News and Research for Spine Professionals

Use of Trinity Evolution Bone Matrix Shows High Success Rate in Single-Level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion

Seventy-five percent of the study participants were current or former smokers, diabetic, overweight, obese or extremely obese and considered to be at high risk for bone growth failure.

Artificial Disc Replacement: Lessons Learned From IDE Trial Outcomes

During ISASS19's artificial disc symposium, Dr. Jack Zigler discussed very "robust and reproducible" data for cervical and lumbar artificial disc replacement that included cost studies.

Visualized Endoscopic Transforaminal Technique Shows Efficacy in Foraminal Stenosis

Retrospective review of cases showed good to excellent 5-year outcomes in the majority of patients with foraminal spinal stenosis who underwent endoscopic transforaminal decompression using Yeung's technique.

Spine Surgery Improves Physical Functioning and QOL in Mild Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy

The conundrum of improving physical function and quality of life issues in patients with mild degenerative cervical myelopathy is the focus in this large prospective cohort study.

The Changing Face of Spinal Cord Injury Trials

From studies on neuroprotective approaches to novel biologics, new discoveries are anticipated to translate into breakthroughs in this field.

Measures May Prevent Common Complications of Spinal Cord Injury

Researchers highlighted early measures that may prevent acute complications of spinal cord injury.

Allograft Linked to Higher Fusion Rates Over Intervertebral Cages in ACDF

Review of 6,100 patients who underwent ACDF found the rate of nonunion was higher in cases using synthetic intervertebral cages than in cases using structural allograft raising the question when to choose cages over allograft.

Pseudarthrosis Found in Half of Patients With PEEK Implants for Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion

Use of PEEK cages for ACDF was linked to a 5-fold increased incidence of pseudarthrosis compared with use of allograft materials, and a nearly 2-fold increase in the rate of subsequent revision surgery for pseudarthrosis, according to findings from a retrospective study presented at the 2018 AANS/CNS Joint Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves Annual Meeting.

Bundled Payments in Spine Surgery: Current Understanding and Future Directions

Efficacy of the bundled payment model has been demonstrated in total joint arthroplasty. However, concerns have been raised on whether bundled payments are appropriate for spine surgery.

Outpatient Transforaminal Endoscopic Decompression for Spinal Stenosis Linked to Cost Savings

Study outcomes provide reassurance to spine surgeons and payers that there is a real value proposition with outpatient endoscopic spine surgery, and the complication rate was lower than that for traditional microdiscectomy.

Predictors of Success With the iFuse Implant System Confirmed in Pooled Analysis

This pooled analysis marks publication of the 50th peer-reviewed study of the iFuse implant system, and confirms that minimally invasive SI joint fusion with iFuse significantly improves outcomes.

Increase in Lumbar Spine Bone Mineral Density in Infants Receiving Vitamin D

Is there an increase seen in lumbar spine bone mineral density in infants who receive a high dose of vitamin D daily ?

Using Age, Bone Mineral Density, and Spine Fracture Status to Predict Fracture Risk

Researchers found that the most predictive risk factors for incident fracture were age, bone mineral density, and spine fracture status.

Screening for Osteoporotic Vertebral Fractures: A Simple, Cost-effective Tool

Research was presented on a screening program for osteoporotic vertebral fractures (VF)—and how that program increases bisphosphonate prescriptions and eventually reduces the number of fractures.

Triple Herb Product Helps Prevent Osteoporosis in Spine and Hip

Researchers investigated the impact of a triple herb product in post-menopausal women with osteopenia.

Great Diversity Found in Outcome Domains Used in Adult Spinal Deformity Studies

New research shows “great diversity” in outcome domains and patient-reported outcome measures used in 144 studies on adult spinal deformity.

Volume-Outcome Benchmarks in Lumbar Spine Surgery

Volume-based benchmarks study for common lumbar spine surgeries received “The Spine Journal” Outstanding Paper: Value in Spine Care awarded at the North American Spine Society 2017 Annual Meeting.

Comparing Surgical Costs for Adult Spinal Deformity: Posterior-Only Versus Combination Anterior-Posterior

Researchers compared a posterior-only approach to a combination surgical anterior-posterior technique to determine which was most cost effective.

What’s a More Cost Effective Treatment for Cervical Radiculopathy: Epidural Injections or Surgery?

Results of a study comparing the cost effectiveness of epidural injections to anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) in the treatment of cervical radiculopathy.

Ossification Shape May Predict Outcomes of Laminoplasty in the Treatment of Cervical Myelopathy

Read on to learn about an important predictor of poor surgical outcomes following laminoplasty.

