Physicians with Indiana Spine Group are actively involved in research.  The goals of the research that they participate in are to develop minimally invasive surgical techniques, and to identify and develop minimally invasive procedures that allow the patients to return to normal activities as quickly as possible.

A few research projects that Indiana Spine Group has participated in include:

Lumbar Disc Implant – Drs. Rick Sasso (a spine surgeon with Indiana Spine Group) and Kenneth Renkens (a neurosurgical spine surgeon with Indiana Spine Group) participated in the FlexiCore lumbar disc study.  Used to treat degenerative disc disease, the lumbar disc implant replaces the damaged disc. This procedure is an alternative to a spinal fusion.

Percutaneous Reference Frame (PRF) – Dr. Rick Sasso developed this devise that improves the capability for spine surgeons to perform minimally invasive spine surgery.  By the use of an infrared camera and the PRF - this allows spine surgeons exact placement of spine surgical instruments – with less of an incision. This technology has been referred to as “global positioning of instrumentation” – and it works similar to the GPS technology used in cars.

Cervical Artificial Disc – Drs. Rick Sasso and Kenneth Renkens also participated in the study for the Bryan Cervical Disc, and performed the first cervical artificial disc implant in North America in 2002.  This cervical artificial disc has received preliminary approval from the FDA last summer. 

Electrothermal Disc Decompression (EDD) and Intradiscal Elctrothermal Therapy (IDET) Studies – Dr. Kevin Macadaeg, a minimally invasive spine specialist with Indiana Spine Group, participated in this study that evaluated the effectiveness of EDD and IDET to treat lower back pain and sciatica.  These treatments use a heat coil, which is inserted via a catheter in the disc of the spine.

Minimally invasive spine therapies are one treatment option for spine problems and disorders.  At this session, case studies will be highlighted and the minimally invasive therapies used for treatment discussed.  Also included will be the decision triage for the applicable treatment modalities.  A few minimally invasive spine treatments that will be discussed include radiofrequency rhizotomy, percutaneous discectomy and IDET. 

One newer treatment option for lower back pain is Intradiscal Electrothermal Therapy (IDET).  This minimally invasive treatment uses heat energy delivered to the affected disc.  During the procedure, a heat coil is inserted into the disc of the spine by the use of a catheter that is guided by X-ray.  The coil is heated to a temperature slightly below that of boiling water.  This heat energy destroys the nerve endings that have been found to grow inside of painful, torn discs, therefore eliminating the cause of the back pack.

This minimally invasive IDET procedure is used for the treatment of lower back pain that is a result of spinal disc damage (tears or small herniations in the lumbar disc).  Prior to the procedure, testing is performed to clearly identify the affected disc and to confirm the diagnosis. 

Another session on spinal therapeutics will focus on minimally invasive treatment options.  For this session, Dr. John Arbuckle will provide an overview of the different treatment options and discuss their effectiveness.  Dr. Arbuckle is a minimally invasive spine specialist with Indiana Spine Group.

Presentation objectives include:

·        Review of back and neck diagnoses clinically appropriate for minimally interventional treatments.

·        Guidelines, indications and efficacy for specific treatments, including spinal injections, percutaneous discectomy, radiofrequency rhizotomy, IDET and nucleoplasty.

Spinal therapeutics is the term used to treat spinal pain and disorders that is non-surgical.  In approximately 80% of the time, non-surgical treatment is effective – depending upon the diagnosis.

Spinal therapeutics is divided into two categories and these are medical and minimally invasive treatments.  Types of medical treatments include physical therapy, bracing and medications.  Types of minimally invasive treatments include the spinal injections, IDET, radiofrequency rhizotomy and nuceloplasty. 

In upcoming blog entries – we will review some of the common treatments, and when they would be recommended by your physician.