusion relies on deeper screw placement, which often requires a wider opening and more soft-tissue disruption. StabiLink works differently. The implant sits between the spinous processes, away from the spinal canal and nerves, providing Dr. Fiks with a way to support one spinal level through a 2-4 cm incision.
The system uses a precision-guided inserter that allows him to place and compress the implant without switching between multiple instruments, which helps keep the approach small and efficient.
Once the implant is seated, it creates a contained space where he can place a bone graft to support the fusion. The low-profile design also leaves room for Dr. Fiks to access nearby structures if other parts of your spine need attention during the procedure.
You’re under general anesthesia while this is done. After confirming the exact spinal level on your imaging, Dr. Fiks reaches the spinous processes through a short midline opening and prepares the bone for placement.
He then positions the implant between the two bony points and secures it in a way that limits motion in several directions, including bending, twisting, and forward-backward movement. After he locks the device in place, he closes the incision in layers and covers it with a small dressing.
Because the incision is small and the approach limits wide muscle disruption, most people find the soreness manageable. The rest of your recovery depends on your overall health, whether decompression was also performed, and how your body responds in the first few weeks after surgery.
If you’ve been weighing your options, you don’t have to make the decision alone. StabiLink is one of several tools available for supporting a spinal level during fusion, and the best choice comes down to your anatomy, symptoms, and goals.
To learn which approach fits your condition, call Advanced Pain Management Center in Portland or schedule a consultation online. Dr. Fiks can review your imaging with you and help you understand the path forward.
