Here are eight things for spinal surgeons to know for Dec. 3, 2015.
$17M Brain and Spine Hospital to open in Ohio in fall 2016
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus is expanding its neurological institute with a new $17.6 million Brain and Spine Hospital. The 59,000-square-foot renovation will hold 87 private beds in the top three floors of the old James Cancer Hospital. The renovations will start in January 2016 and be completed in fall 2016.
Average NP salary hits $87k
NPs and PAs received an average annual salary of $87,000 and $85,000 in 2015, respectively, based on a recent Medscape report. Of the practices surveyed, 43 percent reported offering annual raises between 3 percent and 5 percent. While 65 percent of practices provided paid health insurance, less provided dental or vision insurance.
Correlation between lower spine malformations and herniated discs in children
A recent study published in the journal Neurosurgery shows children and teens with herniated discs are much more likely to have some kind of lower spine malformation. In nearly all the 63 patients studied, X-rays showed at least one type of malformation involving the lumbar spine and sacrum. Results suggest that surgery on the disc alone, without spinal fusion, is more likely to be effective in young patients with low back pain from herniated discs than surgeries with the additional spinal fusion.
$5M donation to MUSC creates idea incubator; spine device is 1st project
The Medical University of South Carolina received a $5 million donation for an idea incubator that will include new innovations for spinal surgery. The new incubator is called the Zucker Institute of Applied Neurosciences at MUSC. The first product is Sinu-Lok, a device designed to simplify and improve minimally invasive spine surgery. The device already has a patent and will likely come to market late in 2015.
Xtant Medical receives FDA clearance for expanded product indications
Xtant Medical's wholly owned subsidiary, X-spine Systems received FDA clearance for expanded indications to include ilium fixation and extended length screws for the Fortex and the Xpress 2 Pedicle Screw System. The new extended length screws are compatible with X-spine's current Fortex and Xpress instrument systems, and are dual lead and non-cannulated. They are indicated for use in posterior, non-cervical, T1-S2/Ilium pedicle spinal fixation.
Dr. John Gensel to head research on immune system role in spinal cord injury repair
John C. Gensel, PhD, of the University of Kentucky Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center in Lexington, received a $1.6 million grant from the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke. He will use the funds to research the impact of the immune system, specifically macrophages, on repairing spinal cord injuries.
What to know about minimally invasive SI joint fusion implant survivorship
A new study examines the surgical implant survivorship of minimally invasive sacroiliac joint fusion, published in Dove Press. The researchers examined revision surgeries and linked them to index surgeries. They calculated the likelihood of revision surgery with the Kaplan-Meier life table approach. Four-year survivorship without revision was 96.46 percent for minimally invasive SI joint fusion using the iFuse Implant System from SI-BONE.
VEXIM names Steve Swinson board of directors chairman
Mr. Swinson has over 30 years' experience in international business and most recently led the spine and biologics business for Western Europe and Canada at Medtronic. VEXIM is a medical device company focusing on the minimally invasive treatment of vertebral fractures.