Here are 10 spine practices with research centers or foundations to support spine research and education advancement.
Deuk Spine Institute (Melbourne, Fla.). Founded by Ara Deukmendjian, MD, Deuk Spine Institute surgeons perform a variety of interventions for back pain, including a new procedure Dr. Deukmendjian developed called Deuk Laser Disc Repair. He also founded the Deuk Spine Foundation, a non-profit organization focused on research and education related to back pain and spine care. The foundation exists to advance spine research and provide a forum for public education and treatment for spine disease. Coupled with the public education on spinal conditions, the foundation supports clinical research to test different treatment options against worldwide registries of outcomes data. Deuk Spine Institute surgeons compare results from the Deuk Laser Disc Repair to other minimally invasive and open back procedures. The foundation also sponsors seminars, student projects, senior center discussion groups, scholarships and other outreach initiatives to promote spine health.
Nebraska Spine Center (Omaha, Neb.). The spine surgeons of Nebraska Spine Center founded the Nebraska Foundation for Spine Research in 1998. The non-profit foundation supports research by the Nebraska Spine Center and carries out research sponsored by other companies. Studies through the foundation that are currently enrolling patients include a trial for DePuy Spine's Discover Disc, AxioMed Spine's Freedom Lumbar Disc and the use of rhBMP-2 for anterior cervical decompression. The foundation's goal is to promote research that can improve patient care and offer novel treatments at reduced or no cost. Many of the surgeons associated with the foundation have published articles as a result of their work and are committed to serving as a source of education and information related to spinal disease and disorders.
NeuroSpine Institute (Orlando). NeuroSpine Institute President Robert L. Masson, MD, a neurosurgeon with a special interest in spinal injury and sports neurosurgery, founded the NeuroSpine Institute Foundation and currently serves as chairman of the board. The foundation was formed in 2010 and has been focused on its educational mission ever since. NSIF's main goal is to promote youth sports and education about how to stop preventable inujuries, including concussions and spinal cord injury, from occurring in young athletes. NSIF recently held its 1st Annual Celebrity Reception & Golf Tournament, which raised money for the first phase of education for coaches, parents and players.
San Diego Center for Spinal Disorders (San Diego). Behrooz Akbarnia, MD, director of the San Diego Center for Spinal Disorders, founded the San Diego Spine Foundation in 2004 to support spine-related research and education. The foundation's mission is to improve the global care of spine patients through research, education and professional development. The foundation provides funding for the San Diego Spine Fellowship Program, allowing young surgeons to pursue clinical and research education in spine surgery. Since its inception, SDSF has received and provided grants for research studies in adult and pediatric spinal disorders and deformities. Several of these studies have been published in professional journals. In addition to research, the foundation is involved in educational endeavors such as the sponsorship of the San Diego City Wide Spine Meetings for spine surgeons and their clinical staff.
Sonoran Spine Center (Mesa, Ariz.). The Sonoran Spine Center is committed to research through its Sonoran Spine Research and Education Foundation. The foundation is an independent, non-profit organization that conducts and supports spine research. The clinical research conducted through the foundation focuses on several areas, including scoliosis, new techniques for kyphosis correction, spine trauma, ostoporosis-related spine fractures and biologic enhancement of spinal fusion. The researchers are also interested in sports-related and work-related injuries. In 2011, surgeons and researchers with the foundation gathered and presented information on several different topics, including the use of rhBMP-2 in transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion and long-term work capacity after spine surgery. In addition to its focus on research, the foundation also supports public awareness programs and advocacy groups for spinal disorders.
Southeastern Spine Center (Sarasota, Fla.). Southeastern Spine Center includes a research institute to provide objective evaluation of outcomes for operative and non-operative care for treatment with spinal disorders. Surgeons at the center are currently comparing minimally invasive endoscopic interbody fusion with open interbody fusion as part of a multi-centered study being conducted around the United States. The surgeons are also working on a retrospective evaluation comparing open versus endoscopic lumbar decompression, fusion and instrumentation. A third study examines upright MRI with flexion and extension in comparison to supine MRI for differentiating clinical findings. The surgeons have participated in several clinical research trials and worked on designing and developing metallic implants for both cervical and lumbar spinal disorders.
Spine Institute Santa Monica (Santa Monica, Calif.). The Spine Institute has a focus on research and clinical trials for several types of spine and back pain management procedures. During the past 10 years, the institute's research has emphasized the in vivo application of proteins, growth factors, stem cell therapy and biologics to promote spinal tissue generation or regeneration. The Spine Institute's Spine Research Foundation has participated in several clinical trials, including the study of BMP-7 and nucleus replacement. Current open trials include the treatment of lumbar internal disc disruption with the Biostat System and Intradiscal rhGDF-5 as a growth factor for patients with lumbar degenerative disc disease. Much of the research done at the Spine Research Foundation is later published in professional journals, and the surgeons are often called upon to provide expertise to media sources on spine research and innovation.
