Four spine surgeons discuss where spine research is headed in the future. Ask Spine Surgeons is a weekly series of questions posed to spine surgeons around the country about clinical, business and policy issues affecting spine care. We invite all spine surgeon and specialist responses. Next week's question: What, if any, changes have you seen from payors in your market over the past year for spine surgery coverage?
Please send responses to Laura Miller at laura@beckershealthcare.com by Wednesday, Oct. 17, at 5 p.m. CST.
Where do you see spine research headed in the future?
Dennis Crandall, MD, Founder and Medical Director of Sonoran Spine Center, Mesa, Ariz.: Proving the value of the work we do, compared to other diseases and specialties.
Walter Eckman, MD, Founder, Aurora Spine Center, Tupelu, Miss.:
1. Disc regeneration
2. Expanded understanding of the role of mild instability in chronic back pain
Brian R. Gantwerker, MD, Spine Surgeon, The Craniospinal Center of Los Angeles: I see thinner times ahead. I am relatively new to practice. However, the fragmentation of interests and notions of self-preservation prevent us as a
specialty from forming strong coalitions to retard the progress toward a payor-run healthcare system.
Paul Slosar, MD, President, SpineCare Medical Group, San Francisco Spine Institute: I continue to see a significant uptick in spine companies looking into implant surface-technology improvements. There is decreasing surgeon confidence in PEEK as BMP use declines. This is fueling a resurgence in titanium use, especially with acid-etched surfaces, in both the U.S. and E.U. Titan Spine is the only company I am aware of that has published basic
science on this, and has commercial products available that can stimulate bone-implant integration independent of the biologic. Other companies realize the implant should participate in the fusion and are looking for technologies to accomplish this goal.
More Articles on Spine Surgery:
6 Spine Surgeons on Most Exciting Technology for the Future
9 Spine Surgeons on Big Concerns Keeping Them Up at Night
7 Biggest Opportunities for Growth in Spinal Surgery
Please send responses to Laura Miller at laura@beckershealthcare.com by Wednesday, Oct. 17, at 5 p.m. CST.
Where do you see spine research headed in the future?
Dennis Crandall, MD, Founder and Medical Director of Sonoran Spine Center, Mesa, Ariz.: Proving the value of the work we do, compared to other diseases and specialties.Walter Eckman, MD, Founder, Aurora Spine Center, Tupelu, Miss.:
1. Disc regeneration
2. Expanded understanding of the role of mild instability in chronic back pain
Brian R. Gantwerker, MD, Spine Surgeon, The Craniospinal Center of Los Angeles: I see thinner times ahead. I am relatively new to practice. However, the fragmentation of interests and notions of self-preservation prevent us as a
specialty from forming strong coalitions to retard the progress toward a payor-run healthcare system.Paul Slosar, MD, President, SpineCare Medical Group, San Francisco Spine Institute: I continue to see a significant uptick in spine companies looking into implant surface-technology improvements. There is decreasing surgeon confidence in PEEK as BMP use declines. This is fueling a resurgence in titanium use, especially with acid-etched surfaces, in both the U.S. and E.U. Titan Spine is the only company I am aware of that has published basic
science on this, and has commercial products available that can stimulate bone-implant integration independent of the biologic. Other companies realize the implant should participate in the fusion and are looking for technologies to accomplish this goal. More Articles on Spine Surgery:
6 Spine Surgeons on Most Exciting Technology for the Future
9 Spine Surgeons on Big Concerns Keeping Them Up at Night
7 Biggest Opportunities for Growth in Spinal Surgery