Here are seven things for spine surgeons to know for Thursday, June 6, 2013. FDA panel recommended down-classifying rigid pedicle screws.
The Orthopedic and Rehabilitation panel for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommended changes to the pedicle screw's classification when it's used for treating degenerative disc disease and spondylolisthesis. The panel recommended the traditional rigid pedicle screw spinal systems be down-classified to Class II with special controls, the risk for allergy should be added and dynamic stabilization systems should remain Class III.
Orthopedist compensation increased from 2011 to 2012.
The average orthopedist compensation increased from $315,000 in 2011 to $405,000 in 2012, according to Medscape Physician Compensation Reports. The average hospital compensation for orthopedists increased from $251,000 in 2011 to $396,000 in 2012.
NuVasive announced the global launch of posterior lumbar interbody fusion device.
San Diego-based NuVasive launched its Maximum Access Surgery Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion procedure. The MAS PLIF system is now available in the U.S., Australia, Switzerland, Italy and Germany.
Medicaid patients use more resources for lumbar spinal stenosis surgery.
In a study recently published in Spine, researchers used Thomson Reuter's MarketScan database to compare lumbar spinal stenosis surgery outcomes in Medicaid patients to outcomes in commercial insurance patients. The study found Medicaid patients had greater resource utilization, while commercially insured patients incurred higher costs at both one to two years after the initial procedure.
TranS1 was renamed Baxano Surgical & relocated headquarters to Raleigh.
Wilmington, N.C.-based TranS1, which recently acquired medical device manufacturer Baxano, moved its headquarters to Raleigh and now operates under the name Baxano Surgical.
Dr. Robert Watkins performed spine surgery on New York Giant Jason Pierre-Paul.
Robert Watkins, MD, of the Marina Spine Center in Marina del Rey, Calif., performed spine surgery on the New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul. Dr. Watkins performed a microscopic lumbar discectomy on the player to address a lumbar disc herniation.
Hospital for Special Surgery held international meeting for cervical spine surgery.
Recently, the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York held an international symposium for the discussion of current issues and challenges in cervical spine surgery. The meeting's sessions focused on areas including controversies in spine surgery, craniovertebral junction, pediatric cervical spine surgery, advanced cervical spine techniques and cervical spine reconstruction.
More Articles on Spine:
How Reimbursement Issues Impact Spine Practices: Drs. Richard Kube & Brian Gill Weigh In
5 Areas for Spine Surgeon Leaders to Pave the Way Today From Dr. Richard Wohns
4 Statistics on Dysphagia After Posterior Cervical Surgery
The Orthopedic and Rehabilitation panel for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommended changes to the pedicle screw's classification when it's used for treating degenerative disc disease and spondylolisthesis. The panel recommended the traditional rigid pedicle screw spinal systems be down-classified to Class II with special controls, the risk for allergy should be added and dynamic stabilization systems should remain Class III.
Orthopedist compensation increased from 2011 to 2012.
The average orthopedist compensation increased from $315,000 in 2011 to $405,000 in 2012, according to Medscape Physician Compensation Reports. The average hospital compensation for orthopedists increased from $251,000 in 2011 to $396,000 in 2012.
NuVasive announced the global launch of posterior lumbar interbody fusion device.
San Diego-based NuVasive launched its Maximum Access Surgery Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion procedure. The MAS PLIF system is now available in the U.S., Australia, Switzerland, Italy and Germany.
Medicaid patients use more resources for lumbar spinal stenosis surgery.
In a study recently published in Spine, researchers used Thomson Reuter's MarketScan database to compare lumbar spinal stenosis surgery outcomes in Medicaid patients to outcomes in commercial insurance patients. The study found Medicaid patients had greater resource utilization, while commercially insured patients incurred higher costs at both one to two years after the initial procedure.
TranS1 was renamed Baxano Surgical & relocated headquarters to Raleigh.
Wilmington, N.C.-based TranS1, which recently acquired medical device manufacturer Baxano, moved its headquarters to Raleigh and now operates under the name Baxano Surgical.
Dr. Robert Watkins performed spine surgery on New York Giant Jason Pierre-Paul.
Robert Watkins, MD, of the Marina Spine Center in Marina del Rey, Calif., performed spine surgery on the New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul. Dr. Watkins performed a microscopic lumbar discectomy on the player to address a lumbar disc herniation.
Hospital for Special Surgery held international meeting for cervical spine surgery.
Recently, the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York held an international symposium for the discussion of current issues and challenges in cervical spine surgery. The meeting's sessions focused on areas including controversies in spine surgery, craniovertebral junction, pediatric cervical spine surgery, advanced cervical spine techniques and cervical spine reconstruction.
More Articles on Spine:
How Reimbursement Issues Impact Spine Practices: Drs. Richard Kube & Brian Gill Weigh In
5 Areas for Spine Surgeon Leaders to Pave the Way Today From Dr. Richard Wohns
4 Statistics on Dysphagia After Posterior Cervical Surgery