Patients now have a new treatment option for debilitating lower back and leg pain with the TOPS™ device. This innovative solution serves as an alternative to spinal fusion surgery for individuals suffering from moderate to severe lumbar spinal stenosis, degenerative spondylolisthesis, and related spinal conditions. The TOPS Posterior Arthroplasty System is designed to address two crucial spinal functions: maintaining stability and preserving motion. During a Posterior Arthroplasty procedure, your surgeon removes the bony elements that are compressing your nerves. Following this, the TOPS System is implanted to stabilize the spine and restore a controlled range of motion in the lumbar region. Patients experiencing symptoms such as lower back pain, sciatica, numbness, tingling, burning sensations, and/or radiating leg pain during walking (spinal claudication) often regain their ability to bend, flex, walk, and enjoy normal daily activities that were previously hindered by their condition. Dr. Frenkel is one of the only surgeons certified in performing this procedure in Southwest Florida.
What is TOPS?
The TOPS™ System is a mechanical implant device that replaces the bony and soft tissues removed during spinal decompression surgery. This type of surgery is typically performed to treat lumbar spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal), spondylolisthesis (slipped disc), and facet joint arthrosis/cysts. The TOPS System is specifically designed for use at a single spinal level between L2 and L5, which are the segments most commonly affected by spinal stenosis.
The TOPS™ System allows for motion in all directions—flexion, extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation—while also blocking shear forces that naturally impact the lower spine. This is particularly beneficial for patients with conditions such as a slipped disc or spondylolisthesis, where these forces can be harmful. Such outcomes cannot be achieved with a decompression-only procedure or with intraspinous or intralaminar devices. Clinically proven to provide immediate and long-lasting pain relief as well as an improved quality of life, Premia Spine’s TOPS™ System has consistently delivered excellent results for suitable patients.
TOPS Benefits
The TOPS System offers three key benefits in treating spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and other facet joint disorders. First, it stabilizes the lumbar spine while reestablishing a controlled range of motion. Second, it enables patients to regain their ability to bend, flex, walk, and engage in everyday activities. Third, and most importantly, it provides immediate and sustained pain relief. Clinical studies conducted since 2005 have demonstrated that the TOPS System effectively alleviates persistent leg and lower back pain in patients with moderate to severe spinal stenosis, with or without spondylolisthesis (a slipped disc), and facet arthrosis (bone spurs). If you are experiencing symptoms of spinal stenosis, consult Dr. Frenkel to explore all your treatment options and determine if the TOPS System is the right solution for you.
You can also learn more about the TOPS System from their manufacturer, Premia Spine
