XL TDR

What Is Degenerative Disc Disease?

As humans age, one or more of the shock-absorbing, flexible discs between the vertebrae in the lower back begin to deteriorate. Small cracks or tears may form that can lead to disc bulge or rupture. The discs may also lose fluid, resulting in a smaller space between vertebrae. These conditions are referred to as degenerative disc disease (DDD) and may cause an individual pain, numbness, or difficulty walking, reaching, bending over, or twisting.

Current Treatments

Many people who suffer from this condition rely on medication, chiropractic care, and/or physical therapy to relieve the pain. However, in some instances, non-surgical care alone is inadequate due to the condition’s severity, possibly resulting in permanent impairment. In other instances, non-surgical care alone may not relieve the painful symptoms of degenerative disc disease.

When non-surgical treatment either ceases to provide relief for the patient or is not indicated, surgery may be considered. The most common current surgical option for lumbar DDD is spinal fusion. In this procedure, the degenerative disc is removed. Because this "cushion" is no longer present, the affected vertebrae are literally "fused" together so that motion can no longer occur. The degenerative disc is typically replaced with a device which restores the height lost by the degenerative disc. This device also facilitates a fusion between the two vertebrae, eliminating motion between those vertebrae. The elimination of the diseased disc and the restoration of height are intended to relieve the pain.

XL TDR^® Is an Investigational Device That May Be Right for You.

NuVasive^® has developed a minimally disruptive surgical device called XL TDR for the treatment of DDD. Participants are now being enrolled in a clinical research study for this total disc replacement device. The study is intended to evaluate the device's safety and effectiveness.

What Is XL TDR?

XL-TDR Device

XL TDR is a metallic prosthetic joint, or total disc replacement, that replaces a degenerative intervertebral disc. Like fusion, total disc replacement is designed to supplant the primary function of the disc – to maintain vertebral spacing to protect the nerves and spinal cord. Unlike fusion, though, total disc replacement seeks to maintain one of the secondary functions of the disc – providing motion in the spine. Once implanted between the vertebrae, XL TDR is designed to relieve pain and restore height while replicating the motion characteristics of an intact healthy disc.

Where Is the XL TDR Clinical Research Study Being Conducted?

There are clinical research study sites located nationwide. Read more about this clinical research study at www.clinicaltrials.gov. This multi-center clinical research study is a prospective, controlled trial designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of XL TDR by comparing outcomes of patients with this device to outcomes of patients with traditional spinal fusion surgery.

Find a Study Site

Find a study location now.