Spine

SAS-International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery has released a new policy statement on lumbar spinal fusion surgery that outlines the medical necessity of lumbar fusions for patients with degenerative disc disease, according to an organization news release.

Frank Phillips, MD, a spine surgeon and partner at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush, discusses five points on minimally invasive spine surgery.  Dr. Phillips is a founding member and Past-President of the Society of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (SMISS).

A larger amount of fat is associated with high levels of low back pain intensity and disability, according to a study published in Spine.

Alex Vaccaro, MD, a spine surgeon at Rothman Institute in Philadelphia, will be featured in a documentary from The Science Channel about The Elephant Man, according to a Philly Burbs report.

The authors of a recent study analyzing randomized controlled trial reporting in spine literature recommends surgeons and scientists place greater emphasis on complying with randomized controlled study guidelines to improve quality data, according to the study's abstract published in Spine.

Here are 10 spine and neurosurgeons who have invented and hold patents for spine devices.

The full-endoscopic interlaminar bilateral decompression with a unilateral approach is sufficient and safe as an alternative to traditional procedures for patients with spinal stenosis, according to a study published in Spine.

Gunner Andersson, MD, a surgeon at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush, was recently featured in an ABC news story investigating massage therapy for people with chronic low back pain, according to a practice news release.

Physicians can use tests to distinguish lower back pain patients from healthy patients through biomechanical analysis of everyday tasks, according to a report published in Spine.

Clint Borm, director of physician relations and consultation services at Laser Spine Institute in Tampa, Fla., has been named to the board of directors for The First Tee of Tampa Bay, according to a company news release.