In a prior blog, the recent FDA-approval of the Bryan Cervical Disc ™ was announced. One of the advantages of this device and cervical arthroplasty, as a spine surgical treatment for degenerative disc disease, is that patients can return to work and their normal activities in a relatively short period of time. Generally, this time period is quicker when compared to a spinal fusion – which is the current standard spine surgical treatment to this newer procedure and technology. At this time, spinal fusion is the standard surgical treatment.

A study recently published in Neurosurgery, concluded that patients that underwent cervical arthroplasty returned to work on average about three months sooner than those patients that underwent a spinal fusion and cervical discectomy. The patients who received the cervical artificial disc returned to work in a median time frame of 101 days following their spine surgery (cervical arthroplasty) as compared to 222 days in the group that underwent the spinal fusion and cervical discectomy.  

Another session at the continuing medical education symposium “Back Talk” will highlight case studies.  With these case studies, conference attendees will review specific patient complaints of neck and back pain, and the recommended diagnostic studies.  Spinal imaging studies will be reviewed and radiological findings will be highlighted.  Additionally, the facilitators of this educational session will review different applicable minimally invasive treatment options based on the clinical and radiological results.  A few minimally invasive treatment options that will be discussed will include radiofrequency, IDET and percutaneous discectomy. 

A few weeks ago,  Anne Marie Tiernon - news anchor with WTHR, interviewed me about the recent FDA-approval of the Bryan™ Cervical Disc.  This story aired on June 9, and here is the link to this story. 

As mentioned in previous blogs, I have been involved in the clinical trials for this device, and implanted the first Bryan Cervical Disc in the United States.  This procedure was done at St.Vincent Hospital, and was performed with Kenneth Renkens, MD.  Dr. Renkens is a neurosurgical spine surgeon, also with Indiana Spine Group.  

Additionally, cervical arthroplasty patient Kevin Wacasey was interviewed in this story.  Kevin received the first Cervical Disc in the United States in 2002.  Today, he is doing great!  He enjoys spending time with his teenage son, golfing, fishing and other hobbies. 

This break out session, at the continuing medical education symposium “Back Talk”, will focus on spine and sports. It is estimated that 20% of all injuries that occur in sports involve the lower back or neck. During this session, Dr. Paul Kraemer a spine surgeon with Indiana Spine Group, and Nate Blume, DC, a chiropractic physician will highlight common spinal injuries that result from organized and recreational sports; i.e. football, basketball, golf. They will discuss assessment guidelines and treatment protocols for spinal injuries resulting from sports. Additionally, initial on-site assessment and treatment, as well as recommendation guidelines for ‘continuing to play’ will be discussed during this medical education session.

In a recent blog entry, Indiana Spine Group announced the FDA approval of the Bryan™ Cervical Disc. This cervical artificial disc, provides spine surgeons an alternative device for implantation when performing cervical arthroplasty.  In 2007, the Prestige Disc received FDA approval. In a recent press release, Dr. Rick Sasso stated that “The Bryan Cervical Disc more closely mimics natural spine disc movement with shock absorbing characteristics than a previously approved device.”

Indiana Spine Group is excited to announce that we are one of the providers of this latest technology. At this time, physicians with Indiana Spine Group are the only ones using the Bryan Cervical Disc in cervical arthroplasty in Indiana. 
 

Dr. Rick Sasso, a spine surgeon with Indiana Spine Group, was a principal investigator in the clinical trials for the Bryan Cervical Disc.  Additionally, Dr. Kenneth Renkens was an investigator in this trial. Dr. Renkens is a neurosurgical spine surgeon with Indiana Spine Group. 

To learn more about the Bryan Cervical Disc, click here.  
 

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 317.228.7000 or
toll-free 866.947.7463.    

It has been said – that work can cause headaches – but it can also be said that work can be a pain in the back! Well maybe the work does not create back pain, but how you sit at your desk can result in back pain.

This spine wellness blog entry will provide a few tips for avoiding back pain, while sitting at your desk.

• Have your chair at the proper height; your feet should be flat on the floor and your knees should bend at a 90-degree angle.
• When you are talking on the phone, avoid bending your neck to cradle the phone against your shoulder.
• Avoid leaning over your desk for a long period of time.  If possible, try taking breaks and stretching.
• Sit with your back supported.

Indiana Spine Group has three minimally invasive spine specialists treating patients with back and neck pain.  The goal of minimally invasive spine specialists is to diagnose the cause of a patient’s neck / back pain – and to treat this cause. Many times medical management and/or minimally invasive spine treatments can effectively eliminate a patient’s neck or back pain.

To learn more about our minimally invasive spine specialists, Kevin Macadaeg, MD, Jonathan Gentile, MD, and John Arbuckle, MD, visit their biographies. Additionally, their videos provide insight into their treatment philosophy and expertise. 

For more information about Indiana Spine Group or to schedule an appointment call:  (317) 228-7000 or toll-free (866) 947-7463.

