Here are eight things for spinal surgeons to know for Oct. 23, 2014.
Spinal paralysis reversed: Stem cell technique allows SCI patient to walk
The medical team implanted harvested cells — known as olfactory ensheathing cells, which repair damage to nasal nerves — into an 8mm gap in the spinal cord of Darek Fidyka, a Bulgarian who was confined to a wheelchair after being stabbed in the back in 2010.
Disruptive change could cost the medical device industry $34B
According to a study by global management consulting firm A.T. Kearney, disrupters could cause medical device companies to miss out on $34 billion in potential revenue by 2020. The study identified five disruptive forces that will have a negative economic effect, including new care delivery models and limited innovation.
Is cervical spine surgery cost-effective? The jury is still out
Researchers analyzing cost-effectiveness for cervical spine surgery found two studies that showed cervical disc replacement might be more cost-effective than anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. They also found two studies comparing anterior and posterior surgical procedures for cervical spondylotic myelopathy show anterior surgery was more cost-effective.
Exactech's 3Q financial report — Net income drops 6%
Net income for the company was down 6 percent to $3 million in the third quarter due to currency losses. There was a $923,000 negative foreign exchange swing for the third quarter in 2014 when compared with 2013. Revenue hit $57.9 million in the third quarter — a 4 percent increase over the same period last year.
Stryker's destiny: Net sales drop by 44%, but are looks deceiving?
For the third quarter, the company reported $2.4 billion net sales, which were unfavorably impacted 2.3 percent due to price changes. The company's net earnings were down 44.7 percent in the third quarter, only reaching $57 million.
Minimal access vs. open spine surgery: Is MIS proven more cost-effective?
Researchers analyzed six full economic studies comparing the two procedures, all for the lumbar spine. The researchers found there were no significant differences in cost-effectiveness between open surgery and minimal access surgery for the lumbar spine.
Medtronic Spine has innovations coming down the pipe
Medtronic launched several new products that could set the foundation for a new growth in the company's spine business. The products include:
• Capstone PTC Spinal System
• Clydesdale PTC Spinal System
• Anatomic Peek PTC Cervical Fusion System
• CornerstoneSR Ti-Coated AnatomicalCervical Cage
• DIVERGENCE Anterior Cervical Fusion System
Physicians already disapprove of Obama's new 'Ebola czar'
Former White House advisor Ron Klain reports Wednesday for his first active day as Ebola response coordinator and physicians already disapprove, according to a recent poll conducted by Sermo, a healthcare social network just for physicians. Of 715 physicians, 79 percent did not approve of Mr. Klain as the Ebola czar.
More articles on spine:
Will spine payments be capped?
Is cervical spine surgery cost-effective? The jury is still out — 5 things to know
Dr. Wade Ceola to join High Mountain Brain and Spinal Surgery Center at Valley View