Here are nine stories concerning studies and technologies useful for spine surgeons.
1. AAOS: Vertebroplasty Ineffective in Treating Spinal Fractures. After reviewing the literature over several years, a workgroup comprised of volunteer physicians concluded that there was strong evidence suggesting that vertebroplasty is not as beneficial as previously thought. After panel review, the AAOS board of directors voted to support the guideline against vertebroplasty.
Read more of "AAOS: Vertebroplasty Ineffective in Treating Spinal Fractures."
2. Stem Cells Could be Effective Treatment for Invertebral Disc Disease. Researchers isolated annulus fibrosus cells from the nondegenerative invertebral discs of adolescent patients with ideiopathic scoliosis and cultured the cells in vitro. They found that the cells expressed several of the cell surface antigens associated with mesenechymal stem cells.
Read more of "Stem Cells Could be Effective Treatment for Invertebral Disc Disease."
3. Study Shows Areas for Potential Cost Reduction in Adolescent Scoliosis Correction. The significant independent predictors of increased total cost include the surgical approach used, the number of pedicle screws placed and the number of vertebral levels fused.
Read more of "Study Shows Areas for Potential Cost Reduction in Adolescent Scoliosis Correction."
4. Medicare Advisory Committee Votes Against Off-Label BMP Use. A Medicare advisory committee voted not to warrant off-label use of bone morphogenetic protein, used in some spinal procedures. There are six uses approved by the FDA, including treatment for lumbar spine fusion and tibial fractures. However, studies suggest that up to 85 percent of procedures using BMP are for off-label uses.
Read more of "Medicare Advisory Committee Votes Against Off-Label BMP Use."
5. Reduced Pain in Patients Receiving Spinal Fusion Last Into Adulthood. The study followed adults who received spinal fusion in order to prevent worsening symptoms of spondylolisthesis without attempting to make a correction to the vertebrae's position. Study participants reported their pain levels as low. Researchers will continue to examine the patients' posture, gait and x-rays to assess treatment strategies for future patients.
Read more of "Reduced Pain in Patients Receiving Spinal Fusion Last Into Adulthood."
6. Spine Surgery Research Update: Biologics in Spine Surgery. An increasing trend in orthopedics is the use of biological treatment for bone and cartilage repair. According to an article published in The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, biologics are also on the rise for spinal surgery solutions. Clinical research on bone formation and investigation into retarding or reversing invertebral disc degereation are at the forefront of this new technology.
Read more of "Spine Surgery Research Update: Biologics in Spine Surgery."
7. Outpatient Lumbar Discectomy Has Excellent Results, is Safe and Low Cost at ASCs. Many physicians do not perform outpatient lumbar discectomies in ASCs because the ASC does not have the same resources as hospitals, such as expensive microscopes or “minimally invasive” tube systems, and the reimbursement to the ASC is substantially less than the reimbursement to a hospital, says Dr. Dick. However, he says performing the procedure in an ASC results in excellent outcomes, is safe and has the potential to cut healthcare costs in the future.
Read more of "Outpatient Lumbar Discectomy Has Excellent Results, is Safe and Low Cost at ASCs."
8. CT Scans May Detect Upper Spine Injuries. Retrospectively, the researchers found injuries in the CT scans including damaged connection between the spine and skull for 30 percent of the fatal cases. Researchers concluded that detecting upper spine soft and hard tissue injury is possible by using careful measurement within CT scan images.
Read more of "CT Scans May Detect Upper Spine Injuries."
9. iPad-based Radiology Interface for Orthopedic and Spine Surgeons: Virtual Viewbox From Musculoskeletal Imaging Consultants. Virtual Viewbox was designed to help meet the specific radiology interface needs of orthopedic and spine surgeons. Surgeons can view images, reports with annotated key images and participate in interactive online consultations with their radiologist using a portable HIPAA/HITECH compliant device that can be carried into the examination room or the operating room.
Read more of "iPad-based Radiology Interface for Orthopedic and Spine Surgeons: Virtual Viewbox From Musculoskeletal Imaging Consultants."
