Here are seven things for spine surgeons to know for Thursday, March 28, 2013.
Dr. George Rappard to serve as principal investigator in MIS trial.
George Rappard, MD, founder of the Los Angeles Minimally Invasive Spine Institute, is serving as the principal investigator of a Medtronic-sponsored clinical trial studying the Device for Intervertebral Assisted Motion as a minimally invasive alternative for back pain treatment. DIAM is designed to act as a shock absorber and function as a minimally invasive alternative to traditional spinal fusion.
Study Finds MRIs over-prescribed for lumbar spine pain.
A research letter, published online in JAMA Internal Medicine, stated that in a study of 1,000 requests for MRIs of the lumbar spine, nearly half were ordered for indications considered inappropriate or of uncertain value.
K2M launched spine biologic bone graft.
Leesburg, Va.-based K2M has launched a bone graft system, an expansion of its biologics offering. The VENADO Foam Strips and Granules Bone Graft systems come in various sizes and configurations to support bone regeneration.
Discectomy could save $2.1 billion vs. non-surgical treatments.
At the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting 2013, Past President John R. Tongue, MD, moderated a symposium on the economic value of orthopedic surgery. An AAOS-commissioned study including a focus on disc herniation concluded that the net societal savings per person who underwent discectomy was $9,822 during a four-year period, and discectomy for disc herniation could "generate a total net societal savings of $2.1 billion" when compared with non-surgical treatment.
Surgeons want spine implant price transparency.
At the 2013 AAOS Annual Meeting, researchers presented the results of a study of 45 academic medical centers' spinal implant purchasing records, focusing on anterior cervical plates, pedicle screws and posterior interbody cages.The study found a noteworthy correlation between lower implant costs and higher volume purchases. Samuel Bederman, MD, an assistant clinical professor of orthopedic surgery at the University of California Irvine Health and co-author of the study, advocates for more transparency from insurance companies about implant prices across different providers to sustain surgical services.
Zimmer Holdings no longer investigated by the federal government.
Warsaw, Ind.-based Zimmer Holdings received letters of declination from the U.S. Department of Justice and Securities Exchange Commission, ending a five-year investigation into its marketing and sales practices outside of the country.
Guidelines released for cervical spine and spinal cord injuries.
The Congress of Neurological Surgeons and the American Association of Neurological Surgeons released the first new set of acute cervical spine and spinal cord injury focused guidelines in the past decade. The guidelines now recommend against using steroids in the first 24 to 48 hours that an acute spinal cord injury occurs.
More Articles on Spine:
7 Orthopedic Practices Expanding or Merging
5 Qualities of Effective Spine Surgeon Leaders in Profitable Practices
Discectomy for Disc Herniation Could Save $2.1 Billion Over Non-Surgical Treatment
George Rappard, MD, founder of the Los Angeles Minimally Invasive Spine Institute, is serving as the principal investigator of a Medtronic-sponsored clinical trial studying the Device for Intervertebral Assisted Motion as a minimally invasive alternative for back pain treatment. DIAM is designed to act as a shock absorber and function as a minimally invasive alternative to traditional spinal fusion.
Study Finds MRIs over-prescribed for lumbar spine pain.
A research letter, published online in JAMA Internal Medicine, stated that in a study of 1,000 requests for MRIs of the lumbar spine, nearly half were ordered for indications considered inappropriate or of uncertain value.
K2M launched spine biologic bone graft.
Leesburg, Va.-based K2M has launched a bone graft system, an expansion of its biologics offering. The VENADO Foam Strips and Granules Bone Graft systems come in various sizes and configurations to support bone regeneration.
Discectomy could save $2.1 billion vs. non-surgical treatments.
At the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting 2013, Past President John R. Tongue, MD, moderated a symposium on the economic value of orthopedic surgery. An AAOS-commissioned study including a focus on disc herniation concluded that the net societal savings per person who underwent discectomy was $9,822 during a four-year period, and discectomy for disc herniation could "generate a total net societal savings of $2.1 billion" when compared with non-surgical treatment.
Surgeons want spine implant price transparency.
At the 2013 AAOS Annual Meeting, researchers presented the results of a study of 45 academic medical centers' spinal implant purchasing records, focusing on anterior cervical plates, pedicle screws and posterior interbody cages.The study found a noteworthy correlation between lower implant costs and higher volume purchases. Samuel Bederman, MD, an assistant clinical professor of orthopedic surgery at the University of California Irvine Health and co-author of the study, advocates for more transparency from insurance companies about implant prices across different providers to sustain surgical services.
Zimmer Holdings no longer investigated by the federal government.
Warsaw, Ind.-based Zimmer Holdings received letters of declination from the U.S. Department of Justice and Securities Exchange Commission, ending a five-year investigation into its marketing and sales practices outside of the country.
Guidelines released for cervical spine and spinal cord injuries.
The Congress of Neurological Surgeons and the American Association of Neurological Surgeons released the first new set of acute cervical spine and spinal cord injury focused guidelines in the past decade. The guidelines now recommend against using steroids in the first 24 to 48 hours that an acute spinal cord injury occurs.
More Articles on Spine:
7 Orthopedic Practices Expanding or Merging
5 Qualities of Effective Spine Surgeon Leaders in Profitable Practices
Discectomy for Disc Herniation Could Save $2.1 Billion Over Non-Surgical Treatment