INDEPENDENCE Spacer for Lumbar Fusion

Inclusion Criteria: * • Objective evidence of degenerative disc disease at 1 or 2 level(s) between L2 and S1 with degeneration confirmed by patient history and radiographic examination * Experience pain, functional deficit and/or neurological deficit for a minimum of six months * Unresponsiveness to documented non-surgical treatment modalities for a minimum of six months and/or presentation with progressive symptoms of nerve root or spinal cord compression prior to enrollment * At least 18 years of age and maximum 65 years of age * Ability to provide Informed Consent for study participation and to return for all follow-up visits Exclusion Criteria: * • Presence of systemic or localized infection at the site of surgery * More than 2 levels to be instrumented * Previous fusion attempt at the involved level(s) * More than three previous open, posterior, lumbar spinal surgical procedures at the involved level(s) * Trauma at the level(s) to be fused * More than grade 1 spondylolisthesis * Previous documentation of osteopenia, osteoporosis, or osteomalacia to a degree that spinal instrumentation would be contraindicated * Diagnosis of a condition or requires postoperative medication(s), which may interfere with bony/soft tissue healing * Presence of a disease entity or condition which totally precludes possibility of bony fusion (e.g. metastatic cancer, HIV, long term use of steroids, etc.) * Immunosuppressive disorder * Pregnant or interested in becoming pregnant during the duration of the study * History of substance abuse (drugs or alcohol) * Any known allergy to a metal alloy * Mentally incompetent or prisoner * Currently a participant in another study