ST. PAUL, Minn., Jan. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Paul Hartleben, MD, performed the first artificial disc surgery in Minnesota today at St. Joseph’s Hospital, a member of the HealthEast Care System in St. Paul. While artificial replacements are commonly used in hips and knees, the CHARITE(TM) device is the first such device to receive FDA approval for spinal discs.
Surgeons on the HealthEast medical staff will offer this procedure at all three of HealthEast’s acute care hospitals: St. John’s Hospital in Maplewood, Woodwinds Health Campus in Woodbury, and St. Joseph’s Hospital in St. Paul.
About 65 million Americans suffer from low back pain every year, according to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS). Americans spend about $50 billion each year on low back pain, the most common cause of job- related disability and lost workdays. More than 12 million people are reported to have degenerative disc disease.
Many patients who suffer from back pain resist spinal fusion surgery, a common treatment for chronic low back pain caused by degenerative disc disease. Spinal fusion joins vertebrae together using bone grafts so that motion no longer occurs between them. While most patients report relief from pain after spinal fusion surgery, the surgery often robs them of flexibility and range of motion.
Instead of fusion, Dr. Hartleben will remove damaged disc and replaced it with the new CHARITE Artificial Disc, a high-tech device made of two metallic endplates and a movable high-density plastic center.
In clinical trials comparing artificial disc replacement to spinal fusion surgery, artificial disc patients maintained or improved their range of motion and experienced improvements in pain. There were no significant differences in complications. The CHARITE(TM) Artificial Disc was recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), making it the first artificial disc on the U.S. market.
Typically, two surgeons work together in the operation. A general surgeon approaches the spine through an incision in the abdomen and carefully moves blood vessels and internal organs out of the way to provide access to the spine. A spine surgeon then uses special tools to remove the damaged disc and creates a space between two vertebrae for the implantation of the artificial disc. The procedure generally takes about one to two hours.
HealthEast Care System offers a wide array of orthopedic and surgical services through its hospitals, clinics, and outpatient services.
HealthEast Care System
HealthEast Care System is a community-focused, non-profit health care system that provides a full spectrum of family health services. Hospitals include St. Joseph’s Hospital, St. John’s Hospital, Woodwinds Health Campus and Bethesda Rehabilitation Hospital. Other services include clinics, senior care centers, rehabilitation facilities, hospice, home care, outpatient surgery centers and a variety of other health facilities and programs. HealthEast has approximately 7,500 employees and has more than 1,300 physicians on staff.
Editors Note: B-roll, VNR, print visuals, and interviews with doctor areavailable.
HealthEast Care System
CONTACT: Ginger Buxa, HealthEast Public Relations,+1-651-326-3590, gabuxa@healtheast.org