Implantable System Treats Cause of Chronic Back Pain

An innovative implantable neurostimulation system helps treat disabling chronic low back pain (CLBP) via a handheld wireless remote control.

The ReActiv8 is a small implantable neurostimulation system, which excites the nerves responsible for contracting the key muscles that stabilize the lower back. The device is indicated as an adjunct to medical management of CLBP, and for pain relief in adults who have attempted at least on pervious medical management intervention and physical therapy. During the patient-controlled treatment sessions, ReActiv8 stimulation causes repetitive contractions of the key stabilizing muscles, support recovery from CLBP and its related symptoms.


In similar to other exercise programs used to restore muscle control, ReActiv8 is applied twice a day in 30-minute sessions; over time, the stimulated contractions can help the brain and body learn how to restore muscle control and spine stabilization. The ReActiv8 is a product of Mainstay Medical (Dublin, Ireland), and has received the European Community CE mark of approval.

“ReActiv8 is an innovative use of neurostimulation for the treatment of chronic low back pain and the clinical data from the ReActiv8-A trial are compelling,” said neurosurgeon and neurostimulation expert Stefan Schu, MD, of Sana Hospital (Duisburg, Germany). “Neurosurgeons in Germany have a track record of embracing important innovations, and we are looking forward to offering ReActiv8 to patients who until now were facing the prospect of disabling chronic low back pain for the rest of their lives.”

“We see several new chronic low back pain patients every week who are not indicated for surgery, and who meet the indications for ReActiv8,” said Robert Pflugmacher, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at University Hospital Bonn (Germany). “Rather than sending them home untreated, we now have an exciting new option we can offer them. As orthopedic surgeons, ReActiv8 meets our objective of addressing the underlying functional causes of chronic low back pain, and the straightforward implant procedure utilizes skills and techniques familiar to us.”

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Mainstay Medical