Northside Hospital has introduced a new spinal fusion implant, OptiMesh Align from Spineology, for patients with chronic back pain. Dr. Matthew Hazzard, a neurosurgeon at Northside Hospital Gwinnett, performed the first procedure using this device within the Northside system on July 25.
The OptiMesh Align implant is designed to help patients recover more quickly and experience less pain after surgery compared to traditional spinal fusion methods. The device expands inside the body to match each patient’s anatomy, aiming to restore spinal alignment and stability while reducing surgical trauma.
Unlike older techniques that require larger incisions and longer recovery times, this minimally invasive solution uses Conform and Expand mesh technology. This allows surgeons to create a customized shape for up to 20 degrees of correction in spinal alignment. The biologics-based expansion method also aims to lower stress on the spine compared to mechanical implants.
Dr. Hazzard said, “Spineology’s OptiMesh Align represents a significant advancement in spinal fusion technology through its patient-specific design and minimally invasive approach.” He added, “I particularly like the graft containment, dispersion of force across a broad surface area, and the ability to customize the fill to fit the needs of each individual segment.”
He also noted that the device’s small insertion profile helps minimize tissue disruption and supports faster recovery when compared with traditional procedures.
Clinical trial data from Spineology shows that 92% of patients reported “excellent” or “good” satisfaction at six months following surgery; 91.7% maintained satisfaction at 24 months; there was a 67% reduction in back pain at three months; and a 99% fusion success rate was achieved at 24 months.
Northside Hospital plans to continue investing in advanced technologies focused on improving outcomes and recovery for spine care patients.