Texas Back Institute (Plano, Texas). In 1985, the Texas Back Institute Research Foundation was founded to improve care for patients with back pain through research and education. The foundation's work has included total disc replacements, minimally invasive procedures and pre-surgical psychological screening. TBIRF also has a fellowship program that has trained more than 70 spine surgeons through fellowships and visitor programs, and much of the research done at the foundation has been published in professional journal. In 2004, Texas Back Institute also formed Texas Back Institute Clinical Research, an organization dedicated to advancing new spinal technologies and techniques, which has supervised clinical research trials, research studies and education programs. The current clinical trials include a study comparing the VertiFlex Superion Interspinous Spacer to the X-Stop Interspinous Process Decompression System for spinal stenosis; and the clinical and radiographic outcomes of anterior lumbar interbody fusion using a novel stand-alone interbody fusion device.
Twin Cities Spine Center (Minneapolis). The Twin Cities Spine Center has a research department, which is an extension of the research conducted by John H. Moe, MD, focusing on scoliosis treatment and care. The surgeons now involved with the research department examine operative and non-operative treatment, diagnostic methods and the natural history of spine problems. More than 500 medical papers have been published in peer-reviewed medical journals as a result of research done at the practice. The findings associated with the Twin Cities Spine Center research department include a clinical classification of surgical adolescent idiopathic scoliosis cases and a functional outcome analysis for surgically treated isthmic spondylolisthesis.
Virginia Spine Institute (Reston, Va.). Virginia Spine Institute President Thomas C. Schuler, MD, founded the practice in 1992, and since then VSI spine surgeons have participated in several cutting-edge research and development projects. These projects include studying the safety and effectiveness of the Maverick Total Disc Replacement for lumbar degenerative disc disease, Prestige LP Cervical Disc and a clinical trial involving anterior cervical interbody fusion using rhBMP-2 soaked into an absorbable collagen sponge. In 2002, Dr. Schuler founded The Spine Research Foundation, which is now directed by Brian R. Subach, MD. The foundation was formed with the goal of promoting fact-based medicine among spinal healthcare. In addition to the focus on research, The Spinal Research Foundation has also built an education program to promote spinal health awareness among the general public, with efforts including the "We've Got Your Back" race, walk and spinal health fair held at locations around the country.
If you would like to recommend a spine surgeon leader or practice to highlight in future weekly lists, please e-mail Laura at laura@beckersasc.com.
Related Articles on Spine Surgeons:
10 Spine and Neurosurgeons Who Served for Iraq and Afghanistan Conflicts
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Deuk Spine Institute (Melbourne, Fla.). Founded by Ara Deukmendjian, MD, Deuk Spine Institute surgeons perform a variety of interventions for back pain, including a new procedure Dr. Deukmendjian developed called Deuk Laser Disc Repair. He also founded the Deuk Spine Foundation, a non-profit organization focused on research and education related to back pain and spine care. The foundation exists to advance spine research and provide a forum for public education and treatment for spine disease. Coupled with the public education on spinal conditions, the foundation supports clinical research to test different treatment options against worldwide registries of outcomes data. Deuk Spine Institute surgeons compare results from the Deuk Laser Disc Repair to other minimally invasive and open back procedures. The foundation also sponsors seminars, student projects, senior center discussion groups, scholarships and other outreach initiatives to promote spine health.
Nebraska Spine Center (Omaha, Neb.). The spine surgeons of Nebraska Spine Center founded the Nebraska Foundation for Spine Research in 1998. The non-profit foundation supports research by the Nebraska Spine Center and carries out research sponsored by other companies. Studies through the foundation that are currently enrolling patients include a trial for DePuy Spine's Discover Disc, AxioMed Spine's Freedom Lumbar Disc and the use of rhBMP-2 for anterior cervical decompression. The foundation's goal is to promote research that can improve patient care and offer novel treatments at reduced or no cost. Many of the surgeons associated with the foundation have published articles as a result of their work and are committed to serving as a source of education and information related to spinal disease and disorders.
NeuroSpine Institute (Orlando). NeuroSpine Institute President Robert L. Masson, MD, a neurosurgeon with a special interest in spinal injury and sports neurosurgery, founded the NeuroSpine Institute Foundation and currently serves as chairman of the board. The foundation was formed in 2010 and has been focused on its educational mission ever since. NSIF's main goal is to promote youth sports and education about how to stop preventable inujuries, including concussions and spinal cord injury, from occurring in young athletes. NSIF recently held its 1st Annual Celebrity Reception & Golf Tournament, which raised money for the first phase of education for coaches, parents and players.
San Diego Center for Spinal Disorders (San Diego). Behrooz Akbarnia, MD, director of the San Diego Center for Spinal Disorders, founded the San Diego Spine Foundation in 2004 to support spine-related research and education. The foundation's mission is to improve the global care of spine patients through research, education and professional development. The foundation provides funding for the San Diego Spine Fellowship Program, allowing young surgeons to pursue clinical and research education in spine surgery. Since its inception, SDSF has received and provided grants for research studies in adult and pediatric spinal disorders and deformities. Several of these studies have been published in professional journals. In addition to research, the foundation is involved in educational endeavors such as the sponsorship of the San Diego City Wide Spine Meetings for spine surgeons and their clinical staff.
