GELFIX
IMPLANT SURGERY: THE SAFE ALTERNATIVE TO SPINAL FUSION IS NOW AVAILABLE THROUGH
DR. JUAN MANUEL DIPP, TOP ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON IN THE MEXICO / UNITED STATES
BORDER AREA
Proper movement and proper rest are one of the most important functions
the human body should always achieve. Sometimes due to age, an accident, hard
labor and/or other demanding activities and conditions a back ailment develops
and shows its symptoms.
Some symptoms may be relieved with therapy, other conditions require going
through surgery in order to bring the body -as much as possible- to its normal,
painless functions. Spinal Fusion surgery is usually the procedure to which the
vertebrae are subject to when tests such as x-rays, tomography and MRI confirm
sources of pain due to:
• Degenerative disk diseases
• Fractures
• Hernia
• Infections
• Scoliosis
• Spinal stenosis
• Spondylolisthesis
• Tumors
Spinal Fusion has been performed for many decades and there are
different approaches and techniques depending where incision(s) are performed.
However, this procedure -as many others- presents certain risks, some of these
risks are:
· Infection
· Bleeding
· Blood clots
· Nerve damage
· Pain at bone graft
site
· Pseudarthrosis
· Recurring
symptoms reappearing
But recent
developments in medical implants, material compounds as well as laboratory
research and testing have resulted in products such as GelFix pieces. The
placement procedure for GelFix implants can take place in Tijuana, Mexico, a
convenient location for both Mexican patients, American patients, Canadians and
from most other places in the world while receiving first-class medical
treatment and hospitality in a safe environment.
BRINGING
DOWN THE RISKS THROUGH GELFIX SURGERY
What GelFix
surgery will do for you
GelFix Surgery is a safer alternative for Spinal Fusion surgery,
implying scarcely any risks and a lower recurrence rate. It's still subject to
a long, proper follow-up process regarding the adaptation and stability of the
placed implant as well as the patient's body response to it. This procedure
consists in placing an intervertebral spacer placed carefully between the
patients' vertebrae (the small bones in the spinal cord) through a smaller
incision than the one required for a regular Spinal Fusion procedure (about
2.5cm long).
The piece
to be placed in the spinal cord
The GelFix implant is made of hydrogel polymer, which has the property
of being water-insoluble. It is a very important advantage that the implant
lists insolubility among its properties, since two thirds of the human body's
weight is water;
What the GelFix
Implant does
The GelFix intervertebral spacer is able to reduce back pain significantly
and also reduces muscular weakness. It absorbs water and other fluids in
significant quantities, since it's placed in a 'dehydrated' state. Once placed
properly, it takes 6 hours for it to expand.
Immediate
results, short term results and mid-term results
There is immediate relief and also well-being sensations once the
patient leaves the surgery room and anesthetics wear off. It usually takes 2 to
4 weeks to notice gradual results. And recent studies show plenty of cases with
100 percent improvement after 2 months.
GelFix
Surgical procedure's duration
The surgery in itself takes about 15 to 25 minutes per vertebrae level.
Add 20 minutes or so for anesthetics to take effect, leading to a 45 minute
surgical intervention for a single level. Up to three GelFix implants may be
placed in a patient's spinal cord.
Risks
derived from GelFix Implant Surgery or body rejection to the piece
In some rare cases, spinal surgery implies risks to the patient. Some
individuals fear becoming paralyzed or being severely injured in the back as a
result of surgery. But GelFix implants don't even come near any of these risks,
since the surgical incision is performed significantly far from the patient's
spinal cord in a postero-lateral position. So these risks are non-existent. The
implant consists of material which is highly bio-compatible with human tissue,
so there isn't any risk of piece rejection at all.
Anesthetics
for GelFix Implant Surgery
This procedure needs only regional anesthesia for proper placement of
the hydrogel implant. The area affected by medication will be from the surgery
area down to the patient's toes. This kind of anesthesia does not require the
patient having a breathing tube inserted through the nostrils, as he/she will
be breathing normally.
Recovering
from GelFix Implant
The GelFix Implant surgery does not require long stays at the hospital.
Technically, the patient is once again able to walk after the spinal block
surgery wears off. However, Dr. Dipp carefully chooses to give the patient a
day's rest following the intervention and allowing the nursing staff to cater
for them, especially for international patients who may be subject to a long
road trip when leaving Mexico as well as to ensure proper intake of post-op
medication
Follow-up
care for patients who have been placed a GelFix Implant
This part of post-surgery care is very important, almost as important as
surgery itself. During the first two years after the GelFix Implant Surgery,
patients will visit physician regularly to keep track of their progress.
Proper candidates
to receive a GelFix implant for health mprovement
Even though each case is diagnosed individually in order to find out the
best treatment for each patient, there are some conditions and symptoms that
candidates meet:
• Age between 20 to 75 years old with good health
• Any degenerative disc disease
• Disc disease producing leg weaknesses
• Hernia in intervertebral discs
• Radiculopathy
• Spinal stenosis
About
overweight individuals who wish to undergo/know about GelFix implants
As it is mentioned paragraphs above, every case is evaluated
meticulously before considering if undergoing the procedure will report the
same benefits that have been previously proven and if it is safe for a patient
with a certain degree of obesity to have the GelFix implants placed.
As it is mentioned paragraphs above, every case is evaluated meticulously before considering if undergoing the procedure will report the same benefits that have been previously proven and if it is safe for a patient with a certain degree of obesity to have the GelFix implants placed. Dental Implants
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