Spine

A group of researchers performed a retrospective cohort analysis of patients who underwent spinal surgery for lumbar stenosis between 2002 and 2009 in the United States to examine outcomes and costs. The research was published in Spine.

The documentation insurance companies demand includes data about non-surgical treatment — previously compiled by primary care physicians or non-operative specialists — as well as the appropriate diagnostic and imaging studies.

Carolina Neurosurgery & Spine Associates, in coordination with Carolinas Medical Center, is making a new local neurosurgical residency program in Charlotte, N.C., a reality.

Here are 10 spine surgeons and specialists making headlines this week.

  Armin Curt, MD, principal investigator in the StemCells trial for spinal cord injury patients, gave an update on the Phase I/II trial at the American Spinal Injury Association annual meeting in San Antonio.

  A research team led by Richard Guyer, MD, of Texas Back Institute in Plano, compared the Kineflex-L Disc to the CHARITE artificial disc for lumbar disc replacement procedures and published their findings in Spine.

Spine surgery is an expensive procedure, but for patients who would benefit from surgical correction the long-term economic benefits can far outweigh the initial cost of care. Especially with new minimally invasive and outpatient spine procedures, the cost of spine…

There are several key changes in Washington, D.C., that could directly impact spine surgeons.

Here are five hospitals and health systems that are investing in expanding their spine programs.

  Richard Duncan, MD, has been given the 2014 Hope Award at the Spine Health Foundation's annual fundraiser — Derby Day.