Coflex® Interlaminar Stabilization | Jonathan G. Hobbs, M.D.

What Is the Coflex Device?

Coflex is a small, U-shaped titanium implant used for interlaminar stabilization. When the spinal canal narrows — a condition called lumbar spinal stenosis — the nerves get squeezed, causing leg, buttock, or groin pain and trouble walking. The first part of surgery is a decompression to relieve that pressure. The question is then how to keep the segment stable.

Traditionally, that has meant a fusion, which permanently locks the bones together. Coflex offers a different path: after the decompression, the device is placed in the midline between the bones of the spine (the lamina), where it supports and stabilizes the segment while preserving its natural motion.

The coflex Interlaminar Technology received FDA Premarket Approval (PMA) in October 2012. The implant is made from a wrought titanium 6-aluminum 4-vanadium alloy and comes in a range of sizes to fit each patient.

See How Coflex Works

This short animation shows how the coflex device stabilizes the spine after decompression while preserving motion.

How the Procedure Works

Decompression

Dr. Hobbs first relieves the narrowing in the spinal canal, removing the bone and thickened ligament that are pressing on the nerves. This is what addresses the leg, buttock, and groin symptoms of stenosis.

Interlaminar Stabilization

The coflex device is placed in the midline between the lamina of the treated level. Its wings gently grip the bone above and below, providing support and stability without screws into the vertebral bodies and without fusing the segment.

Preserved Motion

Because the bones are stabilized rather than fused, the treated segment keeps moving in a controlled way. This is intended to protect the levels above and below from the added stress that often follows a fusion.

Coflex vs. Spinal Fusion

For patients with lumbar spinal stenosis who need more than a decompression alone, the two main surgical options are decompression plus fusion and decompression plus coflex. Fusion is effective, but permanently locking a segment can place extra stress on the neighboring levels over time.

Coflex was studied head-to-head against fusion in a rigorous FDA clinical trial that compared decompression plus coflex with decompression plus pedicle-screw fusion. Coflex demonstrated outcomes that were better than or equivalent to fusion across the major endpoints — while preserving motion at the treated level.

Decompression + Coflex

Preserves motion at the treated level
No fusion and no pedicle screws into the vertebral bodies
Aims to reduce stress on adjacent levels
FDA-approved for one- or two-level stenosis (L1–L5)

Decompression + Fusion

Permanently eliminates motion at the segment
Can add stress to neighboring levels over time
Long, well-established track record
Right choice for instability or deformity that needs fusing

Not every patient is a candidate for coflex, and fusion remains the better option in some situations. Dr. Hobbs will help you choose the approach that fits your anatomy and goals.

Do You Qualify for Coflex?

Coflex is approved for a specific group of patients. You may be a candidate if you:

Have lumbar spinal stenosis at one or two levels (from L1 to L5)
Have at least moderate impairment in your daily function
Find your leg, buttock, or groin symptoms ease when you bend forward
Have tried 6+ months of nonsurgical treatment without enough relief

Candidacy is determined individually. Dr. Hobbs reviews your symptoms, examination, and imaging to confirm whether coflex is appropriate for you. The criteria above are a plain-language summary of the FDA-approved indication.

Why Choose Dr. Hobbs

Motion-Preserving Options
Offers coflex and the TOPS System as alternatives to fusion for the right patients

Board-Certified Neurosurgeon
Specialty-trained in spine surgery, including complex and revision cases

Elite Training
University of Kentucky medical degree; neurosurgery residency at the University of Chicago, serving as chief resident

The Right Tool for You
Honest guidance on whether decompression alone, coflex, or fusion is the best fit

TOPS System (motion device) · Spinal stenosis · Spinal fusion

Frequently Asked Questions About Coflex

Coflex is a small, U-shaped titanium implant used for interlaminar stabilization. After Dr. Hobbs relieves the narrowing in your spinal canal with a decompression, the coflex device is placed in the midline between the bones (the lamina) of the affected level. It supports and stabilizes the spine while preserving motion — a motion-preserving alternative to spinal fusion.

A fusion permanently locks the treated vertebrae together to stop motion, which can place added stress on the levels above and below over time. Coflex instead provides stability while allowing the segment to keep moving. In its FDA clinical trial, decompression plus coflex showed outcomes better than or equivalent to decompression plus pedicle-screw fusion across the major endpoints.

Coflex is indicated for skeletally mature patients with one- or two-level lumbar spinal stenosis (from L1 to L5) who have at least moderate impairment in function, experience relief of their leg, buttock, or groin symptoms when bending forward (in flexion), with or without back pain, and who have tried at least six months of nonsurgical treatment. Dr. Hobbs determines candidacy through an examination and review of your imaging.

Yes. The FDA granted the coflex Interlaminar Technology Premarket Approval (PMA) in October 2012 as a motion-preserving interlaminar stabilization device for the treatment of moderate to severe lumbar spinal stenosis. It is implanted after decompression of the affected level.

Coflex is used to treat lumbar spinal stenosis — narrowing of the spinal canal that compresses the nerves and causes leg, buttock, or groin pain, often with difficulty walking or standing. It is approved for one or two adjacent levels in the lower back, from L1 to L5, with or without accompanying back pain.

Yes. Jonathan G. Hobbs, M.D. offers the coflex interlaminar stabilization procedure to appropriate patients as a motion-preserving alternative to fusion. He practices at Lakeshore Bone & Joint Institute, with offices in Crown Point, Chesterton, and Portage, Indiana.

Is Coflex Right for You?

If you have lumbar spinal stenosis and want to understand your options beyond fusion, schedule a consultation with Dr. Hobbs. He will review your imaging and help you decide whether coflex, another motion-preserving option, or fusion is the best fit.

(219) 250-5010

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Crown Point Office

500 E. 109th Avenue
Crown Point, IN 46307

Chesterton Office

601 Gateway Boulevard
Chesterton, IN 46304