Casey Davidson, MD, of the Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee in Franklin, performed the state’s first case using Intrinsic Therapeutics’ new 6mm Barricaid narrow anchor, according to a March 5 LinkedIn post.
The new version of the narrow anchor is 25% smaller than the standard version, making implantation easier by reducing bony removal and nerve root retraction. Intrinsic Therapeutics announced the new device on March 4.
“The improved visibility and reduced neural retraction provided by the slimmed-down system is a game changer,” Dr. Davidson said in the post. “Previously I would have to leave some large annular defects unclosed if I couldn’t reach them. Today, I was able to implant Narrow Anchor in a patient I previously would have walked away from because I couldn’t mobilize her nerve root very well. The Narrow Anchor enabled me to work around the root for a successful annular closure. Now her risk of reoperation due to reherniation is reduced by over 80% because of this improvement.”
