Early Clinical Results of Intervertebral Joint Stabilization by Injectable Load-Sharing Polymers

BACKGROUND: Genipin is a polymer-forming collagen bonding substance that can be dissolved in a buffered carrier and injected into disc annulus tissues. Therapeutic benefit is derived from the mechanical support provided by a large number of genipin polymers attached to collagen fibers in a degraded disc. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: IRB-approved prospective, multi-site, single-arm, 12-month feasibility studies were undertaken in two countries to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the genipin-based implant for treating discogenic chronic low back pain (CLBP). PATIENT SAMPLE: Twenty CLBP patients with symptomatic discs at one or two levels were enrolled in the study. OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary safety endpoint was serious adverse events at 1 month, and the primary efficacy endpoint was reduction of pain and disability at 3 months. Secondary efficacy endpoints included reduction of pain and disability at 2 weeks, 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months; reduction of flexion–extension instability; increase in segmental lordosis and rotation; and patient satisfaction. METHODS: Fluoroscopic image-guidance was used to deliver two posterolateral injections of buffered genipin to each symptomatic disc. Flexion–extension radiographs were used to quantify joint kinematics at three time-points. RESULTS: Clinically meaningful improvements in pain and disability scores were reported in 80% or more of patients from 2 weeks to 1 year post-treatment. For the more severely unstable joints, treatment significantly reduced the instability score from a pre-treatment level of 2.4 standard deviations above the mean for an asymptomatic population to the asymptomatic mean at the 3-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: These initial clinical data demonstrate the safety and efficacy of a genipin-based collagen tethering device capable of improving spinal joint stability while successfully addressing CLBP. This work merits additional randomized clinical studies.