1. AAOS: Vertebroplasty Ineffective in Treating Spinal Fractures. After reviewing the literature over several years, a workgroup comprised of volunteer physicians concluded that there was strong evidence suggesting that vertebroplasty is not as beneficial as previously thought. After panel review, the AAOS board of directors voted to support the guideline against vertebroplasty.
Read more of "AAOS: Vertebroplasty Ineffective in Treating Spinal Fractures."
2. Stem Cells Could be Effective Treatment for Invertebral Disc Disease. Researchers isolated annulus fibrosus cells from the nondegenerative invertebral discs of adolescent patients with ideiopathic scoliosis and cultured the cells in vitro. They found that the cells expressed several of the cell surface antigens associated with mesenechymal stem cells.
Read more of "Stem Cells Could be Effective Treatment for Invertebral Disc Disease."
3. Study Shows Areas for Potential Cost Reduction in Adolescent Scoliosis Correction. The significant independent predictors of increased total cost include the surgical approach used, the number of pedicle screws placed and the number of vertebral levels fused.
Read more of "Study Shows Areas for Potential Cost Reduction in Adolescent Scoliosis Correction."
4. Medicare Advisory Committee Votes Against Off-Label BMP Use. A Medicare advisory committee voted not to warrant off-label use of bone morphogenetic protein, used in some spinal procedures. There are six uses approved by the FDA, including treatment for lumbar spine fusion and tibial fractures. However, studies suggest that up to 85 percent of procedures using BMP are for off-label uses.
Read more of "Medicare Advisory Committee Votes Against Off-Label BMP Use."
5. Reduced Pain in Patients Receiving Spinal Fusion Last Into Adulthood. The study followed adults who received spinal fusion in order to prevent worsening symptoms of spondylolisthesis without attempting to make a correction to the vertebrae's position. Study participants reported their pain levels as low. Researchers will continue to examine the patients' posture, gait and x-rays to assess treatment strategies for future patients.
Read more of "Reduced Pain in Patients Receiving Spinal Fusion Last Into Adulthood."
6. Spine Surgery Research Update: Biologics in Spine Surgery. An increasing trend in orthopedics is the use of biological treatment for bone and cartilage repair. According to an article published in The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, biologics are also on the rise for spinal surgery solutions. Clinical research on bone formation and investigation into retarding or reversing invertebral disc degereation are at the forefront of this new technology.
Read more of "Spine Surgery Research Update: Biologics in Spine Surgery."
7. Outpatient Lumbar Discectomy Has Excellent Results, is Safe and Low Cost at ASCs. Many physicians do not perform outpatient lumbar discectomies in ASCs because the ASC does not have the same resources as hospitals, such as expensive microscopes or “minimally invasive” tube systems, and the reimbursement to the ASC is substantially less than the reimbursement to a hospital, says Dr. Dick. However, he says performing the procedure in an ASC results in excellent outcomes, is safe and has the potential to cut healthcare costs in the future.
Read more of "Outpatient Lumbar Discectomy Has Excellent Results, is Safe and Low Cost at ASCs."
8. CT Scans May Detect Upper Spine Injuries. Retrospectively, the researchers found injuries in the CT scans including damaged connection between the spine and skull for 30 percent of the fatal cases. Researchers concluded that detecting upper spine soft and hard tissue injury is possible by using careful measurement within CT scan images.
Read more of "CT Scans May Detect Upper Spine Injuries."
9. iPad-based Radiology Interface for Orthopedic and Spine Surgeons: Virtual Viewbox From Musculoskeletal Imaging Consultants. Virtual Viewbox was designed to help meet the specific radiology interface needs of orthopedic and spine surgeons. Surgeons can view images, reports with annotated key images and participate in interactive online consultations with their radiologist using a portable HIPAA/HITECH compliant device that can be carried into the examination room or the operating room.
Read more of "iPad-based Radiology Interface for Orthopedic and Spine Surgeons: Virtual Viewbox From Musculoskeletal Imaging Consultants."