Facet joint pain can be caused by trauma or degenerative changes resulting in structural misalignment and instability of the vertebral column. This document addresses surgically implanted allografts as a stand alone procedure to treat facet joint pain.

Note: Please see the following related document(s) for additional information:

• SURG.00066 Percutaneous Facet Neurolysis for Chronic Back Pain

Investigational and Not Medically Necessary:

Allograft facet implants are considered investigational and not medically necessary for all indications.

Facet joint pain is treated initially with conservative measures such as medication, immobilization of the affected spinal area and physical therapy. When conservative therapy fails, intermittent anesthetic injections or neurolytic techniques can be used to alleviate pain. Surgical fusion is reserved for those individuals for whom less invasive treatments have failed.

Use of facet allografts as a stand alone procedure for facet pain has been proposed for symptomatic pain relief and possibly long-term fusion. This technique involves a minimally invasive procedure with fluoroscopic guidance. The affected facet surfaces are prepped for placement of an allograft dowel with instrumentation for expansion and stabilization of the facet joint space.  

The allograft is made from bone obtained from both the femur and tibia. The allograft is processed by licensed tissue banks which are required to be fully compliant with all Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements for tissue processing in the United States. Therefore, the allografts are not subject to FDA 510k clearance and can be marketed.

Although the allografts have been implanted in many individuals, no clinical trials were conducted. Without well designed clinical trials, it is not possible to assess this technology for clinical efficacy and safety.

Spinal fusion remains the gold standard for treatment of refractory back pain. However, this procedure is difficult and requires extended recovery time. Newer techniques are being developed using surgical approaches and instrumentation that will result in pain relief and less recovery time. Areas of concern are instrumentation, implant performance and possible migration.

510k Clearance: The purpose of a 510(k) submission is to demonstrate that a device is "substantially equivalent" to a predicate device (one that has been cleared by the FDA or marketed before 1976). The 510(k) submitter compares and contrasts the subject and predicate devices, explaining why any differences between them should be acceptable. Human data are usually not required for a 510(k) submission; this decision is made at the discretion of the FDA. The FDA does not "approve" 510(k) submissions. It "clears" them.

Allograft: A graft of tissue obtained from a donor of the same species as, but with a different genetic make-up from, the recipient, as a tissue transplant between two humans. 

Facet Joints: Joints of the spine that connect the vertebrae and allow coordinated movement of the vertebral column.

Fluoroscopic Guidance: Use of radiologic imaging to assist in the placement of instrumentation for invasive diagnostic and surgical procedures.

Neurolytic: Substance or procedure that destroys nerves.

The following codes for treatments and procedures applicable to this document are included below for informational purposes.  Inclusion or exclusion of a procedure, diagnosis or device code(s) does not constitute or imply member coverage or provider reimbursement policy.  Please refer to the member's contract benefits in effect at the time of service to determine coverage or non-coverage of these services as it applies to an individual member.

When services are Investigational and Not Medically Necessary:

Peer Reviewed Publications: 

1. Chou R, Baisden J, Carragee EJ, et al. Surgery for low back pain: a review of the evidence for an American Pain Society Clinical Practice Guideline. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2009; 34(10):1094-1109.
2. Harris EB, Massey P, Lawrence J, et al. Percutaneous techniques for minimally invasive posterior lumbar fusion. Neurosurg Focus. 2008; 25(2):E12. 

Government Agency, Medical Society, and Other Authoritative Publications: 

1. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Overview of Device Regulation. Available at:  http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/DeviceRegulationandGuidance/Overview/default.htm#510k. Accessed on September 25, 2011.

NuFix™
TruFUSE^® Allograft 

The use of specific product names is illustrative only.  It is not intended to be a recommendation of one product over another, and is not intended to represent a complete listing of all products available.