Patient Population
Degenerative Spondylolisthesis
Degenerative Disc Disease often presents with neurogenic claudication, back pain, and instability.
- Open Posterior Decompression and Fusion Is Still the Gold Standard for Degenerative Spondylolisthesis1
- Studies have shown prevalence of degenerative spondylolisthesis among the elderly ranges from 19% to 43%2
- 47% of people 60 – 69 have spinal stenosis3
- 48% over 65 suffer from low bone density and is major problem in the aging population4
- Fastest growing surgical population over 65 will increase ~30% in next 10 years3

Treatment Goals
Fixation Solution
Karma provides a metal-free, minimally-disruptive spinal fixation solution

Karma posterior spinal fixation system provides a treatment option for patients as an adjunct to fusion. Karma also provides surgeons with a metal-free, anatomy-preserving spinal fixation option that leverages the densest bone of the posterior elements to stabilize the spine and facilitate facet fusion.
Surgeon
Testimonials
“Karma technology is truly a disruptive procedure in supplemental fixation. The FEA (Finite Element Analysis) data demonstrated similar stability while reducing stress shielding through the anterior column of the spine. My patients who have been treated using Karma have had very positive results. It has been an exciting journey to work with a great company and engineers to simplify the technique and allow for the device to be safely and reproducibly deployed using minimally less invasive surgery techniques. Congratulations to the team for all of their hard work to reach this milestone.”
“The Karma fixation system represents a significant advancement in the treatment of degenerative spondylolisthesis, offering a less invasive, yet highly effective alternative to traditional fixation methods. Its innovative approach not only reduces surgical time but also minimizes the risk associated with extensive tissue disruption, making it a preferable option for patients, particularly those with low bone quality.”
“When a patient presents with a chief complaint of neurogenic claudication, a stable spondylolisthesis and a secondary complaint of mild to moderate low back pain, Karma provides an ideal, less invasive solution and in many cases can be performed outpatient.”
- Alpesh Patel, MD, Northwestern University, Lumbar Spine Research Society Presentation 2023.
- H. Inose, et al. Comparison of decompression, decompression plus fusion, and decompression plus stabilization: a long-term follow-up of a prospective, randomized study. The Spine Journal 22 (2022) 747-755
- Kalichman L, Cole R, Kim DH, et al. Spinal stenosis prevalence and association with symptoms: the Framingham Study. Spine J. 2009;9(7):545–550. doi:10.1016/j.spinee.2009.03.005
- Sarafrazi, et al. NCHS Data Brief, No. 405, March 2021