Indiana Spine Group

The annual meeting of the Cervical Spine Research Society, was in early December and I had the opportunity to present on a number of clinical studies, they were as follows:

“The fate of a delayed union following an ACDF: A post-hoc analysis of data from a prospective, multicenter trial.” Cervical Spine Research Society 39^th Annual Meeting. Presented by Michael Kelly MD. December 9, 2011. Scottsdale, Arizona.

“Perioperative complication rates associated with surgical treatment based on a prospective multicenter study of 302 patients.” Cervical Spine Research Society 39^th Annual Meeting. Presented by Justin Smith MD. December 10, 2011. Scottsdale, Arizona.

“Impact of early and late complications on patient outcomes following surgical treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy based on a prospective multicenter study: The AO Spine North America CSM study.” Cervical Spine Research Society 39^th Annual Meeting. December 10, 2011. Scottsdale, Arizona.

“Long-term differences in dysphagia between cervical arthroplasty and anterior cervical fusion.” Cervical Spine Research Society 39^th Annual Meeting. Presented by Scott Bassuener MD. December 10, 2011. Scottsdale, Arizona.

Also during the meeting I served as a faculty member and took part in a debate forum wherein appropriate indications for anterior vs. posterior approaches for the surgical treatment of cervical radiculopathy were presented and discussed:

“Foraminotomy for spondylotic radiculopathy-Con.” Current controversies
in posterior cervical reconstruction.”

The Cervical Spine Research Society is a premier international society for the study of disorders of the cervical spine.

During the early part of December, I had the privilege of being a visiting professor at NYU. I lectured for the New York University Hospital Joint Division of Spine Surgery on the following topics: “Intraoperative Spinal Navigation” and “Upper Cervical Spine Trauma.”

Intraoperative Spinal Navigation is basically the GPS system in the operating room that allows us to see anatomical structures in 3 dimension on a computer screen and navigate or see our instruments in relation to anatomical structures.

The information given during the Upper Cervical Spine Trauma presentation included the diagnostic evaluation and treatment of upper cervical injuries for the occiput to C2.

In a prior blog entry, I highlighted a meeting the IMAST continuing education meeting that I participated in late this summer. (link to prior blog entry). At this meeting, a few talks/topics that I presented or facilitated discussion on included:

·         A paper that I co-authored on Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy Study: Perioperative Complication Rates Associated with Surgical Treatment Based on a Prospective Multicenter Study of 302 Patients

·         At a debate on Multilevel Cervical Stenosis in the Straight Spine: Optimal Treatment, I presented the viewpoint of Anterior Decompression, Instrumentation and Fusion as the optimum spine surgical treatment.

·         I also moderated an instructional lecture on Options in Cervical Motion.

This November, a few chapters that I co-authored on spinal navigation were included in the Handbook of Spine Surgery published by Thieme Publishers. This book is a continuing medical education resource for spine surgeons. One chapter was on Spinal Navigation, which was included in the “Clinical Spine Surgery” section of the book. The other chapter in the “Surgical Techniques” section was on Facet Screw Fixation/Fusion.

This spine surgery educational book provides principles and techniques of spine surgery. Included in the book are sections on clinical spine anatomy, clinical spine surgery, spinal pathology and surgical techniques.

For more information or to order this spine surgical educational resource, visit this link.

Late this summer, I was a faculty member at a physician education meeting sponsored by the Scoliosis Research Society. This meeting was the 18^th International Meeting on Advanced Spine Techniques (IMAST), held in Copenhagen, Denmark. 

This IMAST meeting includes spine surgeons who are leaders in the field of research and advance spine technologies, for all areas of the all areas of spine (cervical, thoracic, and lumbar), most spinal conditions (degenerative, trauma, deformity, tumor), and a variety of treatment techniques. It is an honor to be asked to participate.

         The continuing medical education objectives of this meeting were to:

·         Assess the most recent advances in surgical techniques for the treatment of spinal disorders and when to use them, in the interest of providing optimal patient care.

·         Analyze the indications and potential complications for various spine fixation systems including spinal arthroplasty.

·         Recognize emerging technology that has the potential to improve patient outcomes for specific indications and populations.

I recently co-authored a chapter on Cervical Arthroplasty. This chapter was included in the book Advanced Reconstruction: Spine edited by Jeffrey Wang and published by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and North American Spine Society.

This continuing medical education book highlights the way that spine surgeons handle complicated spine surgical cases. Chapters provide detailed step-by-step guidelines on spine surgical procedures. In addition to surgical guidelines for each procedure – this medical education resource also provides indications, contraindications, alternate treatment, results, surgical techniques and post operative information for the procedures.

In addition to the chapter on cervical arthroplasty, there are over 60 spine surgical procedures addressed. A few other spine surgical procedures in the book include Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion, Cervical Laminectomy and Fusion and Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion. To review the complete table of contents, visit this link.

For more information or to purchase this book, visit this link.

Indiana Spine Group announces their new expanded physical therapy services. In addition to providing spinal therapy, our physical therapy specialists also provide diagnosis-based educational programs to teach patients the proper way to exercise with their given diagnosis. Additionally, wellness programs and classes will soon be available.

 
Physical therapy services are provided at our Indianapolis and Carmel locations. At our new Carmel location, we feature a state-of-the-art physical therapy gym, with equipment selected specifically for treating spinal conditions. 