On Monday, Anne Marie Tiernon - news anchor with WTHR, interviewed Dr. Rick Sasso about the recent FDA-approval of the Bryan™ Cervical Disc. This story aired on June 9, and here is the link to this story. 

Dr. Rick Sasso, a principal investigator in the Bryan Cervical Disc clinical trial, implanted the first Bryan Cervical Disc in the United States. This procedure was done at St.Vincent Hospital, and was performed with Kenneth Renkens, MD. Dr. Renkens, also involved with this clinical trial, is a neurosurgical spine surgeon with Indiana Spine Group.

Additionally, cervical arthroplasty patient Kevin Wacasey was interviewed in this story. Kevin received the first Bryan Cervical Disc in the United States in 2002. Today, he is doing great! He enjoys spending time with his teenage son, golfing, fishing and other hobbies. 

A second concurrent session at Back Talk, the continuing medical education symposium will focus on spinal fractures and the treatment options for spinal fractures. With the aging population, the incidence of age-specific spinal fractures is expected to increase. One study estimated that vertebral compression fractures affects 25% of post-menopausal women.

This session will be presented by Kevin Macadaeg, MD, a minimally invasive spine specialist with Indiana Spine Group. At this session, he will discuss:

• How to recognize the symptoms, assess and diagnose osteoporotic spinal fractures. 
• Discuss the indications for medical management and interventional therapies.
• Highlight vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty for the treatment of vertebral compression fractures.
• Review the indications and treatment of sacroplasty for sacral fractures. 

A few concurrent sessions at Back Talk, will address The Aging Spine. One session, entitled The Aging Spine | Osteoporosis and Spinal Arthritis Update, will be presented by Michael Stack, MD, PhD.  Dr. Stack is a board-certified rheumatologist with Diagnostic Rheumatology & Research. 

During this continuing medical education session, Dr. Stack will provide the latest information on osteoporosis and spinal arthritis. This will include:

• The latest screening, diagnostic and treatment algorithms for osteopenia and osteoporosis.
• Indications and contra-indications of medications and hormone replacement therapy to prevent and treat osteoporosis. 
• The symptoms, diagnostic triage and current treatment options for spinal arthritis. 

The second day of Back Talk, the continuing medical education symposium for physicians and health care practitioners, will provide a series of concurrent sessions where attendees will choose which topics they would like to attend. There are four series of sessions that will address specific diagnoses, overall spine wellness, discuss minimally invasive spine treatments including spinal cord stimulator and verteboplasty as well spine surgery treatments. Additionally, case studies will be reviewed. For a complete continuing medical education agenda, click here. 

It has been said – that work can sometimes cause headaches – but it can also be said that work can be a pain in the back! Well maybe the work does not create back pain, but how you sit at your desk can result in back pain.

This spine wellness blog entry will provide a few tips for avoiding back pain, while sitting at your desk.

• Have your chair at the proper height; your feet should be flat on the floor and your knees should bend at a 90-degree angle.
• When you are talking on the phone, avoid bending your neck to cradle the phone against your shoulder.
• Avoid leaning over your desk for a long period of time.  If possible, try taking breaks and stretching.
• Sit with your back supported.

One treatment for ongoing back pain following spine surgery - sometimes referred to as failed back syndrome, is a spinal cord stimulator. A spinal cord stimulator uses electrical impulses to help relieve chronic back pain. Previous blog entries have highlighted this procedure. 

Dr. Jonathan Gentile, MD, a minimally invasive spine specialist with Indiana Spine Group, implants spinal cord stimulators - when indicated -  in patients suffering from failed back syndrome. To watch him discuss this procedure, click here. 

As summer approaches – and people are planning their road trips.  This blog entry provides a few spine wellness tips for travelers.  Driving can literally be a pain in the back.  Research has shown that driving can result in back pain.  This is caused by the fixed position combined with motion, vibrations and the swaying of your automobile.

As travel costs increase, most people find that if they are flying, they are flying coach. The good news is the savings – the bad news is the space. Sometimes – you may feel like a “sardine” in a can. Depending on the duration of your flight, these close quarters can result in back or neck pain. 

This spine wellness tip provides a few hints to avoid neck and back pain.

·         To help avoid back pain – support your lower back. To do this, roll two airline blankets or take two pillows, and place them on each side of your lower back. This will provide lower back support. 

·         To help avoid neck pain – use an inflatable pillow – place this around your neck if you are sleeping. 

Another spine wellness tip while flying is to try to keep the space under the seat in front of you clear. This will allow you to stretch your legs. If this is not possible, then place your
item(s) in the middle, and place your legs on each side. 

Brochures for Back Talk, Indiana Spine Groups continuing medical education symposium, have been mailed.  If you have not received a brochure, and would like to receive one – please call (317) 228-7000, or email your request to info@indianaspinegroup.com.  Registrations are now being taken for this medical education program. 

One of the videos on the updated educational resource section of Indiana Spine Group’s web site is about back pain. In this video, minimally interventional spine  specialist John Arbuckle, MD, defines spinal/back pain, and he provides an overview of diagnosing back pain and treatment. To view this spine wellness education video on spinal / back pain, click here.