News and Research for Spine Professionals

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.

Overcoming Barriers to Non-surgical Treatment for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Many patients with lumbar spinal stenosis are willing to comply with non-surgical treatment recommendations, including exercise, but face various barriers to treatment compliance, according to a qualitative study.

How to Improve Nursing Retention in Spine Practices

Nursing turnover rates are elevated in the United States, with estimates as high as 60% in some healthcare systems. Why nurses leave their jobs and solutions to improve nurse retention.

Physical Therapy for Cervical Radiculopathy Linked to Improved Post-surgical Outcomes

New findings suggest that physical therapy and epidural injections may have beneficial effects on post-surgical outcomes in patients with degenerative non-myelopathic cervical radiculopathy.

InFill Lumbar Fusion Systems Increase Bone Graft Volume Over Standard Prepacked Cages in Lumbar Interbody Fusion

The InFill Graft Delivery System can be used to “bulk up” a prepacked implant, or for a complete fill of the implant and disc space in-situ to maximize contact with the vertebral endplates.

Assessing Mental Function, Pain, and Mobility in Men with Osteoporosis

How does osteoporosis affect the quality of life in males with the condition? Research in The Aging Male tackles this question.

What Biopsychosocial Factors Increase Back Pain Risk?

Identifying people who are at the highest risk of developing back pain may open doors to research into targeted prevention strategies.

How Do Patients Choose a Spine Surgeon?

Many factors were evaluated and patients designated their preferences regarding six surgeon characteristics, including age, subspecialty, location, and appointment availability.

Patient Satisfaction Following Spine Surgery is Not Associated with Greater Opioid Use

“The take-home message from this study is that, certainly, communication of pain and the patient’s experience of pain are...

Which Patients Undergo Pre-Surgical Psychological Evaluation Before Spine Surgery?

How pre-surgical psychological evaluation may improve spine surgeons’ understanding of patients prior to intervention, allowing for better individualization of treatment based on both physiologic/biomechanical and psychosocial aspects of surgery.

ISASS Recommends Lumbar Decompression with Interlaminar Stabilization in Select Patients with Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

The International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery (ISASS) released a Policy Statement covering interlaminar stabilization in the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis.

Mount Sinai Offers Onsite 3D Printing Services for Spine Clinicians and Researchers

Use of 3D printing in this case actually led to a change in the way the surgery was performed. “It was one of those sort of aha moments where we realized the potential power of 3D modeling used intra-operatively."

Researchers Examine Optimal Vitamin D Dose for Osteoporosis

“Does a daily dose of 6,500 IU of vitamin D3 improve bone mineral density in the hip and spine when compared to a daily dose of 800 IU?”

Imaging Technology Improves Spinal Canal Tumor Detection

Scientists have developed a new computer system that works in conjunction with CT scans that improves detection of tumors in the spinal canal more clearly than ever. This latest technology was developed by doctors at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Radiology and Imaging Sciences Department in Bethesda, Maryland.

How to Give Advice on Management of Low Back Pain

How do clinical trials that test advice for acute low back pain compare with practice guidelines in terms of content, method of delivery, and treatment regimens?

Spinal Fusions by Orthopaedic Surgeons Linked to Greater In-Hospital Complications in National Database

Patients undergoing PCDF who are operated on by orthopaedic surgeons are more likely to experience in-hospital complications than those operated on by neurosurgeons, according to data from a nationwide database. This discrepancy was not found among patients who underwent PCDF at a single institution where interdisciplinary collaboration via two-surgeon spinal surgery is common.