Patients are seen with a referral from their physician, or self-referrals with a physicians order. For more information, or to schedule an appointment call (317) 228-7000.

This blog entry is part of a series of interview responses provided by Kevin Macadaeg, MD, a minimally invasive spine specialist with Indiana Spine Group. Dr. Macadaeg was recently interview about back pain and spinal treatments.

Is it difficult, or tricky to know how to treat back/neck pain? Is it something that is difficult to measure or quantify?

It is widely stated that more than half of all cases of back or neck pain are non-specific, meaning that they cannot be clearly defined. This takes into consideration the multitude of tests available, including history, physical, MRI, CT scan, bone scan, and EMG.

In December, Paul Kraemer, MD, is a featured Guest Guru on wcguru.com. Dr. Kraemer is a spine surgeon with Indiana Spine Group.
 

WCGURU is an online resource for worker’s compensation specialists, providing news, resources and information. As a guest guru, Dr. Kraemer highlights his treatment philosophy as well as providing a Top Ten list about Indiana Spine Group’s treatment philosophy and resources for patients, employers and worker compensation professionals.  

This blog entry is part of a series of interview responses provided by Kevin Macadaeg, MD, a minimally invasive spine specialist with Indiana Spine Group. Dr. Macadaeg was recently interview about back pain and spinal treatments.

What are some of the different causes or reasons for chronic neck or back pain? What would you say is the most common cause of back or neck pain?

The most common causes of chronic neck or back pain are degenerative disc disease and degenerative spondylosis (degeneration of the spinal joints, development of bony spurs, disc degeneration and calcification of spinal ligaments).

Other causes include herniated disc, spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal) and spondylolisthesis (slipping of a vertebra).

What are the different options available to treat this type of pain?

Recently Kevin Macadaeg, MD, a minimally invasive spine specialist with Indiana Spine Group was interviewed for a magazine article about back pain and spinal treatments. The following few blogs will highlight responses to the questions asked by the reporter.

What is chronic pain, and how is it different than acute pain?

Acute pain is considered “physiologic.” That means it is present when there is an underlying problem such as an acute injury, certain sicknesses and diseases. This type of pain is usually self-limited, and resolves when the underlying primary problem is healed.

Chronic pain is considered “non-physiologic.” It is present despite the fact that the underlying problem has healed or stabilized. Examples include peripheral neuropathy, degenerative disc disease, arthritis and cancer. Chronic pain commonly has associated emotional effects including depression, anger, anxiety; and physical effects including loss of appetite, weight gain or loss.

Please join us, as we celebrate the grand opening of Indiana Spine Group's
new Carmel facility. Thiscelebration will include tours, health information,
refreshments and giveaways.

November 19, Saturday | 2 - 5 p.m. | 13225 N. Meridian Street, Carmel, IN 46032

(located east of Meridian at W. Main and Pennsylvania Avenue)

Our new Carmel facility provides comprehensive spine care in one centralized location. This includes:

• Patient diagnostics and treatment,
• Physical Therapy,
• Imaging Center,
• North Meridian Surgery Center,
• Medical Academic Center,
• Cafe, and more.

For more information, call (317) 228-7000 or send an email to info@indianaspinegroup.com.

On a prior blog entry, I highlighted a few talks i facilitated at the annual continuing medical education meeting of the Lumbar Spine Research Society (LSRS). This society is dedicated to the sharing of scientific information related to the surgical management of disorders affecting the lumbar spine.

The mission of the Lumbar Spine Research Society is "Through the promotion and discussion of research, to advance our knowledge and understanding of the lumbar spine; its physiology, pathology, and treatment; in order to improve patient care."

For more information about this educational society, visit their web site at this link.

Earlier this year, I was asked to present at the fourth annual meeting of the Lumbar Spine Research Society.

At this meeting, held in Chicago, I facilitated the discussions on the following papers: 

• the “Functional Outcomes and Height Restoration For Patients With Multiple Myeloma–Related Osteolytic Vertebral Compression Fractures Treated With Kyphoplasty”
• “The  The Effect of the Alpha‐2 Agonist Brimonidine on Intraocular Pressure During Prone Spine Surgery”

A recent reader submitted a billing question about spine surgery.To have specific insurance, self pay and billing questions answered to please call (317) 228 -7000 and ask to speak to the billing specialist.

In May, I had the honor of being an invited faculty member at the 4^th Annual Dubai Spine Masters continuing medical education program. This “Spine Trauma Masters Update” was held in Dubai, and included  spine surgeons from 70 different countries who are leaders in spinal trauma.

At this meeting, I lectured on the Rationale and Overview of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery in Spinal Trauma, and Balloon Assisted Endplate Reconstruction (BAER) for TL Burst Fractures. I also moderated a case discussion on thoracolumbar spine trauma.

In this blog, I included a picture of the Health Minister of the United Arab Emirates. At this meeting, he gave the opening address and welcomed the attendees.

Congratulations to Rick Sasso, MD, a spine surgeon with Indiana Spine Group, on his recent patent assignment. This patent, filed in 2007 was approved in September 2011. US Patent number 8.016,831 is for” instruments and techniques for guiding instruments to a spinal column.”

This patent is related to spine surgery instrumentation and  techniques for anterior cervical discectomy and spinal fusion, as well as safely and accurately placing cervical artificial discs replacements into the intradiscal space. For more detail about this patent, visit this link.