Guardian Liberty Voice August 18, 2014 Every year, Americans spend at least $50 billion on treating and caring for low back pain, which is the primary cause of job-related disability and missed work hours, according to the National Institute of Health. While back treatments, such as surgery, medicine, exercise, chiropractic care, and alternative health care, […]
Becker’s Spine Review Laura Dyrda – Monday, August 18th, 2014 Surgeons in China performed the first spinal disc replacement implanting a three-dimensional printed vertebra, according to a CNTV report. The 3D printing technology uses digital models of a patient’s anatomy to construct a “printed” customized implant in almost any material. While the overall 3D printing […]
Written by Laura Dyrda | Friday, 01 August 2014 An article recently published in the Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine examines the medical management of lumbar spine disease to find cost and quality value two years after surgery. The researchers examined 50 patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis, 50 patients with stenosis and 50 patients with disc herniation. […]
The Center For Investigative Reporting Jul 03, 2014 Christina Jewett Health and Welfare Reporter Will Evans Government Oversight Reporter Story Source Doctors in Southern California have implanted counterfeit screws and rods, ginned up in a small machine shop, into the backs of thousands of injured workers, according to lawsuits filed throughout the state. Some doctors […]
Interventional Pain Medicine ISSUE: JUNE 2014 | VOLUME: 12(6) Novel National Registry Measures Lumbar Surgery Effectiveness Lumbar surgery is effective 12 months after in all but 13.8% of patients—a statistic obtained, along with predictors of poor outcome, from the National Neurosurgery Quality and Outcomes Database (N2QOD), a two-year-old, nationwide, prospective, longitudinal outcomes registry that spans […]
Carl M. Shapiro, DO Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics of North America Volume 25, Issue 2, May 2014, Pages 319–340 This link only shows the KEY POINTS and part of the INTRODUCTION. Impressive nevertheless. Journal Reference
Indian Journal of Orthopedic Surgery Year : 2014 | Volume : 48 | Issue : 2 | Page : 127-135 Ashutosh B Sabnis, Ashish D Diwan Abstract Herniation of nucleus pulposus leading to leg pain is the commonest indication for lumbar spine surgery. However, there is no consensus when to stop conservative treatment and when […]
Two-year comprehensive medical management of degenerative lumbar spine disease (lumbar spondylolisthesis, stenosis, or disc herniation): a value analysis of cost, pain, disability, and quality of life. Parker SL, et al. J Neurosurg Spine. 2014 May 2. [Epub ahead of print] Abstract Object Current health care reform calls for a reduction of procedures and treatments that […]
By BEN EISLER CBS NEWS April 24, 2014, 6:30 AM Back pain is one of the most common reasons Americans go to the doctor, and one of the fastest growing treatments is spinal fusion surgery. From 2001 to 2011, the number of spinal fusions in U.S. hospitals increased 70 percent, making them more frequently performed […]
Truumees E. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2014 Apr 22. [Epub ahead of print] Abstract In ancient times, a supernatural understanding of the syndrome of lumbar radiculopathy often involved demonic forces vexing the individual with often crippling pain. The ancient Greeks and Egyptians began to take a more naturalistic view and, critically, suspected a relationship between […]
Lumbar fusion compared with conservative treatment in patients with chronic low back pain: a meta-analysis Saltychev, Mikhail; Eskola, Merja; Laimi, Katri International Journal of Rehabilitation Research March 2014 Vol. 37 – Issue 1: p 2–8 Abstract We assess the effect of lumbar fusion (LF) in reducing disability among patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) […]
Int J Rehabil Res. 2014 Mar;37(1):2-8. doi: 10.1097/MRR.0b013e328363ba4b. Mikhail Saltychev 1, Merja Eskola, Katri Laimi PMID: 23820296 DOI: 10.1097/MRR.0b013e328363ba4b Abstract We assess the effect of lumbar fusion (LF) in reducing disability among patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) compared with conservative treatment and to weigh the clinical significance of this effect. We conducted a […]
Published: Mar 4, 2014 | Updated: Mar 4, 2014 By John Fauber, Reporter, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/MedPage Today Medtronic said about 1,000 people have sued the company over its bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) product, Infuse, and that many more lawsuits may be coming. In addition, several states now are looking into sales and marketing practices involving Infuse, which […]
A 5-year follow-up study Maarit Pakarinen, MD The Spine Journal Available online 30 January 2014 Abstract Background context In lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) conservative treatment is usually the first choice of treatment. If conservative treatment fails, surgery is indicated. Psychological factors such as depression and anxiety are known to affect the outcome of surgery. Previous […]
Spine: 01 January 2014 – Volume 39 – Issue 1 – p 3–16 doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000000088 Randomized Trial Surgical Versus Nonoperative Treatment for Lumbar Disc Herniation: Eight-Year Results for the Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial Lurie, Jon D. MD, MS Abstract Study Design. Concurrent prospective randomized and observational cohort studies. Objective. To assess the 8-year outcomes […]
Michael J. Lee, MD The Spine Journal: Available online 16 November 2013: In Press Abstract Background Context The possibility and likelihood of a post-operative medical complication after spine surgery undoubtedly play a major role in the decision making of the surgeon and patient alike. While prior study has determined Relative Risk and Odds Ratio values […]
Gijsbert M. Overdevest, MD The Spine Journal: Available online 5 November 2013: In Press Abstract Background context In patients with sciatica due to a lumbar disc herniation, it is generally recommended to reserve surgical treatment for those who suffer from intolerable pain or those who demonstrate persistent symptoms after conservative management. Controversy exists about the […]
Long-term follow-up of three randomized controlled trials Anne F. Mannion, PhD The Spine Journal: Available online 5 November 2013: In Press Abstract Background context Chronic low back pain (cLBP) represents a major challenge to our health care systems. The relative efficacy of surgery over nonoperative treatment for the treatment of cLBP remains controversial, and little […]
Brook I. Martin, PhD, MPH The Spine Journal: Available online 7 November 2013: In Press Abstract Background context In response to increasing use of lumbar fusion for improving back pain, despite unclear efficacy, particularly among injured workers, some insurers have developed limited coverage policies. Washington State’s workers’ compensation (WC) program requires imaging confirmation of instability […]
Camilo A. Molina, BA, The Spine Journal Volume 13, Issue 11, November 2013, Pages 1434–1437 Abstract Background context Spine-related health-care expenditures accounted for $86 billion dollars in 2005, a 65% increase from 1997. However, when adjusting for inflation, surgeons have seen decreased reimbursement rates over the last decade. Purpose To assess contribution of surgeon fees […]