Guidance
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued full guidance to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on Interspinous distraction procedures for lumbar spinal stenosis causing neurogenic claudication.
It replaces the previous guidance on interspinous distraction procedures for spinal stenosis causing neurogenic claudication in the lumbar spine (NICE interventional procedures guidance 165, March 2006).
Description
Lumbar spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower part of the back. This causes discomfort in the legs when standing or walking because of pressure on the spinal nerves. This procedure involves implanting a device into the space between two back bones to relieve pressure on the nerves and, therefore, pain in the legs.
Coding and clinical classification codes for this guidance.