Glyder Device Offers Non-Fusion Option for Facet Pain
Author: Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 12 Nov 2014 - Updated: 21 Jul 2026
Publication Type: Informative
Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content
Synopsis
This research covers a clinical feasibility study examining the Glyder Facet Restoration Device, a minimally invasive surgical solution for patients with chronic lumbar facet joint pain who haven't found relief through conservative treatments like injections or nerve blocks. The device consists of two small polymer discs that stabilize the affected facet joint while preserving the spine's natural structure and maintaining options for future treatments - a significant advantage over fusion surgery, which permanently restricts spinal motion. With over 30 percent of chronic low back pain originating from facet joint degeneration and millions of interventions performed annually, this innovation addresses a substantial clinical gap for individuals dealing with debilitating back and leg pain that limits mobility and function.At a Glance
- 1 - The DUET trial enrolled up to 20 patients across five U.S. sites.
- 2 - An estimated 3.2 million facet joint interventions are performed annually.
- 3 - Zyga also markets the SImmetry Sacroiliac Joint Fusion System for sacroiliac joint conditions.
- 4 - The device earned a CE Mark and was paired with a planned 150-patient Post Market Registry in the E.U.
Topic Definition
- Glyder Facet Restoration Device
The Glyder Facet Restoration Device is a minimally invasive spinal implant designed to relieve chronic lumbar facet joint pain without resorting to fusion surgery. It works using two small polymer discs that cap the articulating surfaces of an affected facet joint, stabilizing it while preserving the surrounding natural anatomy and keeping future treatment options open. Because it restores facet joint function rather than permanently eliminating motion, it offers patients who have exhausted conservative measures like injections and nerve blocks a motion-sparing alternative to traditional spinal fusion.
Overview
Zyga Technology, Inc., a medical device company focused on the design, development and commercialization of minimally invasive products to treat underserved conditions of the lumbar spine, announced the first patient enrollment in DUET (A Multi-Site Study of the Zyga GlyDer Facet Restoration Device in Subjects with LUmbar FacET Pain Syndrome), a U.S. multi-center single-arm study. The study will be performed at five sites and will include up to 20 patients.
"Lumbar" is derived from the Latin word "lumbus," meaning lion, and the lumbar spine earns its name. It is built for both power and flexibility - lifting, twisting, and bending. In human anatomy, the lumbar vertebrae are the five vertebrae between the rib cage and the pelvis. They are the largest segments of the vertebral column and are characterized by the absence of the foramen transversarium within the transverse process (as it is only found in the cervical region), and by the absence of facets on the sides of the body. They are designated L1 to L5, starting at the top. The lumbar vertebrae help support the weight of the body, and permit movement.
Lumbar spinal stenosis is a condition whereby either the spinal canal (central stenosis) or one or more of the vertebral foramina (foraminal stenosis) becomes narrowed. If the narrowing is substantial, it causes compression of the spinal cord or spinal nerves, which causes the painful symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis, including low back pain, buttock pain, and leg pain and numbness that is made worse with walking and relieved by resting.
"The Glyder device fills a significant gap in the care continuum for facet joint pain," stated Reginald J. Davis, MD, FACS, Chief of Neurosurgery at Greater Baltimore Medical Center, who performed the surgery.
"When conservative treatments such as facet injection or rhizotomy fail to provide relief for these patients, our only recourse has been to perform a fusion, a procedure that eliminates motion and permanently alters the natural movement of the spine. The Glyder Device is designed to provide long-term relief of facet joint pain through a non-fusion procedure that preserves surrounding anatomy and future treatment options."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists low back pain (LBP) as the second most common cause of disability in U.S. adults (i). It has been reported that over 30 percent of all chronic low back pain derives from the facet joint (ii) , with an estimated 3.2 million facet joint interventions performed annually.
"It is rare and exciting to develop a truly novel technology that fills such a clear unmet clinical need," said Jim Bullock, president and chief executive officer of Zyga. "With the DUET clinical study, as well as a 150-patient Post Market Registry in the E.U. to be launched later this year, we continue to build the clinical evidence needed to support market adoption of the Glyder Facet Restoration Device."
The Glyder Facet Restoration Device is intended to provide relief from lumbar facet pain, restoring facet joint function while preserving native anatomy. The device consists of two small polymer discs that cover the articulating surfaces of the facet joint. The company is currently sponsoring a 20-patient, five-site feasibility study of the Glyder technology in the U.S. and recently received CE Mark on the device.
Zyga Technology is dedicated to the research, development and commercialization of solutions that provide empirical clinical and economic value in the treatment of underserved conditions of the spine. The company is currently marketing the SImmetry Sacroiliac Joint Fusion System, a minimally invasive procedure intended for conditions including sacroiliac joint disruptions and degenerative sacroiliitis.
- (i) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prevalence of disabilities and associated health conditions among adults United States, 1999. JAMA. 2001; 285(12):1571-1572.
- (ii) DePalma M et al. What is the source of chronic low back pain and does age play a role? Pain Med 2011; 12:224 - 233
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is a candidate for the Glyder Facet Restoration Device?
Candidates are typically patients with chronic lumbar facet joint pain who have not found lasting relief through conservative options such as facet injections, nerve blocks, or rhizotomy, and who want to avoid the permanent motion loss of fusion.
What is the Glyder device made of?
The device is built from two small polymer discs that cover the articulating surfaces of the facet joint, providing stabilization while remaining compatible with the body's natural spinal structure.
Is the Glyder procedure reversible?
Because the device preserves the surrounding native anatomy and does not fuse the joint, it is designed to keep future treatment options open, unlike fusion which permanently alters spinal movement.
How long is recovery after a non-fusion facet procedure?
Recovery varies by individual and surgical technique, but minimally invasive facet procedures generally involve shorter healing times than open fusion surgery; patients should follow their surgeon's specific guidance.
What causes chronic lumbar facet joint pain?
It is commonly caused by degeneration, arthritis, or wear of the small facet joints that connect the vertebrae, which can produce persistent low back pain and reduced mobility.
Are there risks associated with the Glyder device?
As with any surgical implant, potential risks include infection, implant migration, or incomplete pain relief, so patients should discuss individual risk factors with their spine specialist.
Where can patients learn if the Glyder device is available to them?
Availability depends on regulatory approval and clinical study status in a given region, so patients should consult a spine surgeon or the device manufacturer for current access options.
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note: The development of motion-preserving alternatives to spinal fusion represents an important shift in how the medical community approaches chronic back pain, particularly for aging populations and those with degenerative spine conditions. While the DUET study involved a modest 20-patient cohort, the underlying clinical need is undeniable - low back pain remains the second leading cause of disability among American adults. As Zyga continues to build evidence through additional registries and broader adoption in international markets, the Glyder device exemplifies how targeted medical innovation can offer patients genuine choice between procedural options, allowing them to maintain their quality of life without surrendering spinal mobility to achieve pain relief.
Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.