Sonoran Spine Center (Mesa, Ariz.). The Sonoran Spine Center is committed to research through its Sonoran Spine Research and Education Foundation. The foundation is an independent, non-profit organization that conducts and supports spine research. The clinical research conducted through the foundation focuses on several areas, including scoliosis, new techniques for kyphosis correction, spine trauma, ostoporosis-related spine fractures and biologic enhancement of spinal fusion. The researchers are also interested in sports-related and work-related injuries. In 2011, surgeons and researchers with the foundation gathered and presented information on several different topics, including the use of rhBMP-2 in transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion and long-term work capacity after spine surgery. In addition to its focus on research, the foundation also supports public awareness programs and advocacy groups for spinal disorders.
Southeastern Spine Center (Sarasota, Fla.). Southeastern Spine Center includes a research institute to provide objective evaluation of outcomes for operative and non-operative care for treatment with spinal disorders. Surgeons at the center are currently comparing minimally invasive endoscopic interbody fusion with open interbody fusion as part of a multi-centered study being conducted around the United States. The surgeons are also working on a retrospective evaluation comparing open versus endoscopic lumbar decompression, fusion and instrumentation. A third study examines upright MRI with flexion and extension in comparison to supine MRI for differentiating clinical findings. The surgeons have participated in several clinical research trials and worked on designing and developing metallic implants for both cervical and lumbar spinal disorders.
Spine Institute Santa Monica (Santa Monica, Calif.). The Spine Institute has a focus on research and clinical trials for several types of spine and back pain management procedures. During the past 10 years, the institute's research has emphasized the in vivo application of proteins, growth factors, stem cell therapy and biologics to promote spinal tissue generation or regeneration. The Spine Institute's Spine Research Foundation has participated in several clinical trials, including the study of BMP-7 and nucleus replacement. Current open trials include the treatment of lumbar internal disc disruption with the Biostat System and Intradiscal rhGDF-5 as a growth factor for patients with lumbar degenerative disc disease. Much of the research done at the Spine Research Foundation is later published in professional journals, and the surgeons are often called upon to provide expertise to media sources on spine research and innovation.
Texas Back Institute (Plano, Texas). In 1985, the Texas Back Institute Research Foundation was founded to improve care for patients with back pain through research and education. The foundation's work has included total disc replacements, minimally invasive procedures and pre-surgical psychological screening. TBIRF also has a fellowship program that has trained more than 70 spine surgeons through fellowships and visitor programs, and much of the research done at the foundation has been published in professional journal. In 2004, Texas Back Institute also formed Texas Back Institute Clinical Research, an organization dedicated to advancing new spinal technologies and techniques, which has supervised clinical research trials, research studies and education programs. The current clinical trials include a study comparing the VertiFlex Superion Interspinous Spacer to the X-Stop Interspinous Process Decompression System for spinal stenosis; and the clinical and radiographic outcomes of anterior lumbar interbody fusion using a novel stand-alone interbody fusion device.
Twin Cities Spine Center (Minneapolis). The Twin Cities Spine Center has a research department, which is an extension of the research conducted by John H. Moe, MD, focusing on scoliosis treatment and care. The surgeons now involved with the research department examine operative and non-operative treatment, diagnostic methods and the natural history of spine problems. More than 500 medical papers have been published in peer-reviewed medical journals as a result of research done at the practice. The findings associated with the Twin Cities Spine Center research department include a clinical classification of surgical adolescent idiopathic scoliosis cases and a functional outcome analysis for surgically treated isthmic spondylolisthesis.
Virginia Spine Institute (Reston, Va.). Virginia Spine Institute President Thomas C. Schuler, MD, founded the practice in 1992, and since then VSI spine surgeons have participated in several cutting-edge research and development projects. These projects include studying the safety and effectiveness of the Maverick Total Disc Replacement for lumbar degenerative disc disease, Prestige LP Cervical Disc and a clinical trial involving anterior cervical interbody fusion using rhBMP-2 soaked into an absorbable collagen sponge. In 2002, Dr. Schuler founded The Spine Research Foundation, which is now directed by Brian R. Subach, MD. The foundation was formed with the goal of promoting fact-based medicine among spinal healthcare. In addition to the focus on research, The Spinal Research Foundation has also built an education program to promote spinal health awareness among the general public, with efforts including the "We've Got Your Back" race, walk and spinal health fair held at locations around the country.
If you would like to recommend a spine surgeon leader or practice to highlight in future weekly lists, please e-mail Laura at laura@beckersasc.com.
Related Articles on Spine Surgeons:
10 Spine and Neurosurgeons Who Served for Iraq and Afghanistan Conflicts
10 Spine Surgeon Investigators of Artificial discs
10 Spine Surgeons for NFL Teams