Dr. Raul Cardenas of OrthoSouth Performs First "TOPS" Procedure in Tri-State Area
An exciting milestone for motion preservation in the Mid-South
On July 31, 2026, OrthoSouth spine neurosurgeon Raul Cardenas, MD, FAANS performed the first TOPS™ procedure in the Mid-South at Saint Francis Hospital in Bartlett.
The TOPS™ (Total Posterior System) procedure is an alternative to spinal fusion that treats lumbar spinal stenosis and degenerative spondylolisthesis by decompressing nerves and replacing damaged facet joints with a mechanical implant built to preserve range of motion for the patient. Benefits of the procedure include:
Flexibility: The implant helps the spine move naturally at the treated level, preserving range of motion so the patient can bend, flex, and move naturally. This is different from a fusion, which locks the bones in place and keeps motion out of the joint.
Protection: The procedure can help reduce stress and wear on other nearby parts of the spine and relieves pressure on pinched nerves. It also maintains full stability in the lower back without limiting the patient's ability to move the way a fusion does.
Recovery: This procedure can involve a shorter hospital stay and a faster return to activity than the traditional fusion.
Not all patients in need of spinal decompression will be candidates for a TOPS™ procedure. However, for the appropriate patient, this alternative to spinal fusion represents an exciting possibility - the chance to preserve a more normal range of motion while achieving relief from chronic lower back pain.