Integrating Spinal Cord Stimulation into Surgical Practice

During the 31st Annual Meeting of the North American Spine Society, Dr. F. Todd Wetzel discussed use of spinal cord stimulation in the context of failed back surgery syndrome.

Adding Value to the Conservative Management of Degenerative Disc

Physicians who incorporate the biopsychosocial model can add value to the management and treatment of patients who have degenerative disc disease.

Infections in Spine Surgery: The Role of Occult Pathogens

Celeste Abjornson, MD, focused on occult, indolent infections that result from contamination or are innate. Environments created by adding hardware to the body may lead to biofilm development, which is another source of occult infection in spinal surgery.

Nanocoating Technology May Prevent Spinal Implant Infections Without Inhibiting Osseointegration

The paradigm shift in current understanding of the potential role of occult infection in aseptic loosening of spinal instrumentation has prompted research to focus on building an antimicrobial surface coating for spinal implants that offer minimal risk and maximum reward.

Study Shows Long-term Benefits of Osteoporosis Treatment

The beneficial effects of teriparatide injections to treat patients with primary osteoporosis may last up to 1 year following the completion of treatment, according to the results of a recent study published online.

Researchers Assess Re-formatted CT Scans for Previously Undetected Osteoporotic Vertebral Fractures

In a study focused on osteoporosis in the spine, researchers looked at vertebral fractures on computed tomography (CT) examinations of the chest or abdomen in older adults.

The Effectiveness of Bone Scan Imaging in Locating Vertebral Fractures

Researchers set out to understand the effectiveness of using bone scan imaging to gauge pain in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.

Opioids for Chronic Pain: Putting Evidence Into Perspective

Excessive concerns over opioid abuse and safety may cause reluctance among physicians to prescribe these agents for chronic pain, or prescribe even small amounts for severe acute pain.

ISASS17 Spine Surgery Program Meeting Highlights

Meeting highlights from the 17th Annual Conference of the International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery (ISASS17).

3D-Printed PEEK Implants in Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy

Early results from a study using patient-specific 3D-printed PEEK implants in the surgical treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

Magnetic Kyphoplasty May Optimize Drug Delivery in Spinal Compression Fractures

Magnetic kyphoplasty as a new technique to accompany mainstay spinal compression fracture management lends advancement in predictive modeling and targeted drug delivery.

Cervical Disc Arthroplasty Found More Cost-Effective Than Anterior Cervical Discectomy for Disc Herniation

CDR appears to be more cost-effective than ACDF, according to findings presented at the AAOS 2018 Annual Meeting.

Managing Neurological Complications in Pediatric Spinal Deformity Surgery

Improving neurological outcomes in spinal deformity surgery include risk severity stratification, experience, intraoperative monitoring, and uniform response to neuromonitoring alerts.

Prevention and Management of Spine Injuries in Athletes

Safety of athletes who play contact sports requires an emergency action plan and emphasis on education about preventing and managing spinal cord injuries.

QOL Improvements of Scoliosis Surgery in Children With Cerebral Palsy Outweigh Risks

The benefit of scoliosis surgery to halt curve progression in children with cerebral palsy (CP) is a topic of ongoing debate. Study provides evidence that surgery for scoliosis in patients with CP provides a positive impact on QOL.

Multidisciplinary Algorithm Helps Patients With Spinal Metastases Live Longer

Multidisciplinary approach is essential to coordinate care for spinal metastases, which includes improved length and quality of life.

Staff and Office Factors May Negatively Affect Online Ratings for Spine Surgeons

Should spine surgeons ask patients if there were difficulties with the office appointment or surgical scheduling, and encourage patients to take an active role in billing prior to undergoing a surgical procedure in an attempt to provide more transparency for the patient?

Does Inflammatory Bowel Disease Complicate Lumbar Fusion Outcomes?

Inflammatory bowel disease is becoming increasingly more common among patients undergoing lumbar fusion, according to a retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of a nationwide database.

Porous PEEK May Have Better Impact Durability Over Titanium-Coated Device

Simulated cervical impaction testing showed fundamental differences in the response of porous versus titanium-coated PEEK devices, according to a recent study. Peer commentary by Khoi Than, MD.

Treating Osteoporosis in Spine Surgery Patients

Study findings at a spine center reveal patients’ level of osteoporosis knowledge and experts weigh in on pre-operative osteoporosis treatment.

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Protocol Reduces Opioid Use After Spinal Surgery

An enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol for elective spine surgery and peripheral nerve surgery was associated with reduced opioid use at one month post-operatively.

Radiation-Free Surface Topography Is Highly Correlated With X-Ray Outcomes and Self-Image in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

Study explores scoliotic body shape distortions that are not depicted by x-rays routinely used to assess spinal curvature and improvements with corrective surgery.