DENTON, Texas (BusinessWire EON) September 13, 2007 --William D. Bradley M.D.,a board-certified orthopedic surgeon at TexasBack Institute, is the first physician in Texas to implant the StabilimaxNZ® Dynamic Spine Stabilization System aspart of a randomized, controlled, national research study.

The research study is comparing posterior dynamic stabilization inpatients using the Stabilimax NZ device to patients receivingtraditional fusion surgery to treat their LumbarSpinal Stenosis, a common lower-back disorder where deterioration ofthe joints and discs leads to increased pressure on the spinal nerves.Dr. Bradley’s first patient was 74-year-oldmaintenance engineer Vernon Bittmann of Wichita Falls, Tex.

“My job demands that I stand and walk all daylong to take care of four floors of an industrial building,”says Vernon. “About a year or so ago I startedhurting so bad in my lower back that I couldn’twalk without the assistance of a cane. The pain was awful, and alwaysthere. Originally the pain went down my right leg, and then after awhile it switched and went down my left leg. Then the pain got so bad inmy left leg that I couldn’t use it, and themuscles began to waste away. I used the cane and just started draggin’my left leg. To get in my car, I had to reach down and actually pick upmy left leg and put it in the car. But I have to work, even at myage, so I just tried to endure the pain and keep on goin’as best I could.”

Inevitably, Vernon went to see his primary care physician, who referredhim to the Texas Back Institute in Denton, where he met Dr. WilliamBradley, who determined that Vernon’scondition made him eligible to participate in a clinical study of theexperimental spinal implant, Stabilimax NZ.

“I had the Stabilimax procedure on June the 8th,”recalls Vernon. “Considerin’how tough things used to be for me, it’s hardto believe that I’m absolutely fine now. Ihave aches instead of teeth-gritting pain. I do my exercises with aphysical therapist, especially to build up my muscles in the leg thatwas wasting away on me. I’m physically fitand I don’t need a cane anymore. Anybody whohas low back pain or leg pain, I strongly recommend them to ask aboutthe Stabilimax study. As far as I’mconcerned, it’s been a miracle for me. AndDr. Bradley walks on water in my eyes.”

"This new Stabilimax NZ procedure has the potential to reduce pain andsuffering for the thousands of seniors like Vernon who suffer from thiscommon spinal condition, Lumbar Spinal Stenosis," says Dr. Bradley.

LumbarSpinal Stenosis is the most common indication for surgery in personsaged over 60 in the United States. It is estimated that as many as400,000 Americans, most over the age of 60, may already be sufferingfrom the symptoms of LSS [source: AmericanAssociation of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and Congress of NeurologicalSurgeons (CNS)], and this number is expectedto grow over the next decade.

For further information, please visit www.appliedspine.com.

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