An illustration of the total posterior spine (TOPS™) system. Image © Premia Spine
In a recent study published in The Spine Journal and coauthored by Dr. J. Patrick Johnson. M.D., Dr. Johnson contributed to research exploring the use of the Total Posterior Spine (TOPS™) System for treating degenerative spondylolisthesis and stenosis. The updated analysis builds on previous findings, showing that the total posterior spine (TOPS™) system outperforms transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) both immediately and over time. This study investigates the potential of lumbar facet arthroplasty as an alternative to traditional spinal fusion surgery, focusing on the TOPS™ System’s effectiveness and cost-efficiency in spinal stabilization.
The research involved a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial with 305 subjects, comparing the clinical outcomes, safety, and cost-effectiveness of the TOPS™ System with transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) over a two-year period. Dr. Johnson’s role in the study highlights his commitment to exploring new technologies and methods in spine surgery to enhance patient outcomes. He has been involved in various aspects of the study, helping to provide insights into how the TOPS™ System could offer benefits in terms of patient mobility and quality of life, potentially at a lower cost than more invasive procedures. For more details on the study’s findings, the full article is available on the NASS Spine Journal’s website.
J. Patrick Johnson, MD is a renowned neurosurgeon specializing in spinal disorders and has served as the Director of the Institute for Spinal Disorders at Cedars Sinai Medical Center since 2001 and previously as the Director of the UCLA Comprehensive Spine Center from 1993-2001
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