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DIAMTM
DIAMTM stands for Device for Intervertebral Assisted Motion and is for the treatment of moderate low back pain secondary to degenerative disc disease.
The DIAMTM implant is in clinical use since 1997, and more than 190,000 have been successfully treated to date.

What is the clinical problem?

As discs lose their water content because of disease or age, they lose their height, bringing the vertebrae closer together. As a result, the nerve openings in your spine become narrow and the discs don’t absorb the shocks as well. Wear and tear, poor posture and incorrect body movements can also weaken the disc, causing degeneration. Disc degeneration not only causes back pain but may also cause functional problems such as tingling or numbness in your legs or buttocks, or difficulty walking.
How does DIAM™ work?
DIAMTM is a uniquely shaped silicone implant with a woven polyester jacket that is designed to be inserted between adjacent spinous processes in the lumbar spine. Polyester tethers with titanium crimps secure the device in place.
Features:
- Reduces stress on the affected disc
- Reduces load on the facet joints
- Maintains foraminal height
- Preserves the supraspinous ligament
- Retains mobility and function

Ideal indications
The DIAMTM Spinal Stabilization System is indicated for skeletally mature patients with moderate lower back pain (with or without radicular pain) with current episode lasting less than one year in duration secondary to lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD) at a single symptomatic level from L2 – L5.
DDD is confirmed radiologically with one or more of the following factors:
- Patients must have greater than 2mm of decreased disc height compared to the adjacent level
- Scarring/thickening of the ligamentum flavum, annulus fibrosus, or facet joint capsule
- Herniated nucleus pulposus
What are the benefits?
- DIAMTM is load-sharing: Allows for segmental height restoration, reducing painful loading conditions at the disc and facet joint level.
- DIAMTM is tissue-sparing: Implantation via lateral approach allowing to preserve the supraspinous ligament.
- DIAMTM maintains mobility and function: Discal and ligamentous tension can be re-established without fusion.
Surgical Technique
Further Information
Literature
Boody BS, Schmucker JD, Sasso W, Miller JW, Snowdon R, Sasso RC.
Evaluation of DIAM™ Spinal Stabilization System for lower lumbar disc degenerative disease: A randomized, prospective, single-site study. J Orthop 2020; 21:171-177.
Buric J, Pulidori M.
Long-term reduction in pain and disability after surgery with the interspinous device for intervertebral assisted motion (DIAM™) spinal stabilization system in patients with low back pain: 4-year follow-up from a longitudinal prospective case series. Eur Spine J 2011;20(8):1304-1311.
Cho YJ, Park JB, Chang DG, Kim HJ.
15-year survivorship analysis of an interspinous device in surgery for single-level lumbar disc herniation. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2021;22:1030-1040.
Fabrizi AP, Maina R, Schiabello L.
Interspinous spacers in the treatment of degenerative lumbar spinal disease: our experience with DIAM™ and Aperius devices. Eur Spine J 2011;20(Suppl 1):S20–S26 Suppl 1.
Hrabálek L, Machác J, Vaverka M.
The DIAM™ spinal stabilisation system to treat degenerative disease of the lumbosacral spine. Acta Chir Orthop Traumatol Cech. 2009;76(5):417-423.
Li CY, Chen MY, Chang CN, Yan JL.
Three-Dimensional Volumetric Changes and Clinical Outcomes after Decompression with DIAM™ Implantation in Patients with Degenerative Lumbar Spine